Christmas, New Year and Adoption!

Sorry it has been a while since I posted. Lots going on.
Christmas was Great! The kids had a blast and got way too many gifts but they love everything they got!

Our Christmas is always busy and we pretty much stay in the road. We start Christmas Eve and the Perry house! We have early dinner at Annette's and spend as much time with the family as we can!

I was excited to get a picture of all the Perry kids together. This is the first one with them all. I hope that this will become a tradition each year. The kids will be grown and gone before we know it.

Stephanie, Brooke, Garrett, Allie, Blake, Sam and Bud

After we spent a few hours at Annette's, we had to head to Mimi's for our Christmas with the Garrett's.

The kids had a blast opening their gifts. It was so different this year for Sam because she knew exactly what was happening. She could not wait to open gifts. She had to show everyone each gift that she opened. It was so cute.

Garrett opened all his gifts, along with everyone else. We had one more surprise for him to see before we left Mimi's for the night.

He got a four wheeler for Christmas! He was so surprised and excited he could not say anything but WOW! He has been riding it as much as possible since then!

Santa came to the house and brought more gifts! Sam got her walking and talking baby and many more items from Santa. She also got a Jeep and immediately started riding it in the house!

Garrett got some new under armour and a PSP! He was very excited to get everything that he had asked for!

After we get up and see Santa, we have Christmas with Rob's mom, brother and my dad at our house! We have breakfast for everyone and open gifts once again! We squeeze all the chaos in as short of a time as we can! It's really not bad, we have gotten use to the running around.

Most of the family comes down to the house to see what the kids get from Santa! It's really a wonderful time for us all.

After we finished all the gifts, Sam was able to ride her jeep outside. Of course she had to take her new babies with her!

New Years was very low key for us. We stayed the night at home with the kids and mom playing games. We brought in the new year shooting fireworks!

So last week, we had a BIG day that we have been waiting a while for. Garrett is officially a CANON!!!! Rob has adopted him! That was a huge excitement for us all. Garrett is so happy to now be a Canon!

Fun before the Holidays!

We have had many things going on since my last post!

First off, a friend of mine has been asking me for a while to go to Arty Party! It's a night that women get together, drink wine (or whatever they prefer) and paint. I was very nervous, considering I have never really painted before in my life. I have seen photos from the previous parties and was always amazed at the results from everyone! So I went and had a blast! I was very proud of my painting. It looked very difficult when I saw the outline, but the teacher walks you through each step and everyone looks like they have been painting forever.

Here is a picture of my painting and one of everyone that was there. It's amazing how different but same all the paintings look.

The kids got out of school for Christmas break last week! Of course it was a busy week with the Christmas program and school Christmas parties. I was looking forward to watching the kids sing! In years past, Garrett would usually not sing or make the motions. This year, Garrett actually sang and made the motions, I was very pleased!

Sam however, was unable to attend the Christmas program or her Christmas parties because of the dreaded FLU. She started running fever the night before the program so she stayed home with her Dee that day and during the program. So far the rest of us have not gotten it and I hope that we are able to keep it that way.

The kids are getting excited about Christmas and I would have to say, I think that Rob and I are just as excited as they are! 

I hope that the kids, especially Garrett, remember that this season is not just about receiving gifts but also about giving the best gift there is "LOVE".

Have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My favorite time of year! Christmas!!

I love Christmas time!

This year we started a different tradition I hope! Rob and Garrett went out the day before Thanksgiving and found a tree to cut down! It was very big and beautiful! I thought my boys did a wonderful job! We decorated the tree and I was so excited to have it taken care of early this year. Now I just hope that it will hold up until Christmas!! Next year we may have to wait a little longer before cutting down our tree.

Since we got a live tree this year, I had to buy lights and as you can tell  in our pictures below I bought the lights with the white wire, instead of green. Next year these lights will have to be outside and I will have to buy new ones for the tree in the house!

Rob and I took the kids Christmas photos this year in front of our beautiful tree. I am very proud of the outcome of our photos.  Here are the best pictures that we took and we also put them on the Christmas cards this year. 

Garrett and Sam 2010

Garrett

Sam

For the most part, Rob and I took care of Christmas shopping in one weekend! I like to get as much done at one time as possible. It took me a couple of stores to find one of Sam's presents, a doll that walks and talks (over 60 phrases). Once I saw it I was determined to find one for her. I will have to post pictures once Christmas is over of their gifts, since they are already wrapped!

Sam loves to play with dolls and play mommy to them. She also likes to play mommy with anyone that will let her pretend!!

Garrett had a very short list for Christmas this year, which was a big step away from what we have been accustomed to.

I always say that Christmas is not going to be as big as the year before. I don't think I do that very well when the time comes to go shopping. I try not to go overboard with the kids gifts, but I love to see their faces when they get exactly what they want!!

So a couple more weeks before Christmas and all the work and excitement will be once again over for another year.

I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!