Christmas 2011....in SERIOUSLY RANDOM order

 You are thinking, "Gee-Whiz Gina another old post?  Christmas was 4 months ago."  I say, "Yup, I am only 4 months behind - fantastic."  After looking through this post you might say, "Wow, Gina this was super random and out of order."  I will say, "Too bad....it is better than nothing" :)

 My little family at the annual Christmas Light parade in Longview.  I should have taken a picture in the beginning before they were freezing (NOTE: bring big, warm blankets next year).  I know they looked totally ticked off, but we did have a lot of fun.  The parade was super long and they had a cool tree lighting ceremony at the end.

 reindeer semi

 SANTA!!

 We didn't go with our friends, but we ran in to a bunch of them!!!

 Corey, John, Travis and cold kids

 I get to go on some of Corey's business trips with him and my AMAZING mother-in-law watches my  kiddos.  This trip was to the Alderbrook Resort & Spa on the Hood Canal in WA

Here is the website...It is definitely worth the trip!! 

 http://www.alderbrookresort.com

   It was so beautiful and fancy.  It was especially cool because it was all decked out for Christmas.  Above is the view from my room and below...love it when there are fluffy robes to hang out in.

 They had SPECTACULAR Christmas trees all over...here is one

 Oh so pretty...this resort borders Bill Gates compound, supposedly

 this pic does not do the fireplace justice - it was huge and gorgeous

 the view on my walk while Corey was stuck in meetings

 this gingerbread house was CRAZY

 The grinch and his demon girlfriend

Carlie's gingerbread house

Carlie REALLY wanted to put the star on our tree

 the quilt I made my mother-in-law for Christmas - yes I know I am the best daughter-in-law :)

 We went out to eat at this cute little country restaurant in Castle Rock and then went to this SUPERB light show at the house below.  You tune in your radio to the music and watch a 15 minute light show....so cool - especially for a little, tiny town.

 I made a MILLION of these for my santa hat party mix.  It was the best thing I made this season.  SOOOOOOO yummy. If you want to make some go here for the directions.

 Corey eating some Mexican OCTOPUS dish..........nasty!

 I made a TON of treats for the neighbors and Corey's employees....I am crazy.  Here above is the spread for the bus drivers

 Yummy Christmas Eve dinner

 Look at these rad plate my sister in law Kim made for my kiddos!!!!

 Playing the pillow booty animal game...so FUN!!!

MAN, my sister-in-law is HOT!!  Love playing Mexican Trains with my favorite Mexicans.

The left-right game is a Christmas Eve tradition in my family that I started in my husband's family....we have now been doing it for years.

If you want to play go HERE to find out how to play.  We play all together in a BIG circle, kids and adults with cheap presents that only cost 1-3 dollars a piece.

Carlie's Christmas program at school.  She is standing next to the two tallest boys in 1st grade....he...he

Every year (or so we were told by our neighbors) a fire truck goes around the neighborhood blaring his horn followed by a float with Santa throwing candy....how cool.

Christmas Card 2011

Here is our Christmas card this year.  I have not sent out cards in many years.  By the time I would get out of school for Christmas break I was always too busy to send out a Christmas card.  This year I am a stay-at-home mom and found the time to send cards this year.  I really wish I had gotten some professional pics this fall to use for the card, but oh well my amateur ones turned out good enough.  I just wanted to people to see my cute kids and wish them a Merry Christmas.  I also sent out a brief letter to go with the card.

  But, the best part about Christmas cards is receiving them!!!  I LOVED going to the mailbox every day and finding cards from my friends and family.  I love finding out what everyone looks like and what they have been up to.  My family & friends are sooo spread out all over and it is a great way to stay in touch (besides blogging and facebook).  I know it is kinda old fashioned, but  it is definitely one of my favorite things about Christmas.  Here is a pic of how I displayed our cards this year.  I ran out of space and was to lazy to add another line of twine and paint more clothespins so I just doubled up the cards.  It was fun to walk by and look at the cards everyday.  I took down all my Christmas decorations today, but I think I am going to keep this up for another week or two.  Next year, I definitely need to make 3 or 4 rows...so fun!

Buddy the Elf and his Long Lost Sister

Corey's sister has a Christmas party every year and this year we finally could attend!!  You had to dress as your favorite Christmas character.....that was sooooooooo easy for us.  Introducing Buddy the Elf and his long lost sister Buffy.

We also brought two amazing White Elephant Gifts....see pics below.

 A Ghetto Buddy the Elf t-shirt.  I am thinking of giving them as

Christmas gifts next year, watch out!

 

A red neck halter top made lovingly by Corey out of a pair

of his underwear and a bejeweled toilet seat.

Here is Corey smashing this poor guy while playing a game I like to call, "Pillow on your Butt and Three Animal Sounds".

Here is the white elephant I ended up with....not exciting, but actually useful.

Christmas Eve

Here are some photos from Christmas. It was a nice mellow Christmas with NO traveling!! Hooray! For the first time in my teaching career I did NOT want to go back to work at all after Christmas break. I wanted to call my principal and tell him I quit. I love my job, but I love my job as mommy a lot more. Trying to balance a career and my family is the toughest thing in the world. But, at least I get to spend my summers as mommy - a much easier and enjoyable job! :)