Christmas Day Déjà vu

WOW,  can you believe Christmas is over!?!   I always feel a little blue when any day I've been looking forward to is over but it seems doubly so with Christmas. The holiday season is like a whole month (or three months if you're Walmart, or a year if you're some people) of build up and then it's just over in one day. Good thing there is all the fun stuff to play with afterwards because come January, there is nothing to do (unless you ski or snowboard which I am far too out of shape to do anymore).  I can handle the cold and snow for Christmas.  I mean, it helps the season feel traditional and the naturally white washed backdrop of the world is at least enhanced by some sparkly lights.  But in Utah, the snow doesn't stick around just for a white Christmas... no,  it lingers long into March and April and even sometimes May during which it becomes nasty and brown (and some other unappealing colors too) and the bitter cold is just bleak and depressing.  But enough about the next few months of despair. 

When it comes to Christmas I actually love all the anticipation as much as the day itself.  Though I'm sure Kole would disagree.  I know he loves the gifts.  And so it's fun to have an extra big kid around on Christmas day to be as excited and giddy as the little kids.  If only everyone could have seen all their cheery little faces.  But to me, it's not the gifts that make Christmas so special (please don't be offended because I do thank all our family and friends for being so kind and generous.  We were really blessed).  But I feel the specialness comes from the amazing spirit that is everywhere - like the true reason for the season still lives on inside everyone, no matter how deep down it may appear most of the year.  For me, this spirit is practically tangible.  I already miss "the feeling" of Christmas and all that surrounds it. From my perspective, the month between Thanksgiving and Christmas day people are different, a little better, a little kinder, a little more like they should be all year long.  I only hope that I was too.  However, I don't think I have yet mastered the art of fully cherishing the season as much as I should.  I'm sure I complained a little too much about the chaos on the roads and in the stores, or the painful cold, or the mind-boggling struggle to find gifts, or the evaporation of my time, or the amazing depletion of our bank account.  Perhaps in future years I will find a way to really soak up all the blessings of this time of year and find a way to make it feel like the season isn't just flying by with me clinging on for dear life.      

The good thing is, it did feel like we were reliving Christmas morning over and over- probably because we did. First, on Christmas Eve we celebrated and opened gifts with my parents.  We had dinner with them and then went to their church to sing Christmas songs.  Next, on Christmas day we opened gifts at our house with just our little family.  I am amazed at all the mess that is still strewn all over from this one event.  And after bringing home the gifts from our families there is even more to put away- but in our tiny house I am struggling to find a place to put everything.  Anyway, finally we headed to Kole's parents' house and plundered what was left of the presents there.   We also had brunch with even more family members and listened to Kole's brothers "play" rock band on PS2.  I have an embarrassing video involving Kole and Damion and a "No Doubt" song but I decided not to release it on the web.   You both should thank me.  No worries though, there are other pics of everyone here which are equally awkward.  Anyways, good times all around.  We all got sooooo spoiled- not just the kids.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to our families.  You all made our Christmas so special and we love you all very very much. 

Here are some moments in time from our Christmas.

We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and that your new year is all you are hoping for.

Have an amazing 2010.

Interesting

So, yesterday I had to have a minor surgery and was put under anesthesia for the first time in my life. (Don't worry. I am doing fine. All is well.) But it was a very strange experience. I don't know exactly what I thought it would be like, but I would say it was different than what I expected. I am still pretty loopy today so if this post doesn't make sense, that is probably why. They told me I shouldn't drive or make any big decisions for the next 24 hours and they probably should have said not to send things out into cyberspace which can never be taken back. Oh well. Anyways, before the surgery I remember being wheeled into the surgical room and laying there as the anesthesiologist told me he was giving me the stuff to knock me out. I asked how long it would take and he said about ten seconds and jokingly told me to try to fight it. So I started to count to ten in my head and when I got to ten I still wasn't out yet so I felt rather proud of myself (as if I could will myself to stay awake). That stupid feeling must have lasted about one more second because the next thing I know I am back in the recovery room in the middle of a conversation with Kole and my doctor. It's weird that I don't remember waking up. And I find it more than a little strange that I was talking and asking questions and I don't even remember it. The doctor had to tell me things over and over again. Kole says I said some pretty funny stuff- which I won't mention in my blog. I'm embarrassed. Evidently, when I started to come to, the doctor told me I could roll over and talk to Kole but instead I told the doctor "He's not that interesting." I just have to laugh. Poor Kole. That had to dent his ego. The doctor said they must have put some truth serum in the anesthesia but for the life of me I cannot remember why I thought my husband was so boring. I think it will be a long running joke for us. Now he asks me things like "how can I be more interesting for you? If I took up juggling while riding a unicycle, would that make me interesting? And every time I tell him he's funny or strange or something, he replies "... but not interesting." Kole says if I ever have to be put under again he's going to grill me to find out how I really feel about things. I guess maybe he'll get some answers that even I didn't know I felt.

P.S. A very big thank you goes out to Dr. Noorda for taking such good care of me and being ever so patient through my groggy babbling. He's such a good doctor and I really appreciate everything.

Don't we look festive?

Well, the Christmas season is in full swing and that means it is time to attempt a family picture for my Christmas cards. This year, Kole's mom Deb took our pictures. Some years are more successful than others. My own attempts are usually pitiful. This year went pretty well. At least we had a few smiles and it didn't end in tears. That's always a good sign.

Anyway, I am sending out my cards to as many family and friends as I can this week. If you do not get one by the end of the week, this does not mean we have forgotten you or don't love you. Chances are I do not have an updated address for you. Email me at KristyLynnNielsen@hotmail.com and I will gladly send you a card to treasure all season long- until you throw it away before the new year rolls around. I know how it is and I'm not offended. And if you are environmentally friendly, you can just look at the picture highlights below.

Finally a family picture where we are all looking at the camera and smiling. I am amazed. I could practically hear the Hallelujah chorus sounding in the background. Jack has been here almost 2 years and this is the first such picture. This is what is going on our Christmas card. Sorry to spoil the surprise.

Almost good enough for a Christmas card... I guarantee it would have made the cut in years past.
Kole and I rarely get pictures of just the two of us together because who wants to see pictures of us old fogies when the kiddos are so cute. But it is actually nice when I look at us together and remember that I am married to my husband, not my kids. Maybe one day we will look back and think we looked pretty good. That's a big maybe. It is strange to see both of us in the same picture since one of us is usually wielding the camera and trying to get the kids hold still for just one second.

Bribing with suckers made the smiles flow more freely.

Poor Jack, tortured by his sister all the time. Don't trust her innocent looking face. Like she doesn't have the evidence hidden right behind her back.

All tangled up... if only I could keep him restrained.

I guess this means he's had enough. We couldn't get the lights off quick enough.

Have a fun and happy and safe and peaceful and white and wonderful and warm and fuzzy and everything else holiday season. And remember, the joy of the season is not in the presents but in His presence.

Say cheese

Grandma Deb took my kids to get their pictures taken at Bulkley Photography a couple weeks ago. The pictures turned out sooooo cute! And the photographer actually got some shots of them both smiling at the camera. She's a miracle worker. I wish I could upload all the pictures to my blog right now but until then, here is the link if you want to see them.
www.bulkleyphotography.com
Just click to enter site, then client proofing and the passcode is Deb.

Anyways, if anyone needs a good photographer, I would highly recommend this place.

This week in pictures

Get daddy while he's down. Kiss attacks are the best kind.

What kind of crazy looking horse is that?

Get to work, little buddy! You've got a long way to go. Jack loves to use his rake and it is the perfect time of year for it. Finally my kids are getting old enough to use for slave labor around the house.

Mommy's mascara is not a toy... nor is it lipstick. This was a bigger mess than it looks- all over the walls, their toys, the TV and of course their faces- I think Eve just got caught up in Jack's creativity. I can't seem to keep him out of my makeup. He loves to play make-over when I'm not watching. I think having an older sister who is so girly is having some disturbing effects on the kid.

It's a good thing he's so cute.
We've been dog sitting for my parents this week. It's been pretty rough. Cutter is old and slow and easy as can be but if it wasn't for Misty puppy's incredible cuteness I doubt she would survive the week. After being home all day long with the kids and the puppy, I've been threatening to never ever let our family get a dog. The kids have been so hyper with the puppy around. I guess it is good that they are getting lots of exercise running away from her. Even though Misty is still little, she is good at getting the kids to scream in terror as if she's some rabid beast. She likes to bite onto Jack's socks and drag him off the couch or sometimes she just sneak attacks from behind and knocks him down on the floor and then continues licking and tackling him into submission. Poor kid. This should give him some nice phobias to discuss with his therapist when he grows up. There has been lots and lots of yipping from the puppy and squealing from the kids going on. Surprisingly, even after the abuse they keep wanting the dogs to stay forever. I however need a break already. Misty puppy got up five times in the middle of the night last night and had to go outside to potty each time (except for the time she didn't give us warning before leaving us with a nice oozy present in the middle of the floor at 5 in the morning). But all the other times were so much more fun since Kole and I took turns taking her outside and having to stand in the 15 degree weather to ensure she did her business. Now I know that women have an amazing ability to forget the bad parts of having a baby in the house but from what I remember, this is much worse!

But how can I stay mad at that cute puppy face?

Family Time

This last Sunday we had a family dinner at Kole's parent's house to celebrate having all of Kole's brothers together again... even my parents got included. It is so rare to have everyone together lately. Grayson is the only kid living at Kole's parent's house anymore- well, for now. We always joke that it's just a matter of time until one or more will be back. Sam moved into an apartment with his cousin Nick a few months ago so even though he lives in the same town we do we hardly even see him anymore. Keaton recently graduated from basic training in the Army so he got a little time off before he'll be moving to a base near Seattle at the beginning of December. I guess he will stay there before probably being deployed sometime in April. Damion flew in from Washington D.C. where he is usually oh-so-busy volunteering in something to do with politics. OK, I know I should know exactly what he does and who he works for but I just don't- even though I know I've heard the answer over and over.

Anyways, Eve and Jack had cousins from both sides of the family there and they all had lots of fun playing together. But I think Eve and Jack especially enjoyed manipulating Damion and Keaton into doing whatever they wanted them to. Eve likes to play hard to get at first before she clobbers them and demands they do her bidding. I saw Eve and Damion doing lots of dancing and twirling together. I highly doubt that was Damion's idea. He really is a softy for her. She sometimes tells me how she's going to marry Damion someday. Why does she always want to marry family members? Hopefully he, and all the other brothers, won't still be available when she's old enough. I know Deb is praying pretty hard.

Here are Damion, Keaton and Jack... with the most annoying toy bird ever. Jack loves it and wants to make it "talk" over and over and over and over. Should have gotten packed away with the rest of the Halloween decorations. If I hear "the end is near" one more time...













Eve LOVES her new red dress from Grandma Deb which she got to wear when Grandma took her to Disney's Princesses on Ice. Since this is her new favorite outfit, she rarely takes it off (we usually have to bribe her or tackle her amidst tears, kicking and screaming). At least it is almost Christmas and it looks pretty festive.


















Jack just wants to be one of the boys playing video games.














Eve and Brooklyn- they've probably made some kind of oath to be princesses together forever.

















I think you lost something, buddy.

















My dad and Jack blowing raspberries at each other... naughty!













Cousins- Kennady, Eve and Brooklyn













Quite the dip from Grandma Deb

















My mom with Eve and her cousin Kaylee.













Try to smile a little harder, you two. It's like when your parents used to tell you that your face would get stuck that way.













You know who.













Story time with Grandma Deb













Everyone wants Damion's attention.

Puppy Love

My parents got a new puppy! She's at the peak of cuteness. Everyone swoon. I've been waiting in great anticipation for the puppy to come home ever since my dad told me they were getting one way back during summer- she hadn't even been conceived yet. I made the mistake about a month ago of telling Eve about the puppy and she has been asking me every day since if the puppy was coming "today" It's hard to explain how long a month is to little kids. However, I'm sure I've been way more excited than the kids.

Anyways, "Misty" came home just yesterday and we all just had to see her. She is so cute that it almost makes me insane enough to want a puppy of my own. And then I remember: having a puppy is like having a new baby- only worse in many ways. Not only do they not sleep through the night and then bark and bark when they are unhappy but they pee and poo right in the middle of the floor. Makes changing diapers look like a breeze. Like children, they rarely listen and they cost a lot of money to take care of. Plus they destroy all types of things... toys, clothing, furniture. Oh the joys! But I realize that I am having puppy withdrawls already. We will have to go visit her again soon. I'm sure we will be doing a lot of puppysitting in the future. Since I don't live with my parents, I figure my relationship with the puppy is probably much like grandparents must feel with their grandkids... they love them and love to be around to spoil them but they get to give them back when the not-so-fun stuff is going on. I think this is going to work out rather nicely.