New Birth Certificates

So I just now decided to look on my camera card.  I found these pictures!  We got the kids new birth certificates in the mail.  They now officially belong to us I guess.  We explained to them that this was a piece of paper saying I was their Mom, and Luke was their Dad.  We tried to explain that it meant that on paper- we were there when they were born!  They both said we wished that were true.  Boy do Luke and I as well.  In fact, just this morning, while doing Asia's hair she told me she wanted her hair to be long. I told her that if she was born to me, I would never have had to cut it in the first place.  Her former foster Mom put sun-in in it for over a year.  It was fried.  It's just now getting back to normal- and she's brown headed on top of that! 

Asia's Easy Bake Oven

Asia couldn't wait to try out her Easy Bake Oven.  We used the cookie packet that it came with first.  Somehow out of 2T. worth of mix, you're supposed to get 12 cookies.  Nope, don't think so.  We made the cookies and then we tried out a cheese quesadilla.   Well, the cheese was bad, but PaPa took one for the team and ate it.  It wasn't all that bad I guess!  Next, we tried making pizza from a tortilla.  It was pretty good.  She was thrilled to use a cake mix.  The cake- well, it was a little chewy and flat.  At least this oven peaks her interest in cooking.  Now if Luke and I can stand being the guinea pigs.  Only time will tell!

Christmas Day

                                                  Looking for Santa's Gifts

                                                        Reading a letter from Santa

Luke and I set the alarm for 5am this year.  We wanted to be the first ones up.  Well, we sure were!  The kids slept til after 7!  When they came out of their rooms Nana and PaPa were here.  They were shocked to see Santa didn't leave their gifts by the fireplace.  They had to search everywhere.  We kept asking them where another door was that led to the outside.  They finally figured out it was in the bonus room.  Santa left a note explaining that he was afraid Robert might not stay in his bed.  So, he had to make it quick this year. 

Santa left an Easy Bake Oven for Asia along with an Elsa doll.  Robert got a MarioCart thing for the Wii.  After that, we all ate breakfast together.  I fixed Paula Deen's Overnight French Toast.  It was so good and easy!  Then we all tore into our packages.   Mom and Dad got me the neatest blanket.  It made me cry, well and laugh.  Mom put pictures of my sweet old Madison Murphy on the blanket.  Although, the name on the blanket was Mollie Margaret- my cocker spaniel before Madison.  They might have looked alike, but sure didn't act alike.  So now I have a blanket with both my dogs names on it!

The kids got a ton of toys.  I was trying to clean out our cabinets from all the gifts we got last year.  Luke and I decided next year, that each kid will get a small number of toys and be done.  We're thinking we'll do what a friend of ours did.  Something you want, something you need, something to read, and Santa.  It gets to overwhelming for our kids to do more than that. 

We ate a huge lunch of Ham, Green Beans, Hashbrown Casserole.  We had a ton of snacky stuff as well.  We were stuffed.  The kids enjoyed the Wii and a racing game PaPa brought.  It was a fun Christmas!

Christmas Eve

We spent the day on Christmas Eve getting ready for Christmas Day.  The kids wanted to decorate some cookies for Santa.  We made Gingerbread Cookies and Sugar Cookies.  They had a blast cutting them out and sticking them to the cookie sheet.  Of course, we even ate a few along the way.  We went to the Christmas Eve service at church.  Jeff wanted all the kids to come down to the front so he could visit with them.  Last year, they wouldn't leave our sides.  This year, Robert couldn't wait to go down.  Nana walked down with them.  They really enjoyed it.  It's amazing how much change a year can make.  After church, we headed on over the Waffle House for our annual tradition.  Later, we came home where the kids opened one gift.  This was a tradition of mine growing up.  We usually would go to Grandma and PaPa's to open our Christmas PJ's.  The kids loved theirs this year.  After putting out cookies for Santa, it was time for bed!

Gingerbread House Decorating

Luke and I had tried years ago to decorate a gingerbread house. It was a disaster.  This year, I wanted to make a new family tradition.  So, I did what any normal non-Martha Stewart would do...I bought a pre-assembled house.  It was the ONLY way to go!  The kids had fun decorating it.  We used only the candy it came with and it turned out really cute.  I think we'll do this every year as a Christmas tradition.

Christmas Parties at School

A year ago today, I was sitting at home enjoying the quiet and wondering what my life would be like after the kids.  Well, today I spent it with Nana at the school for their Christmas parties this morning.  Asia's classroom was full of parents and pandemonium.  They had cookies, donuts, crafts, and music.  It was a little much for me!  We barely had time for a few pictures.  Robert's class was a little calmer without all the sugar.  They had several craft stations and even decorated cookies.  He made a snowman ornament for Nana and decorated a cookie with her.  Bless his heart, you can tell he is still a little under the weather.  It's amazing how much can change in a year!