MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

We had a great Christmas this year! Of course, like always, it goes way too fast. On Christmas Eve we went over to Ryan's parents' house for dinner and gift exchange. Ryan's grandma Colleen was there, Aunt Kathy, Uncle Ray and Aunt Mary, Laura, Dave and Taylor (Ryan's sister and her family). Bill and Mary were raised having seafood for Christmas Eve since their mom is Italian. It has been a learn to like experience for me and our boys since we are not big seafood eaters, but we get by. We do love the battered shrimp. They are the best part of the dinner I think. Then we get cleaned up and the kids of course have a hard time waiting. But when all is ready the opening of gifts start. We were all very spoiled this year, actually we are every year, this one even more so. Mary and Ray gave our boys each their own musical instrument. We're not talking little plastic things from a toy store. They are each very nice very special instruments. Chase got a xylophone (his is plastic but he needs plastic), Ethan got a guitar (beautiful), Chandler got a large keyboard, and Evan got a set of electric drums. They all want lessons and I so desperately wish we could afford to give them to them. For now they have fun making their own "funky beats". From papa and grandma R. they boys got a sports table which includes ping pong, pool, air hockey and something else. The boys love it! All the gifts that were given that night were so very nice and we are all so appreciative. We had a great night.

Then it was time for us to head home to get ready for Santa to come. The boys were all ready for bed and luckily they fell asleep quickly. The cookies and choco. milk were laid out and all was ready for Santa. Unfortunately, Chase decided to come down with croup that night. So Ryan and I didn't fall asleep that night till about 7 am. So when the boys came in to get us at 8 we told them about our sleep deprived state and asked if it would be all right if we could have one more hour. (I know we are terrible parents putting off our kids excitement for our own sanity, however in order to function Ry and I needed some sleep) The boys were very understanding and waited in their room patiently. We've got the best boys! So at 9 we hauled our fannies out of bed and headed to the front room to open our loot. The boys got roller blades, video games, Evan got a mini projector, Chan a guitar, Ethan tools, binoculars and various other stuff. Chase thank heavens is still thrilled with just opening whatever so he helped all of us. He got some fun things too. This Christmas is the first Christmas since we've been married that we didn't have to be anywhere for the rest of the day. We usually head over to my parents house for more fun with my fam. But my sister Rachel and her fam weren't coming till the next day so we would go over to dad's on Sunday. It was very nice to be able to chill and stay in sweats all day and play with our new things. Ryan's fam did come over for a little bit in the afternoon. The boys tried out their skates and took to them very quickly.

Sunday we went over to dad's around 3:30. My whole family was there and Angie's beau Matt and his son Dax were able to be with us too. We had a dinner of yummy appetizers and punch. Then, we opened all the presents there too. We are so blessed to have family on both sides who are so loving and kind and the spirit of giving is really felt I think. There is a lot of thought that goes into every gift and it is definitely felt. We stayed at dad's until about 9:30 pm and then went home to get some much needed rest.It's amazing to think that we will be starting a new year soon. All the unknowns of events to come are both exciting and scary but I am sure that 2010 will be great year. Bring it on!!!

ANGIE'S BIG WEEK!!!

My sister Angie had a very big week this week. On Dec. 16 she graduated from the RN program here in town. It was a long road for her but she finally finished. It was amazing to see her complete something that she worked so hard at. We all went to her graduation at Shasta College. Matt, Gee's boyfriend, Garrett (Kristi had just had Abby so wasn't up for coming), all of us, Adam came home, Rachel flew in, Jan and Don Preston drove up, Dad, and Aunt Linda and Uncle Dave all came. It was a bittersweet time. Her graduation also fell on the two year mark of mom passing away. We all felt mom's absence but in a way could also feel her presence.

On Friday we all went down to the Sacramento Temple and had a fabulous time taking Angie through for the first time. Rachel and I were able to be her escorts. That was very special. Matt was also able to go. The only spouse that came was Ryan. I was so happy that Ryan could come. Being at the temple and sharing that special time with him is the best! So all 5 of us siblings and Dad were together. It was totally incredible to me. Again mom's absence was at times very hard to deal with, especially at such a beautiful family time. However, we all know that she was there with us and being there with each other made it easier. It was a beautiful night. No Angie is not engaged. Just a matter of time though. Congrats Gee on all your accomplishments this far. So excited to see what this year holds for you!

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY CHANDLER!!!

Chandler turned the big 7 today. He decided he wanted to have his party at Chuck E. Cheese. We had a great time. All of the family in town came and he also invited some friends from his class at school. He had a great turn out. He also wanted to have a Club Penguin theme. So that was the basis for the invites and cake.

Papa Claycamp got Chandler his own HUGE jar of Pistachios!

Chandler also got his first brand NEW bike. New being the key word here. He's always been given Evan's hand-me-downs.

I can't believe that he will be baptized next year! WOW! Time goes WAY TOO FAST!!! Also, ever since Evan got his DS last year from saving up money and gift cards given to him for his birthday and Christmas Chandler has wanted a DS too. Well he had to save up too. It was a very long year for Chan seeing as his birthday and Christmas are all in the same month for him, but he did it! He was able to get his DS!! Congrats Chan! We love ya buddy!!!

WATCH OUT ACE OF CAKES!!!

So Ryan's parents take the boys, when it is their birthday, and they go to lunch or dinner and then the boys get to go pick out their birthday presents. The boys think it is fabulous and they look forward to it as soon as they realize their birthday is coming up. So this year Chandler picked Red Robin for dinner and then picked a cake decorating kit. Now those of you who know Chandler that doesnt' really fit Chan. However, there is a softer, creative side of him. Of course he would never offer information that he wanted a cake decorating kit but he is very proud of it. The day after he got it he asked if we could go get extra kits for it because Evan and Ethan probably would want to use it too. And they did! All three made masterpieces! They were all very different. They all had a great time. After the group photo they of course wanted to eat them; however they took one bite and threw them all away. They looked awesome but I guess the ingredients were pretty gross! Hey good way to get the creative juices flowing and not have to worry about calories like when I make my cakes! Great job boys!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KRISTI!!!

It was Kristi's birthday on Dec. 2 but with schedules conflicting and so on we all weren't able to get together for it until today Dec. 5. Dad, Angie (she was babysitting the Weaver kids that weekend so they came too), Garrett and Kristi's fam, and us (Ryan was in St. Luis at a seminar) all met at Country Kitchen for breakfast. It wasn't anything fancy but at least we all got to be together and celebrate another birthday!