Christmas Past & Present

Trying to organize all the pictures from the current holiday season, made me look back at previous years. At this time of year, it always hits me (even more than usual) just how fast time flies and the kids grow up. It's a time to reflect and realize the importance of cherishing every minute. While I don't make new year's resolutions, I do like to reflect on things and see how and what I can improve.

I know, in no time at all, it will be this time of year AGAIN and we will all be another year older.

2000: Rylee's Christmas pose in Grammy's little sleigh
(there is a Santa pic somewhere in the archives)

2001: Christmas portrait attempt 1
(Rylee is totally frightened by the photographer man with long hair)

2001: Christmas portrait attempt 2 - too many props

2002: Christmas portrait (Brennan's 1st Christmas)

2003: Naughty & Nice Christmas card photo shoot

(Brennan is really just not happy about his outfit and No Rylee's hair is not dyed on the ends - many people asked that question after they received our card)

2004: Christmas card photo shoot with Peityn

2004: Santa & family photo shoot

2004: Christmas Card Photo Shoot

2005: Getting ready for our Christmas portrait

2005: Santa at the mall

2005: Rylee & Brennan Visit with Santa

2005: Family visit with Santa (before Tanner)

2006: Christmas Eve at Grammy & Poppy's - Tanner's 1st Christmas

2006: Tanner's 1st visit with Santa

2007: Santa family picture

2008: Grandkid photo attempt 1
2008: Grandkid photo attempt 2
2008: Grandkid photo attempt 3 of 1,000,003

2008: Family pic one and only

(someone is not cooperating)

Coming soon.....this year's pictures and fun memory-making moments....if I can ever sort through all of it, all the while, pausing to think about the passing of time.

Two little boys one BIG mess: Part2- the house

Okay, I'm beginning to understand that this is just what they love to do! You'd think I'd know by now, after 3 kids. Anyway, here's how this happened......

My sister's usual sitter (a.k.a. The Manny) is sick today and I'm off church preschool so.....I'm keeping my 4 year old neice, my own 2 year old child, my 22 month old nephew (partner in crime) and my 6 month old neice. Rylee and Brennan are at school and I dropped Peityn, the 4 year old, off at preschool....thankfully! So, the stage is set....

I'm trying to do some baking and completion of church preschool party projects so I'm basically letting the two little boys do whatever they need to do to SAFELY amuse themselves for about 30 minutes. Well, this is what it takes. In no time at all, there were toys from the entry way to the living room and all the places in between. Since they'd checked that off their list, next, was Tanner's room and the playroom. As you can see, they accomplished their goals and destroyed as much as possible in as little time as possible. Hilarious! And, this is only the half of it. Aside from the mess, they truly are all wonderful little kiddos and I actually look around laughing and smiling as I count the many blessings that come along with all the mess!

P.S. Notice Sage trying to look all innocent in one of the pics...made me laugh. And, trust me, he was really the ring-leader!

Two little boys one BIG mess

Well, as luck would have it, while Jenny and me were gathering up diaper bags, jackets and older kids, to go to the Frisco Christmas on the square event, thinking we had plenty of time and that our plan was right on schedule......The little boys were busy entertaining themselves with the stamps, crayons and markers that the older kids had been using.....YIKES! No permanent damage to anything but Tanner and Hayden were very proud of the artwork they had created.......on each other!!!

"Look....crayons....and stamps....all over us!"

Proud artists: Tanner & Hayden


"Clean up...clean up...everybody...everywhere!"
They didn't think this part was much fun after the mommies got involved and almost scrubbed their skin off. HA!

I am happy to report that after further investigation (we were scared to look too closely, at first)no walls, carpets or bedspreads were harmed in the making of this blog entry. We did, however, take the time to get the camera as fast as possible. Short of Jenny having a slight panic attack, all was well that ended well. And, we made it to a fun night on the Frisco square...a little behind schedule but still plenty of time to spare! This is going down in the history book for sure!

A few more and the final products

Kisses for sister - although, I'm not too sure she just loved those.

And, of course, more goofin' off....this time, Rylee got in on the action!


And, this one says it all....even Ms. Picture Perfect has had enough....drum roll.......

Final products: Version 1 & 2 created by my oh-so-talented Brother in Law

Version 1

Version 2: some new funky fonts and more color

Christmas card takes and retakes - 2008

Rylee's idea for instruments and a "rockin' Christmas" theme.

Notice who's picture perfect every time while some other King Kids are behaving as usual! Hmmm...can you say boy vs. girl?

It is sooo funny every year what lengths we go through to get a card-worthy Christmas pic. The last two years, we've done ours on the spur of the moment. We finish the tree and everyone has on pjs. I put on their nice Christmas shirts, groom their hair and who knows that the bottom is actually polka dot pj pants or football-coated lounge pants..it's funny! Anyway, enjoy the attempts.

What's this blog stuff?

Is it true? Can it be? Am I bloggin'? Everyone else is so I guess I should start. They tell me it's easy, fun, convenient...let's see. This pic is the recent Oktoberfest on the square. We had a fun time with the Geisers. And, The kids loved the face painting!