Christmas Day 12_25_08

Christmas Day came very fast. It was a late night on Christmas Eve, and then I needed to stay awake to put the Turkey in the oven. Sometime between 2 and 3am is when I finally hit the pillow, after all my "duties" where finished :) 7:30am came fast, but it was all worth it. The kids had an awesome christmas. IPODS, SKI PASSES, SNOW BOARD BAGS, a ton of STAR WARS things, and a ton of other things, the kids apparently were "GOOD" this year... and that they were. I am so thankfull that I have such awesome kids. The two oldest kids have been great, as well as the baby. Alittle teenage attidudes here and there, but so far nothing that I have had to worry about... I am knocking on wood right now!!!!!!



After we opened our gifts, Drew's Dad, Step Mom, Sister and Step-Brother came over for breakfast/brunch and to open gifts. We had a really nice morning with them. Of course we all got some fantastic presents, the kids of course got everything that Santa forgot about. It always works that way, and works out great! They are the most wonderful people in the world. I am truely lucky to have the in laws that I have!



In the early afternoon, my Mom, Sister and her family came over for Dinner. The kids have a blast running around and playing. We just do a gift exchange with the kids and this year, my sister came up with a great idea. She got all the girls a family necklace that symbolizes "cousins". It was an awesome idea. The girls loved them. My brother called and we all got to chat with him. We missed him terribly, but he will be home soon. Christmas was another fantastic day for us. We are all so blessed and lucky to have a healthy family.

Christmas Eve with the Cates

Christmas Eve is always spent with Drew's moms side of the family. Everyone came to our house this year, and it was of course a great time. Its nice to see how everyone has changed throughout the year, especially the little kids. One of the cousins Micheal, has a new little baby, Issac, which is SUPPPER cute, and looks just like big sister Saddy. Jaime was able to call in via the WEB CAM so that everyone could see our beautiful Baby Lydia. It was nice for everyone to chat for a few minutes. Heather was able to call and chat for a few minutes as well. The most touching part of this Christmas, was when Grandma Jeri gave a talk about how special it was to be home. (This year, her and Grandpa Jeff were going to stay in Las Vegas for Christmas. However her eldest grandson Drew, was not real happy with that idea. It didn't take me long to realize that he was upset about that, and after a 1 minute conversation, it was decided that Grandma and Grandpa were coming home weither they liked it or not. We, along with Drew's mom, purchased airline tickets for them.) Grandma Jeri and Grandpa Jeff were very touched that they were missed so much! We all miss them terribly when they are gone. It was nice to have them here. Although their visit with the airlines didn't come without some hic-ups. First of all, there was the delayed flight, leaving Salt Lake City to Boise, ummm imagine that! The snow has been in sane on the west coast this year. That put them into Boise closer to midnight, which it was suppose to be here around 10:30pm. No biggy... but then.. there was an issue with the luggage track thing, so it took them forever to get their checked luggage... so after a long ride home to Caldwell, Drew finally made it back home to Meridian about 2am. In addition, this trip has alittle bitter/sweet to it. A few weeks back, Jeri was coming out of the motor home, in Vegas, and happened to trip over a rock that holds the outside carpet down. She was in alot of pain, and after coming into town, Jeff was able to get into see her doctor here, which met then on Christmas Eve, and it was decided that she will have to have surgery on her foot. She has torn all the legiments in the top of her foot and is not allowed to walk on it. Jeff will have to head back to Vegas by himself for now, and then Jeri will be able to follow as soon as her surgery and recover it done.
Over all it was a great family night, with alot of laughter! Of course Christmas was a HUGE SPOIL FEST! The kids got some great kids from Cliff and Connie and their Aunties!

It's Been A Long Time since I have updated!

Hello-
Sorry for the delay in updating this thing. There has been to many other internet cool things that I get wrapped up in and forget about this. First of all, I have created another website that has some awesome pictures to check out. It will only have pics on it. I will try and update this as often as possible with new things going on. I will be adding Christmas soon :)
Julie

Drew and Kristie's Bday Dinner with Julie's Family

On Saturday the 26th we had a BBQ with my family for Kristie and Drew. Mom, Kristie, Vince, Nick, Enrique and Madison came over, (Vincie is still up in College at the U of I, and Gabby was working). We BBQ'd some chorizos and hamburgers. For whatever reason the first "real" BBQ of the season always tastes SOOO good. Kristie's two youngest kids spent the night and stayed up with Carson until 11pm playing Wii. Then the kids went to sleep and were up again at 7:30-7:45am to play it!

Drew's Bday Dinner with Mom & Dad Black

We went to dinner with Steve, Verta, Bree, Jon, Bry, Drew, Myself and the kids to Goodwood BBQ on Friday the 25th. It was fun as usaual. These pictures are taken that night. Overall, Drew had a great birthday. The actual day of his bday, he was blessed with talking to all of our family. He stayed home from work that day, and relaxed, we went to Red Robin that night for dinner, his choice, and that was the size of it. That is the way that Bdays need to be, "relaxed".

Vanessa Update

Vanessa is doing great. Focusing on her grades. Can you believe that she will be a senior next year? She was working at TCBY, however her being there with another 16 or 17 year old all by themselves, until 11pm and closing the store along, was not something I wanted her to do. She quit, and really misses working, but she will find something soon. She has been out looking. She wants to play volleyball this year. Last year she wanted to take a break and focus on grades, and so we are looking forward to her playing this year. Sports are starting again soon!!!!

Carson Swimming Lessons

Carson just finished swimming lessons at the YMCA. He did really well and loves the water. He has to finish working on his back float, and jumping in the water and swimming to the stairs but he is doing great.Carson is also taking a "sports class" at Daycare. Every monday they teach them different things about each activity. His favorite sport so far has been baseball. He loves it.

Drew's Birthday 4_23_08

We got Drew a Wii for his birthday. Of course the kids could not wait to give it to him, since well of course they wanted to play it. It has been a blast for our family. Drew, Andrew and Carson have a "Wii" problem. They are on that thing EVERYDAY! :) Andrew bowled a PEFECT GAME, he bowled 13 strikes in a row, his game total was 300. Carson has a high game of 267. He bowled 9 strikes in a row, and the first frame he bowled a spare, and then on the 10th frame, he bowled a spare on the first two and a strike on the last. Crazy for a 4 year old! The first night we set it up, I was trying to put Carson to sleep and all you heard was this giggling out in the living room. My too oldest boys ( as I like to call them!) were out there playing and trying out all the games. Vanessa and I, well... we will play when we can. Its addicting. Its super fun and gets the ole heart rate going with some games. Pictures to come :)

Andrew's New Car

Andrew has finished drivers ed. He now has to drive with us for 6 months before he can take the test and drive alone. We bought him a little car to drive. It is a nice little "first" car. He has been going to open gym for basketball the last few weeks. He really missed this year and not trying out. Hopefully he will reconsider this year, and try out again.