December 31

 I wish I looked this cute naked in heels. 

Here's what we have planned for today/tonight to celebrate New Year's Eve. Starting at 1pm, the kids will pop a balloon. In each balloon, is an activity. Should be a fun evening!

December 30

We had a lazy Sunday at our house. We didn't get up early enough to go to church . Normally we don't have to set an alarm because Lucy wakes us up early - like 6:30am (too early). Instead, she slept 13 hours (I think we know the reason she was so cranky Saturday night). We just laid around literally all day. Clay eventually got up from the couch to work on the bathroom some more, but the kids and I pretty much laid on the couch most of the day and watched TV. Our brains may have turned to mush, but it was fabulous.

 

 The kids took turns putting on puppet shows for us.

 And Gus decided since the audience was facing that direction, he wanted us to look at him. The big goofball fell asleep sitting up... you can see his eyes are half shut in this picture. 

 

 My house is a disaster! Guess what I will be doing today? Some days I wonder if it pays to take a day "off".

We have a bathroom sub-floor again! Hurray for nobody falling and breaking their necks while we had a big hole in the floor!

It rained alot Saturday night/Sunday morning, so the trampoline was wet until dinner time. The kids went out in the dusk with glow sticks and had a fabulous time. I love that they can get fresh air, burn some energy, etc. and I can see them from my kitchen window while I am cooking or doing the dishes. It's a win win!

December 29

Happy Birthday Nonna!

Here's a birthday video to tie you over until your visit. 

 

 

 Clay took a break from working on the bathroom yesterday to put the trampoline up for the kids. It's safe to say that they love it.

The trampoline box is fun too.

We had family over last night to watch the UK vs UofL game. Lucy might have almost had an exorcist called on her. She was some kind of rotten. I think it's safe to say Joe and Nikole won't be having kids for awhile.  #wearegreatbirthcontrol

December 28

 Fun with finger paint!

Elliott is pondering life while using a "shaving" kit he got from Santa.

Our weekend plans fell through. Jonathan was supposed to hang out with us yesterday, but he is sick. Grandpa, Lulu, Terah, Jordan, and Maddy were supposed to come for the weekend, but Lulu, Terah, and Jordan all have a stomach bug. On the upside, Clay has more free time to work on the bathroom. We visited with Mamaw and Papaw C for a little while yesterday before they head home. 

December 27

The kids all enjoyed their new toys and we watched several home movies (Mamaw and Bapaw had them converted to DVDs because our High-8 player stopped working). My babies are growing up too fast!

These Snap Circuits have proven to be the best thing! Julia has spent hours and hours making new projects, including an alarm, a fan, and a flying saucer. 

 Lucy loves her new baby doll. She has spent hours and hours feeding it.

It was in the 40s yesterday, so Elliott went outside to give his new bike a spin.

 Kat is learning how to make bracelets on her loom. 

I wish they made a Scoot 'n Zoom in my size.

Clay spent most of his time in the bathroom yesterday. I just reread that and it sounds funny. He was not sick. He was working on the Master bath renovation.

The good news? We now have drywall on the ceiling. Do you see all the dust particles floating in the air? Yeah, they are all over the bath/bedroom.

 The bad news? Half of the floor is gone! That one gap in this picture? It's now about 3 foot by 4 foot. You can look directly into the basement. Clay's replacing some of the floorboards that had some water damage.

Clay went to the back doctor yesterday. He's been having back problems for months. An MRI revealed that he has a bulging disk and arthritis in his back. He does not need surgery. Thankfully the disk is bulging away from the nerves, so he's not having nerve pain. His doctor wants to him to have physical therapy three times a week for awhile. You know... in all his spare time. Pray for him to heal.

Also, pray for Mamaw C. Bapaw Rick had to use the heimlich maneuver on her a couple of days before Christmas. She is very sore either from bruised or broken ribs. She is the sweetest lady ever. She never complains, but you know she's hurting. She needs some good sleep, which is hard to get when it hurts to lie down or move.

My five children are starting the day out snuggled on the couch watching a movie... I am off to join them! Have a great day!

December 25

Merry Christmas!

We stayed at home most of yesterday and had a relaxing Christmas Eve watching movies, playing games, and hanging out in our pajamas until it was time for church. After church, we went to Mamaw and Bapaw's for dinner. Papaw C showed the girls his Magic Toothpick trick.

 Bapaw reading the story of Jesus' birth from the Bible

Mamaw reading "'Twas the Night Before Christmas"

Here's this morning's pictures:

 Santa brought Elliott a new bike and Lucy got a Scoot 'N Zoom 

 

 Julia got an ipod Nano and Kat got the rainbow loom

 Kat also got a new version of her beloved Doggy. You can see how well loved Doggy is.

 What's not to love about Nutella as big as your head?

 One happy little dude.

 

 Clay got a Tour de France bike jersey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 The kids got a trampoline from us this year. 

 

 Happy Birthday Jesus!

Mamaw and Bapaw came over around 8am to exchange gifts (we'd already been up for an hour and half).

 

 

 "This is just what I wanted!"

 Books!

 

 Lucy loves her new baby.

 

 Thanks Uncle Stump for the Planes Wii game - the boys especially enjoyed it!

 Julia played with her Snap Circuits set for 3+ hours.

After Lucy got a nap and the kids had time to enjoy their toys, we went to Mamaw and Bapaw's house to hang out and eat dinner.

 

 

 Dancing with Papaw C.

 

 

We had a nice day. I thought it was relatively low-key, but apparently we still wore the boogers out. They were all ready for bed at 7:30pm.