Last days of December

Katana's favorite breakfast after "sear-ral" is Waffles. And she says it bold like Donkey on Shrek. "WHAFFLes."   Also loves loves loves Daniel Tigers Neighborhood.  A cartooned remake of Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. After an episode about making things for people you love she drew this picture brought it to me and said it was for Dad. I asked what it was and she said, "My Heart" She really does have a heart of gold. 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!  We celebrated Christmas on the 26th cuz Preston had to work Christmas. It was no big deal.  We had both sets of Grandparents for dinner the night before. Traditional chicken cordon bleu. I made jell-o jigglers for the telling of my favorite Christmas story. It's about a poor family who worked for months to save enough to buy 2 boxes of jello for Christmas.  The Elders came to visit and are touched by the excited humility.  On Christmas they come back and  bring items from their care packages from home to surprise the family.  In return the mother gives the Elders the 2 boxes of Jello. Tear Jerker.  Then we read a flashlight shadow book of the Night Before Christmas.  

Katana caught on pretty fast once we started opening gifts. It was so fun to see her excitement. Kids make Christmas. Axels a little little but he did like his bear. I think he knew it was his. 

Our fun gifts:      Axel: ties, toy     Katana: bike, dolls, shoes, clothes         Preston:  toy helicopter, flying monkey, bullets, x-box games           Sierra:  Kinect and games, make-up, cute butt jeans

Katana and I got matching Jammies and we got a family gift of a Trampoline.  I found it new in Spanish fork for $100 with the safety cage. Syringa was awesome enough to go get it from guy #1 and drop it off at people #2 house (an adventure in itself as it was bigger then expected and then Denali locked himself in the car.)   People #2 I found on BYU-I ride board coming with a trailer to pick up their son from college. They dropped it off at JD's house on the way to Rexburg. Kellys picked it up from JD when they went for Christmas. Then Finally it arrived here for Christmas Day. It was sooooo worth it. It's only because I fear for her health that keeps Katana from occupying it 24/7.   Great Great day. 

Christmas Cat:  Kept hearing the cat. got louder and louder. I thought it was getting attacked but couldn't see it outside. Finally realized it was under the house. It had climbed in the dryer vent looking to stay warm and got stuck.  Preston had to go under the house--unhook the dryer vent and then chase him around the crawl space. What a good Dad.  With Christmas over Family started leaving about 10.  By noon the kids were worn out. Fell where they stood/sat. Merry Christmas Everyone.   sueñen con los ángeles mis ángulos

We enjoyed the holiday vacation by being plumb lazy.  Playing with our new stuff.  No agendas. No lists. No nothing.  It was awesome. Preston fixed some fence and fiddley-dicked around with his truck. At one point he was trying to jump start one of the vehicles when the cables became crossed.  without thinking he reached out and grabbed the heated metal which immediately and severely charred his flesh.  He held frozen cans of OJ, and applied Aloe for the rest of the day.  this Picture doesn't do it justice. It hurts to look at.   ouch!

 Happy New Year. I'm never sure where/ how to write about this as it covers 2 years.  2013 is good.  So we went to Dusty and Phillis's house with Brooke and Mike. We played ticket to ride. 4 rounds- Preston won once and I won 3 times.  The time I lost it was by -60.  If you've ever played you know just how bad I tanked. Still super fun.  good treats, and lots of laughs. Katana actually stayed up till midnight. played with Rhett and watched Daniel Tiger.  We were too involved in the games to really celebrate the passing of the year. No count down, or ball drop.  In fact I entered into the new year sitting on the tub holding my daughters hand while she had an "owie poo poo"  Very anticlimactic   She was out by 12:10 and we continued for another hour or so.   Wow another year over.  seems like time is speeding up. So much has happened this year. Ups and downs.  curve ball after curve ball. We finally made contact and ran through a year where we got Our home. Axel, family reunions 2 sets of kittys and a few bruises  but we made it. I feel very blessed. I am grateful for a rest after the storms we've battled. 2014 looks bright and I'm excited for change. challenges and a chance to start and hopefully stay fresh, fit and firm. 

Christmas Cards and Brag Letters

2013 was a hard year but it ended on a high note for which we feel very blessed.  First we welcomed AXEL HOLDEN KELLY into our crazy family on August 23.  He was 8 lbs 4 oz 22 in. same stats as Katana.  He is so chill, smiles and laughs more then he cries, sleeps 6 hrs at night.  ITS AWESOME.  Katana is 2.  She is officially potty trained (that was an adventure). Her favorite word is “WHY” .  She loves her kittens, ponies, teddy bear and absolutely adores her baby brother.  She’s my little helper and keeps me on my toes.   Preston has changed jobs about 4 times this year. What a roller-coaster. He finally landed a steady stable non-construction position at Jerome Cheese as an automation technician.  I am enjoying my life as Mommy and Wife.   Watching my kids learn and grow is amazing.  And I am happy to be cleaning my own toilets. After a year and a half of bumming it, we were able to buy our own home.  We love living in Wendell.  With a house and 2 acres it’s room to breathe.   Yes we had some trying times but we made it through and it made us better.      Lots of Love , Preston, Sierra, Katana, Axel Kelly   

Setting up N lights

A nice "selfie" to show me helping with the Christmas lights. (Preston says there needs to be air quotes around helping.)   I want  the tree up November 28th -- Preston wants Christmas eve. So as marriage goes we agreed to meet half way. December 5th.  (smile if you got that)

The ward Christmas party was a hit.  Everyone brought a treat or finger food. I helped the night before to stuff 150 goody bags which Santa passed out in about 30 min.  Katana is still not sure about Ol'St. Nick.   Axel was absolutely positive he didn't like him.  Brother Tree was also making balloon reindeer or Santa hats for the kids.   Axel and I were in a skit called "Conrad's Gift." We really feel at home in our new ward.

Might become a tradition to go see the lights in south hills, Hansen Idaho.  Their is a live camel named Bull you can feed carrots to.  Never realized how big they are but his head was bigger than Katana and I'm sure he could have swallowed Axel whole. Then there is the billions of lights.  I was amazed at all the different types, shapes and colors of lights.  This was the first year they moved it from a private residence to the rock creek store.  Brings the festive part of the season to life. For me Christmas can't be too glitzy or commercial.  I love it all.  

And to end a few "groupies" of My baby and me.  Been taking pictures like this for years and just found out they have a name. selfies and groupies .   Next stop CHRISTMAS!!!!!!