Christmas 2011

This year Tyson was off for Christmas. It was the second time in 6 years he has been off. We were so excited to be able to spend the holiday with Tyson and him not having to run out the door. This year we got together with my mom's side of the family and had our usual little Christmas eve party. We always have a good time and great food. Then we headed over with the Barney clan and hung out with them for a little while, opened out P.J.'s and tackled Santa. (This is something that Tyson's dad has always done and its such a fun thing for the kids). Then we headed home because I was so sick I couldn't do anything. We put Addy to bed and did our stuff that needed to be done and was in bed by 10:30! We woke up Christmas morning, my family came over to our house so that they could see what Santa brought then we headed to my parents house to open presents. After a few hours in the morning we headed to the Barney's and opened presents with them. After the morning we went home to shower and get ready for the day, by this time I was so sick I went to bed and stayed there for almost a week. It was horrible, I didnt get to visit with any of my family. I missed all the yummy food and the family get-togethers. I finally am feeling better but at one point I wish someone would have shot me. 

Here is a picture over load. I am not very happy that I missed taking pictures of a lot of things that went on over the holiday but I did get a few pictures and here they are. 

The Martin Family Party. 

Addy ripped open presents faster than anything. She was so excited.

The cousins stopped by for a little bit. It was good to see them because we dont see them very often.

Meranda and her footie pj's!

Just Dance! Addy had a ball with this!

Yes I tried it, No I'm not very good...at all, No I wont be doing it again!

Reindeer food!

Christmas Jammies!!!

Santa stuff

We all got Kindle Fire's for Christmas, even my mom! We all love them.

Playing with her new little people house. 

Our cutest little nephew Kelson! He got his very own vacuum for Christmas and you wanna talk about excited! This kid loves to vacuum!

Addy has been really into us reading to her lately, I thought these next two pictures were cute! She loves when we read to her!

We had a great holiday. It seems like they just fly by and its always over before you know it. Addy ended up getting spoiled as usual and I know I got everything and some that I wanted. We have great family and always enjoy our time with them! Hopefully next year I wont be sick and miss out on all the fun!

Sunday Afternoon...

Lately we have been going to my mom's house on Sunday's and baking away. Usually we dont make messes like we did yesterday! We had decided to make sugar cookies and once we got going we just kept saying, while we've already got the mess out lets make one more batch! Anyway after all was said and done we ended up making about 8 dozen cookies! That's a ton for us! We had a great time, I think Addy loved every minute of getting flour every where. We dont make cookies at our house cause it makes a huge mess and I just cant handle that part! We got to my mom's around noon, wrapped presents, make cookies, cooked dinner and then decorated gingerbread houses. So here are a few pictures from yesterday. 

 A few of the snow flake cookies!

Tay & Kels 

Our little helper 

Tyson getting in on the action! 

 Addy used about 2 bottles of sprinkles per cookies....she likes sprinkles!

 Getting ready for gingerbread houses

 Addy was on her own team and decorated her very own house!

 Tyson & I were on a team

 Kels was on her own team (I actually think her house was the cutest but dont tell Tyson)

 Tay & Mykel

 This is mine & Tyson's house

 The back side of the house

 Here is Addy's house she did all by herself. I wish I would have gotten a better picture on the inside of her house cause she was putting all the decoration inside her house! 

 Addy's again

 Kels finishing up her house

All of the houses after they were finished! We started a tradition of decorating these houses as a family last year and I am so glad we did. We try and turn it into a friendly competition but usually someone leaves mad! Its a fun tradition we started and I hope we can continue to do it each year.  

~Meet Charlie~

I am sure that everyone by now has heard of the Elf on the Shelf. This was something that I heard about last year but never followed through on doing. This year we picked up our little elf and started a new tradition. This is how "Charlie" became a part of our family. Tyson was putting Sadie, our dog, away in her kennel when Addy heard the doorbell ring. She was so excited someone had come to our house to visit, because we dont get many visitors. She ran right to the door and was a little surprised to see that "Santa" had left a little present on the door step. She brought in the box and we pull out the book and started reading it. We read the book about 3 times that night, Addy loved it. Charlie has been a big hit at our house. Addy wakes up every morning running out of her bedroom wanting to see what Charlie has done or where he is hiding. He has been really fun and he actually has made Addy try to be nice! 

The first day Charlie sat up on the clock.

Addy was a little worried the first day that Charlie was going to be so hungry since he didnt get down all day so the next day Charlie brought Addy some cookies!

Of course Addy needed her picture taken with Charlie, yes she just got out of bed and her hair is a mess!

Charlie spoiled Addy on the 3rd day. She has been wanting a new little puppy thing so bad and Charlie must have seen the Alco sell and got her one. She was so excited that he left her a surprise in her stocking.

Charlie sat up on dad's deer mount one day with a santa hat for the deer, Addy loved this. (Of course mom forgot to get a picture)

Seriously this Charlie is so nice! He brings a treat almost every day!

He is a little stinker and was hanging from my light in the kitchen!

Charlie liked the rice krispy box! It got a little scary that day because I opened the fridge and Charlie fell on the floor, Addy was screaming "he's dead, he's dead". But Santa snuck in our house while we were gone and help Charlie back up.

Charlie must like the Christmas Tree because he has been on there two days! 

Charlie has been such a fun addition to our family. I have been trying to take a picture every day so I can remember for next year. I've only missed one day, that's good for me. 

(I am running out of ideas for Charlie. I dont want to get all creative and make messes cause I dont want to have to try and keep up every night, every year if that makes sense. Some nights I have lots of time and other nights well I just forget so....if anyone has some easy ideas send them my way. Im good with a small treat or a cute note or even a small gift but I cant keep up with "The Jones'" I guess is what Im saying.  I have checked pinterest and blogs and they have super cute ideas. I just dont want him to get caught up in bringing things and doing things that we actually forget why he is here, if that makes sense. So any help would be appreciated!)

Nothing new has been going on with us. We are just working and getting ready for the holiday season. Addy is so excited for Christmas, she asks me about every day if she can open her presents yet. We are also way past ready for Christmas to get her because Addy keeps changing her mind on what she wants, when we tell her that she already told Santa what she wanted she says "that's okay, he will just bring me this too". Um SPOILED....I think so. We are excited to have some time off and visit with our families. This year Tyson is actually off for Christmas and its the second time since we've been married so we are really excited to spend the whole day with him.