Christmas Day 2017

I gave everyone their own copy of the second house of Hulli's books this year and surprised them with the third one. The kids were so excited about it.

Damon carved the roast beast at dinner. (P.S. Check out his awesome red and green!)

Dinner with grandpa DaWayne and grandma Linda and family.

THE CARS AT 7:30 A.M.

I am really diggin' my minimalist "Giftmas" tree this year. It's short and in a basket...no tree skirt this time.

 It was quite a different morning for us on this 25th day of December. We did things completely out of the norm and I loved it. Leading up to this day and for about a month now, the kids have been wondering what the very large something was, that has been forbidden and hidden under blankets in the garage, waiting for this day. So this morning, when we all woke up around 7:30, we came downstairs to first have some breakfast while Dae secretly got things "set up" on the TV. I made pancakes while the kids danced to THE CARS soundtrack. The song "Let's Go" was a favorite. 

Dae's ingenious and playful plan was, that the commercials in between songs would be featuring none other than a SPRING FREE TRAMPOLINE. One of the commercials had a boy jumping carelessly to high and went flying through the air to a potential death, but instead landed into the spring/metal free net. Lucy was actually appalled and thought it looked like a crazy trampoline. The kids had absolutely no clue at first. Then, when breakfast was over we went out to the garage to finally uncover the secret. I can't explain the excitement. A trampoline is something they have wanted for a long time.

This was the year I gave the family their very own first books of the House of Hulli's. I was so excited and it was accepted with gratefulness and tears.

 At Bart and Lu's for lunch.

 P.S. About a week ago we went to get some Thai food for dinner when Dae said, "Let's play a guessing game. I will let you guys guess what the present in the garage is, but I won't say yes or no. I'm just curious what you think."

Immediately I said I didn't like that idea because what if they do guess and my face gives it away?

It was then that they started guessing things like a small motorcycle/scooter, sleds, and then Lucy mentioned, "trampoline"...I saw their brains register that last comment and then I felt all of their eyes watching me. I looked down acting neutral, like I didn't hear a thing. Dae said, "Hmmm...well, I guess you'll have to wait and see."

I thought for sure after that conversation the kids would have known for sure, but they didn't. I guess I do still have a poker face in there somewhere.

P.S.S. Deac gave me just what I asked for...a squatty potty and chocolate. I couldn't be happier.

"Gift-mas" Day and An Elf On Shelf

It snowed about a foot in the night. "Gift-mas" morning we woke up to a crisp white world. "Gift-mas" is now what the House of Hulli's will refer to as Christmas. I laughed so hard when Damon first voiced it because it fit so perfectly; it fits us perfectly anyway. Not that the spirit of giving isn't wonderful, but I am saying that it's different celebrating Christmas when you don't believe in the religious admiration side of it that you used to. Yes, that part can be challenging. Sometimes, I feel so out of place. So to try to fit in with this religious holiday, we will still be celebrating with family, but we will be calling it what it is.

The kids waiting patiently on the couch.

The kids gleefully opening their gifts.

Grandma Linda wrote a small play in which she asked the girls to play a Grinch song on the piano and she asked Dae to play the part of the "Elf on the shelf".

It was a great day spent with family.

On the EVE

Out to see the Star Wars matinee in 3D at 12:55pm, then some burgers from Iggy's before heading home early for the evening. Those burgers you see right there on mine and Dae's plates are jalapeño burgers. Ohhhh man...they are delish.

Today was such a great day being with the fam. I love them so much. They crack me up in ways no one else can.

Star WARS

We have plans to watch Star Wars on Christmas Eve as a family. Before that can be done however, Dae has required that all the children catch up on all the previous Star Wars episodes that they have NEVER seen. We made a week event out of it, watching one a day. The kids thought it was going to be hard work at first but it quickly became enjoyable. A couple days ago, Dae left for a short business trip. Before leaving he left the kids a few assignments that have to be completed before he comes home tonight; the first of which is to watch episode 5...

Kandus From the Past

 A big Family picture.

 Payton, Emily, Charlie, and Kandus.

Emily and Kandus

Kandus riding her new rocking horse made by grandma Lu and grandpa Bart for Christmas and playing at Bear Lake.

Christmas List 2015

I made the kids write down 6 or 7 ideas for things they might want for Giftmas. I was surprised slapped silly at what some of their wants were.

Deac

Lucy

Kandus

After Christmas Dinner At Lu's

We all drove to grandma and grandpa's house in Salem to be with them the Sunday evening after Christmas. The snow was deep outside, but that didn't stop us. We were happy to be there.

Everything I WANT For Christmas 2014

The first thing the kids saw when they came in the room Christmas morning was their old, BUT VERY LOVED toys. THEY WERE STUFFED IN THEIR STOCKINGS. I was curious and wondered what they would think when they saw the old toys they knew so well, poking their heads out of their Christmas stockings, instead of some new shiny "something" in it's place. But, you know what?...They totally went with it. The notes tied to their well loved friends said something like this..."Remember when you first got          ? Do you remember how it was your favorite for a long time? Remember to be grateful for what you already have, because we have so much."

Deac with Woody, Lucy with Jack, a Webkinz, and Kandus with her bunny from Pottery Barn Kids.

They did get the things they really wanted too though. Lucy was hoping for a camera, Kandus got the ipod she wanted, and Deac got some lego's and a remote control car from Kandus. He was so happy.

Bart and Lu came to visit Christmas morning, which we always look forward to. We love them so much. We gave them a scrapbook with pictures of the kids through the years and their own drawings and words. The kids have been working on these scrapbooks for all of the grandparents for weeks now. They all loved them so much.

Whenever Christmas comes along, I find myself daydreaming of ways that I can somehow change and bend it into a more meaningful and less of a "gift-y" time of year. So far, tradition has always won the bet. Commercialism and expectations over generations of time have turned Christmas into something less than what I think it should be. I would be happy with an old fashioned Christmas featuring Christmas oranges, a homemade letter or gift, a Thanksgiving worthy Christmas dinner, BUT MOST OF ALL...some memorable family time together spent however you please. I am so grateful that I have what I NEED, I have so much and I couldn't ask for more. I feel like the most spoiled girl in the world because I already have EVERYTHING I WANT RIGHT HERE.