Eleven Years of Married Life!

Why in the world does anyone get married around Christmas time? Luckily our anniversary is 2 days after Christmas so we can actually have time to celebrate it! Brady and Karen came and watched our kids for us a couple of weekends ago so we could go out on a date, this was our anniversary celebration: finish Christmas shopping, go through Wendy's drive-thru and stuff our food in my purse and then eat it while at the movies (Pride and Prejudice - awesome show). So when our anniversary did roll around we decided just to stay home with the kids. But I thought it would be fun to have a nice candlelight dinner with Paul's favorite, chicken enchiladas. The boys were so excited about the whole thing. Bryson said "Wow, I can't believe you guys are actually staying home with us for your anniversary. Usually you go out to eat at some really nice place like Chuck-a-Rama or something." (No, Bryson we go all out and go to Wendy's!

Ritchie Movies - This is a test

During the holidays, we spent some time making a few Christmas slideshow/movies. For home evening the week before Christmas we made a slideshow to the Voice Male song "Tracting Winter Wonderland.mov" and then on Christmas Day, with our new found toy (Movie Maker) we went ahead and made another slideshow of our holiday season, appropriately entitled "Ritchie's Christmas 2005.rm". The links will only be "live" for one week ... or until next Sunday, January 15, so if you have any desire to see it ... you had better move fast.

Cory is teaching us how to post larger links through Yousendit.com, so if it doesn't work, then we shall flog the lad, if it does, then give him the adulation that he so appropriately deserves. Thanks Cory.

An Early Christmas Morning

After only a few short hours of sleep, Paul and I were awaken by Bryson at 5:00 a.m. He was ready to open presents! We talked him into going back to bed for one more hour (the longest hour of his life), and then by 6:00 Bryson woke up everyone to open presents. McKay had no idea what was going on and Uncle Ryan has never seen such an early time since his mission days, I'm sure. Garrett ran into our bedroom so upset, "Mom we weren't very good because Santa didn't come!" Garrett ran out to the living room to take a peek and couldn't see anything different. Luckliy we found a note on the fireplace, Santa had decided to take the presents downstairs this year. What a relief! The boys had so much fun opening presents, and even Uncle Ryan said how much fun it was this year watching the boys.

Christmas Surprises

Daddy was so excited about his presents, who does his smile remind you of?

Uncle Ryan was happy to see he had a few presents under the tree. We've got to keep him looking hot for his women!

Bryson got his Game Boy advance SP! I wish I could capture the moment like Natalie can, because this picture doesn't do Bryson justice. The boy was jumping up and down like crazy. He was estatic to say the least about his present from Santa!

Garrett got his Pokemon cards (this is all Garrett wanted for Christmas), he told us he already had enough toys.

Tanner got his coveted car ("just like Jackson's").

McKay got his favorite...a baby Einstein show, this baby is going to be a genius!

Our Favorite Christmas Lines

There always seems to be a lot of questions and inquiries in our home at Christmas time. The boys are very curious to find out how Santa and his elves really work. Here are some of our favorites:
BRYSON: "Mom, just so you know I'm watching to make sure Santa's paper is different than your wrapping paper this year. If it isn't then I'll know Santa isn't real."
GARRETT: "Mom, do I get a gift for everytime I've been nice this year. Because I haven't been very nice to my brothers this year. But, I was nice to McKay once, so I know I'll get one present. Does Santa count stuff from last year? I hope so, then I can get more presents!"
TANNER: (this was the year of endless questions) "Mom, how does Santa fit down the chimney? When is Santa's birthday? How old is Santa? Dad, I can't believe it, I got all these presents and I wasn't even very good this year!"
PAUL: "You boys better be good because Santa's elves are watching."

The Annual Christmas Eve Nativity

Our nativity was bigger and better than ever this year. The kids all dressed up happily (as you can see in Bryson's face) in their costumes and reinacted the first Christmas. The favorite part to be played was the shepherd because you got a cane, and the cane could be used as a weapon as well.

Garrett's Christmas program

Garrett was so excited to sing and dance in his 1st grade program. He was very proud of the fact that he got to dance with his "girlfriend" this time, Summer Chappell. Garrett was a wooden soldier and kept his eyes on Daddy and Uncle Ryan the whole time to make sure they were watching him (much to his teacher's dismay). Mommy was playing the piano for the program and was in awe of how his teacher, Mrs. Patterson seemed to pull everything togoether at the last minute. We were all very proud of Garrett. He is an excellent student and always trys to do his best.