The calm before the storm

Our Holiday weekend was fabulous, and relaxing. The week after....... NOT SO MUCH
We made a trip to Coeur d'Alene to clean our house there. The renters finally moved out (After living rent FREE for 2 mos, and Trashing it) Aren't Renters LOVELY?
We have a company that is SUPPOSE to check on it, but obviously that wasn't happening. What am I paying them for?? SERIOUSLY.
We got in late Wednesday night and spent Thursday and Friday literally scrubbing every wall and surface. Then Saturday we painted almost every wall and surface. That's not counting the holes, door hanging, and sheet rocking my dad fixed, leaking sinks, Uncle John fixed All 3 of them, and All the windows that Aunt Mae cleaned. It was Truly Disgusting, I will never understand how people could live in such FILTH.
Thank goodness for my mom who had our kids all day, or it would have taken us 3 more days. It was a grueling 3 days, and we still didn't get everything finished.
We could NEVER express our GRATITUDE to everyone who worked tirelessly with us. We were VERY tempted to Sell it. I don't want to have to do this again. But after visiting with our Realtor decided to rent it out again. We will be taking more of a hands on approach with this next renter, and property management company.
Our girls told my mom one day "This is our worst trip to Coeur d' Alene, cause we haven't gotten to spend anytime with Grandpa" So sad I would have to agree with it being our worst trip there. We didn't get to play games, or see any friends, or do anything fun.
We owe our family a ton. After we left on Sunday, they finished the house during the next week. We are now ready for someone to move in. Someone CLEAN PLEASE!

My Dad: I think the paint fumes were getting to him:)
Aunt Mae : The BEST Cleaner and window washer I know

Christmas Festivities

I love the magic that comes with Christmas!!!
We had a fabulous day of just relaxing! I especially loved that we didn't have to be anywhere but HOME. Or wear anything but PAJAMAS. It was a wonderful Day!

Christmas Eve Festivities

We made cookies for Santa, cutting, baking, and frosting.

We had our Traditional Christmas Eve Dinner, PIZZA HUT.

Read of Christ's Birth as recounted in LUKE.

Bathed the kids,

Opened NEW pajama's made by their MAMA.

Prepared Santa, and the Reindeers GOODY plate and sent them off to bed.
We are ALL excited to see what Christmas morning will bring.

Nightly WWF

After Jap gets home and we have dinner. 'IT'S ON'. The kids spend the rest of the evening wrestling their dad. Magoo thinks it's fun to climb on everyone.

Jay didn't like sharing his water with Dad. It was cute to see him push Jappy's head away from his straw.

Fun on the Farm

Thanks to the Call's they shared a day at the farm with us. The girls got to feed the cows, pet the horses, and drive the 4 wheelers on their own. It was just a relaxing afternoon, with GREAT company.
Dallas and Mady feeding cows.
I think their exceeding the weight limit

Dallas driving on his own, Ace needing to take action, Dallas didn't see the need to turn or stop.

Coal for Christmas

We still own our house in Coeur d' Alene which is, or was rented. In October we found out the renters wrote a bad check, we didn't think much of it. We just hoped they would get it together and pay their rent. 2 months later they FINALLY moved out. We got a call from the property management company tonight, that takes care of it for us. They said "the carpet is unclean able we're going to need to replace it. AAHHH And of coarse they're going to need to repaint. Seriously people, Why do renters think that they can DESTROY something that's NOT theirs?
Then Yesterday I was driving home and noticed that the girls power wheels was missing from our yard. Some #*@ STOLE IT right out of our yard. GRRRRR
This is just the tip of the ice burg of the last few days. I didn't even get into the 4 WD going out in the Durango, The Honda on its LAST wheel, I got stuck at the bottom of the hill after a snow storm and had to beg a neighbor to take me up the hill. And how my children are Sassy. I had to take the eldest out of Sacrament last week for her RUDE DISRESPECTFULL Attitude. (I haven't had to do that Since she was a toddler)
I'm having a hard time feeling the Christmas Spirit. (If you haven't noticed)
I'm hoping next week is Better! Or I'll Be on the naughty list.

Tis the Season

Tis the season to lose my mind Fa la la la la la la la.
My kids are good all year long until December. Does anyone else have that problem??
They fought all day today. and I mean fought. Hitting, yelling, stomping. And we absolutely don't allow hitting. So they spent a little time in their room this evening. I bribed them with making cookies with me and then it was a SILENT NIGHT
We had a busy weekend with Christmas parties, and dinners and some Fun activities.
Jessi came and spent the night and watched our kids so we could go to a dinner at the church. She made Gingerbread Houses with the girls, which turned out so Cute. They have a permanent home as the center piece on the table. It just makes me smile when I walk by them. I LOVE when Jessi comes and I know my girls feel the same

Friday morning Jappy's sisters came into town with their daughters and we made candy. It was a full day of mixing and chocolate dipping, and worth it. It's fun to be together and laugh about silly things we do and say. It hasn't happened for a long time, I think we all needed it, and thoroughly enjoyed it.

Jessi and B making Carmel

I have some of my shopping done. But still a little ways to go. I don't know when I'm going to do it. Jappy has a full week of driving and late nights a head of him. That means late nights for me.
Half of our Christmas Decor is up. I haven't found the time to finish it. So much to do and so little time to do it in.