Buzz, Woody, a Train Set...bada bing....CHRISTMAS!

Christmas 2009 was building up in my mind to be the best Christmas ever. People told me that once I had kids, Christmas would take on this whole new meaning. It would be all about them and I would be so excited to see them open their gifts. So as the Christmas holiday approached, I saw this prophecy coming to fruition. I was so excited! I couldn't wait for the boys to open their gifts or at least see them sitting on the couch Christmas morning.

But almost a week before Christmas the boys and I came down with a wicked stomach bug. We left the church Christmas party early because it was sleeting.

It was a good thing because Alex threw up on the way home. As soon as we got in the door Ben threw up in the living room. About and hour later I threw up. There was a lot of vomiting going on! After nursing us all back to health, Creighton came down with it. We had illness in our house for five full days. But we were all well in time for Christmas Eve.

This pic is of Alex and Ben with Santa at the Christmas party. Ben was not happy....in case you can't tell.


Christmas Even night we went to Stephen and Rosalind's house and enjoyed reading the Christmas story together. It was a fun way to celebrate the birth of our Savior. Rosalind also had a fun kids activity to help explain the Christmas story. The kids realliy loved it. So

Creighton and I stayed up late and waited for Santa and helped him put out all their gifts. I wa so excited for Christmas morning I could hardly stand it. I wondered if the boys would sleep late or wake up early. As soon as I heard the softest sound from their room on Christmas morning, I went in to get them up. But to them it was just like any other morning. They wanted to come in our room and watch TV while we got ready. They weren't interested in going downstairs just yet and didn't fully understand why they were wearing special green pajamas.

As you can see here, they weren't too happy about being forced to come downstairs and they certainly weren't happy about having their picture taken!

But eventually they were persuaded to take a look.

This is the train set they got. By far this is their favorite gift.

They inspected everything before touching it. Like they couldn't believe it was ALL for them!

Alex showing off his Buzz and Woody dolls.

Creighton and I were expecting something akin to the Nintendo 64 Kid but alas we were sorely disappointed. It was kind of anti-climactic. We thought the day was going to be this wonderful, laid back day when the boys wouldn't fight and we'd have a totally easy day just hanging out, eating good food and the boys would play with their new toys in the floor while we watched a movie. No such luck! For them it was a regular day......with some new toys added. Oh well! Can't blame a girl for dreamin' right?

Speaking of dreamin'......I'm so excited for next Christmas. I can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning!!!

Ice Ice Baby

So, in true SC fashion, we don't get snow, we get ice! The kid were so excited to go out and play! I kept telling them it isn't like snow...it is hard, sharp, and crunchy - you can't build snowmen or snowballs, or make snow ice! It is good for nothing! Well, I was wrong! I finally agreed to let them go out! Our sweet neighbors across the street were out looking for their teenagers. They had sleds and everything. Well, next thing I know Mrs. Laura was taking my kids sledding. She offered me a sled, but after breaking my nose last year sledding, I declined! But she spent the next 45 plus minutes going up and down the icy hill with my kids. Sadly, it wasn't until after I brought Kate in that I thought to get my camera...so I have no photos of Kate! :(
Here is Bowen, Clair and Mrs. Laura! That little sled was flying! My kids LOVED it! (The sled was Mr. Craig's when he was a little boy! They don't make them like that anymore!) Here they are at the bottom of the hill!

Climbing the hill for the hundredth time. Shortly after this Bowen was ready to go in. But not Clair. Finally Stephen had to just say enough! I think she would have let Mrs. Laura sled with her all day!

For repayment I brought Craig and Laura (and Stephen) out some yummy tres leche carmel hot chocolate! Mrs Laura really earned hers! I am so grateful for such sweet neighbors!

Smart Kiddos!

I am just bursting with pride...the good kind...for how well my kids are doing in school. They are so well behaved, and are smart and work so hard. Kate made the principals honor roll again and also got back some great standardized tests scores. Clair also did really well (no true grades for Kindergarten) and is just really learning and growing SO much! And, if I had to give Bowen grades for being my little helper at home...of course he would be making all good marks too! Way to go Bright kids...you really are...well...BRIGHT! :)

Thanks to our good friend for this cute photo! I will make sure you all get copies soon!

New Years Eve

We invited a few friends over (we had 13 people total) for a Beatles Rock Band New Years Eve party...or Ringo'ed in the new year! Get it Ringo...Beatles...ok...
So we set up a big screen in the sun room and KT and Creighton brought their projector and we rocked out and ate (we had SO much yummy food it was insane) for several hours. Here is one the the groups playing! Here is some talking and eating...

Here is the all girl PJ band!

Here is all the married ladies...all the married ladies...since they liked it then they went and put a ring on it! Oh oh!

Creighton was real serious about the singing!

Kate and her bad girl rocker self! :)
It was a fun night! Happy New Years!

The Sunday After Christmas

The Sunday after Christmas I asked Stephen to take the kids outside and take some photos of them in their new clothes from Oma and Opa! They looked so cute! Stephen was so frustrated because they wouldn't all look at the camera! (He's just now figuring this out?) :)

See the kids far away....that's them! :) (Look at the poor wind blown greenery on the front of the house! The wind had been horrible!)

Up close, but once again, not all looking! But dang they are cute! Thanks for the cute clothes Oma and Opa!

Christmas Day

We were so happy to have Oma and Opa with us to celebrate Christmas! Here are Bowen's gifts from Santa!
Here are Kate's (left) and Clair's (right) gifts from Santa!

Here are the three little monkey's waiting to see what Santa brought them!

Run, run, run to see what you got! Oma and Opa were left behind in the dust!

Kate so happy to get a DSi! (Sorry the picture is blurry...it shows her true joy!)

Bowen and his train and bike!

Clair and her beloved violin! She loves it so much!

Yoyo Stephen playing Bach concerto in G minor!

Clair just loved her violin! She wants to play it all the time!

Look at those eyes! She can't get enough of it!

Bowen watching his train go through the tunnel!

It was a great day! The kids were happy, and the parents were happy, and the Oma and Opa were happy! What a great day!

Christmas Sunday

The kids all got new clothes from my mom and dad. They were more than happy to show them off! Here is Clair in her lovely dress. Clair sang a duet with Aunt Jessica at church! She sounded wonderful as did Jessica! Thanks Jessica!

Kate really loved her pink dress!

My handsome GQ man!

Gingerbread FHE

A few weeks before Christmas we we made gingerbread house for family home evening! Kate working hard on her house!
Clair color coordinated her house!

Bowen got by with a little help from his dad!

Clair's finished house...personalized with a big "C"

Proud was so happy with his house...and with all the candy he got to eat!

Kate finished product! It was so messy, but the kids loved it!

Christmas Sunday & Gingerbread Houses

The kid's in their Christmas BEST!

Our Family

So I have spent ALL week and I mean ALL week measuring, mixing, rolling, baking, and cutting out gingerbread houses. We planned to get together with some friends from our ward and build gingerbread houses. On top of all of that I had to prepare a Sacrament Meeting talk, finish up Christmas shopping, prepare a lesson for Primary (I was substituting for a friend), get the kids Christmas outfits ready, and all-in-all finish up the LAST minute Christmas things. It was a VERY busy but great week. We started the week off with my 32nd Birthday... and it was by far the BEST birthday ever! I got to spend the entire day with Tyler and we even got to go to dinner ALONE!

As we gathered yesterday to make gingerbread houses (baked-10 and made -9) I was filled with joy! We sure had a wonderful time, the kids were running around and sneeking candy here and there... but we did have an enjoyable Christmas time. I realize NOW why mom always enjoyed doing these with us. The baking part can be stressful, but the gathering together and the outcome is so joyful! I hope you will enjoy our gingerbread house pictures and the pictures of our family in their Christmas best! Love you all! Wish we could be with you this season!

Kisses and Hugs!

The Franklin Family

The WHOLE Gingerbread Gang (minus me!)
The missionaries even got to make their own houses!

Mandie & Chandler (daddy is deployed this Christmas season)

Marc, Kaleigh, & Heidi (our neighbors across the street)

Elizabeth with our house (she was so SLEEPY!)

The Edward's House (they hosted EVERYONE)-This house weighed a TON!

All 9 completed houses!

Kate's Recital!

So we all got to attend Kate's piano recital last week. She did a great job and performed two pieces! (WOW! I could never even remember one song!) Here is Kate with her sweet teacher Sis. Anderson!

This photo says it all...Bowen just going along with things, Kate annoyed, and Clair posing!

Never a good photo of all three!

Kate performing her first song!

Kate performing her second song!