Merry Christmas!!!

Happy Holiday's From The Prideaux's!!

Well, Noelle was up at around 6. (in her defence, she gets up at 6 for school) Michael was up by 7:15. (he usually gets up about 7:20)

A mad dash was made for the living room to see what Santa had brought. Noelle got an American Girl doll and a new Anastasia movie. (she went through 2 VCR tapes!) Michael got a Spiderman vs. Venom dart game and a new Toy Story 2 movie. He also got a Buzz Lightyear bath robe.

Noelle's big gift was a cell phone. Sean couldn't figure out how to use his, so he got a new one and Noelle got his old one. (keeping in mind, "old" is about three months) We were pretty sneaky in how we did it. Noelle was about to open a present when Sean called her phone making a different present ring. She ripped it open and of course screamed.

Michael's big gift was a new guitar. He also got a pedal that makes a ton of different sounds. He, just like his sister screamed. He is playing it right now as I'm typing this. We will all soon be deaf.

Sean's big gift was a black leather coat. He's never had a nice coat and since I got one last year, I figured it was time for him to wear something other than his work coat. He did not scream.

My big gift was, believe it or not, better than the under the sink flip down storage thing. When we had been dating for about three years, he gave me a promise ring that had six rubies and three diamond chips. Several years ago, one of the rubies fell out. I had told Sean that I would like to have a new ruby put in for Valentines Day. I guess Valentines Day came early because I got it today! Of course I screamed.

After a couple of naps on the couch, it was off to mom and dad's to celebrate with them and Amy and Riley. (Jack was sick, so he stayed home with Jon) Everyone got things they asked for and then some. Probably one of THE best came from Jon and Amy. They felt that after me going to school, dealing with a crappy job and Sean trying to start a business, we deserve to go to Chateau Avalon. It becomes a "win-win" situation for all because we will drop the kids off at their house and when the boys get up early, Jon and Amy can sleep in because the kids will get up with them!

We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and that the New Years is good to you. Sorry I didn't get cards out this year. That's my goal for next year.

'Twas The Night Before Christmas

and all the shopping is done! Yes, I had one last gift that I got today.

We had a great day. We had Sean's dad and his girlfriend over today. Michael got one of the things he had asked Santa and this was the exchange:

• Michael "Cool! I get two!"
• Mommy "Are you sure?"
• Michael "Yeah, I asked him for it and now I'll get two!"
• Grampa "Well Michael, the thing is Santa called and he couldn't find it and asked if I could."
• Michael "Cool! I get one!"

He also got something called a "Tommy 20". We have all now been attacked by this. It's pretty neat. The end of the foam darts have suction cups.

Noelle got a gift card to JC Penny to do "some serious shopping". I'm thinking we will wait until well after Christmas to go there.

Edna made both of the kids one of those tie blankets. They are huge and warm. I took a nap with Michael's on the couch and was super cozy.

Each Christmas Eve, we all get to open one gift. The kids each got Tooth Tunes, Sean got "Blazing Saddles" and I got the best gift of all!!!!

I opened my gift and it was a "Cat In The Hat" DVD box. I opened it up and inside there was a coupon that said "Coupon:I will build your flip-out drawer under the sink~Sean". I was so excited, not only is this something I've wanted for a long time, but it was on my list of "surprise me" things off the fridge. We go out to the kitchen and had the following conversation:

• Sean: "Do you want one with handles like the drawers or one that pulls down?"
• Me: "One that pulls down." (thinking this will never be installed, but smiling)
• Sean: "You don't want one with the handles?"
• Me: "No, I want one that pulls down."
• Sean: (pointing to a drawer handle) "So you don't want one with handles, but one that pulls down like this."
• Me: (screaming loudly with what little voice I have) "Oh my gosh!!!!!"

Sean said he has never seen a woman get so excited about storage space.

He said I'll like my present tomorrow even better. I can't imagine what could top that!

It's Cold Outside!!

It's more than cold! We are supposed to have freezing rain just in time for me to go to work tonight~fun!!

We are having the chimney cleaned tomorrow. We haven't had that done since we moved in. It was never used by the people before us, so there is only five years of build up. We have gotten a lot of wood from the area around the building, we should be set for the year.

More presents are wrapped, but more have yet to be bought. We did get one annoying present for the twins. I think they need a couple more, don't you.

He Tried

Well, Michael had his soccer game. They didn't win, but they played well. Michael was the goalie for part of the game. He was pretty good.

This soccer is much different than the outdoor soccer he plays. They use a smaller ball and only play five players at time. It is about half the size of the regular field and is pretty fast paced. He has no more games until January, but practice continues for the next two weeks.

750 Lights, OH MY

Yep, that's how many lights are on our tree. It's a mixture of white and color lights. It has a chain that Noelle made a few years ago, several homemade ornaments, a lot from Hallmark and on the top is an Angel that Michael made in 2004.

Somehow, we missed the start time for Michael's soccer game today. He has another one at 2, (yes, I'm sure of the time) tomorrow, but since we are getting freezing rain right now, I have a feeling it may be called off.

There are a few presents under the tree. The biggest one is for me from Sean. It has all kind of "no peeking", "no shaking" instructions on it. There is also a card on it. I asked him the other day if I could read the card. He said I could. I open it up and it plays music. Inside there is a piece of paper that he has written:

"What are you thinking? I knew you would look so I booby-trapped the card with music and I'm not going to write in it until December 24th. I love you, Sean"

He starts cracking up and says "I knew you wouldn't be able to wait".

I hate it when he's right.

Crazy, But That's How It Goes

I was doing so good about posting everyday!!!

I am going to attempt to get back to posting everyday.

I have been working like crazy! I have found that trying to flip flop between days and nights it just too much.

It's snowing here today and it is the big fluffy flake kind. As I had said, the light on the house are up, but I guess we need more cords because they aren't working. They did, but are now not wanting to light up. Since it's snowing today, I don't see me out there trying to solve the problem. We ARE getting our tree tonight. We went to Hallmark yesterday and the kids and I got our ornaments. Michael was VERY upset that there were no Buzz Lightyear ornament this year.

The windows will be in next week for the shop. Up next, heat!