Finally- Christmas Pictures

Just catching up...

We started our own tradition of Christmas Eve at home with a nice honeybaked ham dinner, Martinelli's and the china.

The kids tracking Santa all over the world.

Our neighbor gave us reindeer food so Jackson spread it out for us.


Christmas morning - Savvy couldn't look away from her kitchen even to get a picture taken.

Savvy with all her loot. 'Slipstick' was plentiful- so she was in heaven

Well, as soon as the Wii and Rockband came out- that was the end, Mom had to pry it out of their hands to get them in car to go to dinner at Grandma's.

Ok- so random picture- Notice Tango on the top of her new 'perch'. She climbs up the rock wall and peers over the fence to terrify the neighbors. Oh and we have to add something to the top of the fence she can run up and over the 6' fence too.



On New Year's Day we went to Big Bear to play in a little snow and to remind Mom of why we live in southern California (snow's too cold and wet for me an hour is about all I can handle).

Snowball fight :) Mom made monster snowballs for Rocky and Savvy to even the playing field.

Couldn't leave without building a snowman.

Ok, so she really likes stuffed animals and blankets. We'll come and check on her before we go to bed and she will have collected everything soft that she can find and sometimes there's not enough room for her. And our new power struggle is keeping the PJs on. She's learned that she can take them off after we put her to bed and we don't notice. So she does it just because she can.

And to all a good night.

It's been busy so I haven't updated as much as I would like. I'll try and do better.

A Meeting With Santa

Ok so I have the cutest kids in the world!

We went to our church Christmas party last night and the kids got to see Santa.

Last year Savannah freaked out- So I was happy this year when we actually got a smile!!! I had to explain to Santa that we only needed one Wii - Even though both boys were asking for it - only one was needed.

These were taken this morning in their Christmas outfits!!!

Jackson woke me up at six this morning and informed me only 4 more days 'til Christmas!!

Christmas Decor and Celebrations

Cookie Day

Every year at Christmas time my mother, sisters and I get together and make an obscene amount of cookies to combine and hand out as gifts to various friends, family, etc. Here's my sister Anna (on the phone) making gingerbread cookies.

I think Rock was sampling as he was decorating.

Jackson being artistic- Mom didn't think of the mirror- not very professional.

Auntie Natty and Grandma being very patient with Savannah who is directing their decorating.

Cookies, cookies and more cookies!

Here's Jackson at his School Christmas Performance. They did jingle bells with these differerent length hallow sticks that were different notes. Jackson would whack himself on the head to sound off his note. Mom and Dad were laughing, we were crying. It was better than CATS.

Ok So I love Christmas too. So here's some of my decorating. I think I have too much fun doing this. There's too much stuff to take pics of everything so here's my favorites. I might change a few things next year, but for the most part I'm happy with everything. Did I mention that I love Christmas!

The Island-

The Morning Room

Morning Room again.

Kitchen Counter

More Kitchen counters

Upstairs- Kids Tree in the 'Library'

Family Room Buffet Table

Living Room

Entry Console Table

Kids decorating the Family Tree in the Family Room

Formal Dining Room (notice the Nerf ball in the centerpiece - I'm writing it off as proof of my Children's ever present existence)

Outside- It looks better with no flash

Side note- When I was a little girl I dreamed of having a big house that I would decorate at Christmas with lots of white icicle lights. I feel very blessed.

Kids by the completed tree- I call these their Christmas Inmate outfits- they are really cute though:-)



Again- I like it with no flash.

Remember the reason for this blessed season!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

Love,

The Clarkes

Thanksgiving

A few days before Thanksgiving we made a Thankful Turkey. Everyone wrote or drew pics of things they were grateful for and then hung them all on the mirror in the morning room. The kids had a good time and it's nice to count blessings.

My assignment for Thanksgiving was pies. I like to bake so I made 5. Two pumpkin, two apple and a pecan. We had them with whipcream or ice cream. I love pie.

We had Thankgiving at the Kriels. Angela had this Idea to do our normal "natural" centerpiece in whites. It turned out stunning.

Kelly smoked the turkey. It was delicious and I don't think I've ever seen a prettier one.

Meryl-Rose putting the finishing touches on.

The Crew- minus Me (taking the pic) and Kimball (upstairs- not realizing that it was time).

We had an awesome and filling day. And I just wanted to say how thankful I am for my friends and family!!!

Fun Filled Saturday

Saturday was a project day. We worked on the backyard, garage and upstairs--all spots that desperately needed attention. We got a lot done but had some fun too. Rocky learned how to ride his bike without training wheels!!! Yeah!!!! Here are a few pics of Dad and Rocky in training or sans training wheels;-)

After a long day of work and play-- baths, a little wrestling with dad and bed!

I had to add the actual Halloween night pics- The Loot!!!

Savvy looking a little ragged after Trick-or-treating!

I think the picture says it all!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rocky had to spread his out to find his favorites.

We went with the Flores trick-or-treating- it was a blast!