A Christmas without crying...almost

It's been almost 6 years since I've enjoyed a Christmas without crying, and we were SO close to claiming a cry-free/tantrum-free Christmas again this year. I can't recall exactly why tears were shed at the end of the long day, but Corinne had "a moment" and we lost the title that we were oh so close to clinching. Maybe next year.

However, it was actually a very nice Christmas. Corinne woke up before Taylor and looked downstairs at all of the presents under the tree. With a genuinely shocked tone she said, "I WASN'T on the naughty list!!"

You were close, Rinny. Real close.

And she was equally surprised that there weren't any rocks in her stocking. Santa must have cut her some slack. He was pretty kind to the girls, and they truly got everything they could have even dreamed of asking for. It's pretty humbling to sit back as the girls open their presents from family. They are so loved and yes, spoiled. But they're also grateful. All I heard the day after Christmas was how "lucky"' they are to have this and "lucky" to have that. I corrected them a bit and let them know that they're actually blessed, not lucky. But I think they already knew that.

This year, I hosted the annual Christmas Eve Chinese food feast at our house, and it was so much fun. I think I've always liked Christmas Eve more than Christmas itself, because there's still that bit of anticipation in the air and none of the post-Christmas exhaustion. It's just nice to lounge around and stuff your face.

Christmas day was pretty hectic, but it was definitely easier than in years past. As the girls have gotten older, I've noticed that holidays have become less of a hassle and more enjoyable, thankfully. The only downfall this year was having to drive separate from Wes, since he was on call until the day after Christmas, but Taylor enjoyed driving along side him in the company truck.

We're now facing two weeks of vacation. Mixed emotions on my end. It's nice to have the girls home together and a total pain in the butt at times to keep them entertained it's nice to take it easy in the morning. 

Below are some pics of the holiday shenanigans, along with another fun family photo shoot. I can't wait to buy a few more lenses. Photography is by far my favorite hobby this year.

My nephew, Robby, had his first Christmas Eve with the family and he was a perfect angel. He's such a good baby and brings some of that new baby spirit into the family.

Taylor got a Furby. Auntie JJ and Uncle Jimmy delivered big time, and the girls were elated. A leap pad for Rinny and this robotic owl thingy for Tay.

Another great picture from Laura's wedding. We're going to miss her when she moves to Thailand.

We took one final trip to Magic Mountain with our season passes. We'll renew when we get our taxes back. =/

Aunt Sue and Uncle Mike gave the girls gift cards to Build a Bear. The girls had thee best time getting their animals!

With cousin  Logan and Ma.

The art desk we got for the girls. I think we might have been more excited than them.

Grandma and Grandpa got the girls their Dream Lights. Excited doesn't even begin to describe how they felt about this toy. lol And it's actually as cool as the commercial said. They project all over the ceiling.Now they can stop bugging poor Grandma about them.

Taylor, riding in the passenger seat.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer, is singing loud for all to hear!

Wow. Two posts in 2 days! Tis the season, I guess.

Wish I had a river, I could skate away on...

The tree is up, the presents have been purchased (stocking stuffers included), and we're ready for Christmas.

Quite honestly though, I think I'm just ready for a new year. 2012 has sucked the life out of me. It wasn't a bad year, but it's definitely pushed me down a few times and stretched me farther than I'm entirely comfortable with. At the beginning of the year, I assumed I knew exactly what 2012 had in store for me. Smooth sailing. A healthy family and strong friendships. It hasn't been entirely unpredictable, but there have been road bumps I definitely didn't foresee. New Years Day always gives me that little push I need to regroup and start anew.

Wes and I were able to have a night out at his company dinner last week. We were the only sober ones in the room, but I think we might have danced the most! Go figure. It was so much fun. Wes has really great friends at the Gas Co. and we all share a love of ridiculous 90's hip hop from our youth. It was a blast just getting out there and dancing with my handsome hubby. I even wore red lipstick for him after much begging and pleading on his part for the last few years, despite how much I may or may not resemble a street walker when wearing it.

I broke down and got a tree the first week of December. I loved watching the girls decorate it with such enthusiasm. Corinne even let me take a picture. (This almost never happens.)

Corinne finished her first little semester of "preschool," and her friendship with Madelyn makes me so happy. They are two peas in a pod. Her mother is wonderful too, which is an added bonus. And I've heard stories of how Madelyn is clingy and introverted in large groups. Sound like anyone we know? It was meant to be. Other than that, Corinne is demanding, adorable, emotional, brilliant, loving, and a giant pain in the rear lately. We fight every morning over her wardrobe. The girl won't wear anything but skirts and dresses. Pants are "not cute."

Diva!

Ms. Tay has ditched the training wheels on her bike. Wes FINALLY had the time on his vacation to take her to the park to give it a go. It only took 30 minutes before she was riding around like a pro. And it only took us 2 seconds to realize her bike is way too small for her. The poor kid's knees were hitting the handle bars. Looks like we need to fork over the cash soon for a new one. Ugh. But she was so proud of herself! She's growing up at the speed of light.
2012-12-11 16.46.18 from Nikki Pollard on Vimeo.

The kids were also flower girls at my cousin's wedding this past weekend. Laura was just stunning and composed as ever. The vows she exchanged with her husband, Kyle, were moving. They both said how their love was "complex and sustaining," and everything that they said made you realize that they are truly meant for each other. It was just beautiful.  We got to see Grandpa the Great and Uncle Andy very briefly at the reception, but had to bow out early. The kids passed out in the car on the way to grab some lunch, so we just took them home. Party poopers.

And we finished off this weekend with a trip to the Los Angeles temple. I love seeing the kids with their cousins. They adore them! It's all I hear about. "Can Logan come over?" "Can we have a sleep over with Cael and Logan at Grandma's house?" Cousins are like built-in friends.

Someone had been up for 14 hours, straight. Obviously.

Lastly, I think it would be impossible not to mention how much I've felt effected these last few days by the shooting in Connecticut. In 20 years, when I pull this blog-book off the shelf and read this entry, I'm sure I'll still feel a sense of confusion and sadness at how someone could do something so horrific.

I was working Friday when I walked by a TV in our Boys and Girls Club on campus. All it said was, "Elementary School Shooting." It didn't say where. I froze, and so did the math teacher I was working with. The footage didn't resemble anywhere around here, and my heart gave a sigh of relief. But as the story unfolded, and every TV in the office was turned on to watch the news, my heart just dropped. Because even though it took place far away, it felt close to home. It could have happened anywhere.

 I came home and hugged the girls a lot that day. I watched "Cinderella" with them and snuggled, instead of playing on my iphone while they watched, like I normally do. And I played Barbie's even longer than normal (Typically, I can only stand 30 minutes of Barbie's at a time, to be honest.) 

After holding it in all day, it caught up to me as I was unpacking Taylor's lunch. I found the note I had written to her that morning. "Have fun at lunch. I love you!" I thought of all of those kids. The notes that went unread in their own lunch boxes. It seems like such a silly thing to think about, but I just lost it. My heart hurts for those families.

Can someone please tell me where I can purchase a bubble for these girls. A big, protective, evil-proof bubble.

And because I needed to lighten the mood for my own mental health....The video below is hysterical. Well, probably only hysterical to me, but hysterical none the less. I can't remember if I posted it before, but it's our home movie called "Pillow Master." Wes always acts like he's some sort of karate master, and Zero is his side kick. The girls jump around throwing pillows and play fighting. This happens, oh...once a week. It's funnier in person.
The Pillow Master from Nikki Pollard on Vimeo.


The Pillow Master from Nikki Pollard on Vimeo.


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