Christmas and New Year's Eve 2013

OK this will be one big grand daddy of a post.  I usually take lots of pictures of the tree.  This year we had a tree and we had our ornaments, I just didn't take so many pictures.  The tree had LED lights that were of  the bluish hue - it was special.  Watch out for next year because we shopped the clearance aisle of Target after xmas and picked up some new holiday decorations.  But you will just have to wait until next year :)  

We did make gingerbread houses.  We put that leftover Halloween candy to good use.  I love this re-usable plastic houses.  Just as the box says you just get to do the fun part - the decorating!

What Christmas season is complete without a visit to the Bass Pro Shop Santa?  The expressions are priceless however!  Santa was trying very hard to listen to Grant and Grant was thinking very hard about what to say.

We went to the candle light Christmas Eve service at church.  Yes again, more fire at the church and as soon as we walked in the usher handed Grant a candle - YIKES!  I LOVE this service, it is one of my favorite.  We sing all of the good xmas songs and the church looks beautiful and all in all you just really feel the xmas spirit.  However, all of this being said one of the funniest parts is finding a seat.  It is always crowded and no matter how early you think you are it is never early enough.  I will never forget the year our family was ushered to the first pew (so it wasn't a long pew and it was before we had kids).  It was such a tight squeeze we literally had to stand up and sit down in unison to fit!  We all laughed so hard.  This year was a similar situation except we had the kids sitting on our laps.  When they decided they didn't want to sit on our laps anymore it got to be quite a tight squeeze.  Instead of being in the front we were 2nd to last in the back with good family friends of ours sitting behind us - equally as cozy!  Grant actually fell asleep through half of it, but in fear of him not falling asleep xmas eve night we woke him before communion.  The kids both held candles and Grant took great pleasure in blowing his out...twice!  We then headed home for a steak dinner with my parents.  

After dinner Daddy did his traditional reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas.

We headed home to prepare the milk and cookies.  Grant really likes having his picture taken!

EB divided cookies for Santa and Mrs.Claus. 

 The kids also sprinkled their reindeer food out on the lawn.  And it worked - Santa found us!

Traditional "Kids go stand by the tree so I can take your picture!" picture

A goofy one!

We were a little nervous about the kids sleeping so close to the tree so we made a little barrier.  We were worried about one of them getting up in the middle of the night and not having their xmas surprise with us.  Santa leaves one unwrapped present for the kids.  In our old house we just put a baby gate at the top of the stairs and we waited until everyone was awake and went down together.  Grant is usually our alarm clock so we had to safe guard against any peeking!  

Their beds are on the other side of the chairs.  See how blue the tree is!

Sleep was not a problem - they were out cold!

This does not look comfortable but does explain the morning hair-dos! 

He looks pretty comfy :)

We got to sleep until 6:45 and then it was show time!

Santa brought Elizabeth the Digital Barbie Make-up Mirror that she wanted.

Grant got a new barn and silo with a couple of big semi trucks.

Christmas morning was a lot of fun.  Grant couldn't unwrap his gifts fast enough!  Just the stage he is in.  Elizabeth diligently unwrapped each one and gave us hugs and thank yous after each gift.  However, when the kids exchanged gifts Grant did go over and hug his sister - it was priceless!  Kenny Pops was on FaceTime with us from AZ and my parent's came over a little later to watch the kids unwrap gifts and for breakfast.  

Getting ready to open their stockings.  Powered toothbrushes are always a big hit!

She wanted ear muffs so bad!  I was very excited to give her this gift.  BTW, the snowflake picture in the background is an Elizabeth original.  

Daddy helping EB with her make-up!

 The kids got lots of classic games...Trouble, Operation, Connect4.  They are such a fun age to play games.  Grant plays Operation the way he opens presents!  He needs to work on his finite surgical skills!

The hug!

For the past few years Ima and Pops have taken the kids to the mall to do their own shopping at the Secret Santa store.  It is always a hoot to see what they buy for us.  Grant had to give Ima her gift a few weeks earlier.  The day after he brought his gifts home he decided to drop hers on the floor and I could tell it broke and upon further investigation found a Mini Cooper piggy bank in pieces.  He had to give it her and tell her what happened.  It was very painful and tearful, but Pops did save the day by gluing it back together!  We had to all laugh about him giving her a piggy bank though.  As if his mind was really thinking "Put some coin in their for me Ima!"  Elizabeth got my mom and I jewelry.  My mom got a "Grandmother" necklace with pink stones.  I got blue heart earrings, a plastic pearl necklace and a bracelet.  Grant also gave me what he thought were colorful sparkly bracelets but were actually hair ties.  They insisted I wear all this things (together) to the Schoch family Christmas later that day.  Which I did, but probably not as proudly as I should have (I was a little embarrassed).  My mom does a much better job proudly wearing her "Grandmother" necklace.  They are always so proud to give us gifts that they hand pick and it is fun to watch them keep a secret.  Elizabeth got Brandon a cat ornament ... not like Caterpillar, but just a cat.  It was hilarious and then she didn't want Pops to see him open it because she had gotten him the same thing, but turned out it was the golf paper holder that she had gotten both of them for their desks.  She got her brother a beanie baby alligator that was green with yellow eyes because she knows how much he loves green and yellow and a Mickey Mouse puzzle.  She is a very thoughtful gift giver.

 Grant got dad a pen set that said "#1 Dad" and Elizabeth a purple purse - also thoughtful.

I know her eyes are closed...but there is the purple purse.

Thank you Brandon for once again wearing the "I'd Hit That" old softball t-shirt on Christmas morning!

Elizabeth with her Strawberry Shortcake house. 

Grant really likes Elizabeth's big dollhouse.  Just the other day she pouted "He is always playing with it - I never get to!"  We told her when he's 9 he probably won't think the Loving Family Dollhouse is so cool!

We had breakfast and played all morning - it was wonderful.  Early afternoon we headed to Aunt Ruth's for the Schoch family Christmas.  It was a little more low key and a smaller group than years past.  The aunts all got the kids really nice gifts and we had a nice dinner and a great time chatting with everyone.  We headed home and prepared for the arrival of our siblings the next day!

Uncle David and Aunt Sara came in the next day and celebrated the Heller Christmas on Friday.  We had fondue with them one night and enjoyed the short time that they were here.  They were lucky enough to have a team to cheer for in the Rose Bowl (Michigan State) so they were off to California and they got to leave the cold behind too!  We even arranged a last minute Christmas Minute to Win It game and had a lot of laughs.  The boys won, but it was close!  A few pics from the Heller Christmas...

Aunt Sara & Uncle David

The holiday dress and the "most amazing brother ever" t-shirt that really hurts Elizabeth's feelings because she doesn't have an "most amazing sister" shirt!

EB secret Santa shopped for Sara and David and found them "Best Aunt" and "Best Uncle" keychains.

Coloring in her new giant size coloring book.

Hot Dog got new STL Cardinals clothes 

Minute to Win It fun.  She is moving a cookie from her forehead to her mouth- using only her face (and was successful!)

All I had to do was stack these 5 apples to win it for the girls, but I couldn't do it!  David figured it out though!

Next up was the extended family Christmas at Aunt Becky's and Uncle Darrell's.  We had a special visit from Santa that was a surprise to us.  Becky had us all singing xmas carols and then we heard his bells ring!  The kids really got into it and since Elizabeth was on his lap Grant had no problem standing near by.  He was sitting on my lap when Santa first entered and his grip tightened!  But by the time poor Santa was leaving he was having a hard time keeping his beard on and his hat fell off and when he stood up his belt was falling down!  The adults were having lots of chuckles.  

Stella, Santa, EB and Grant

New Year's Eve finally arrived and it was the Pauli Christmas.  We decided to celebrate in part on the 31st because we are all really looking forward to a new and better year!  The kids are always excited to see their cousins and even had a sleepover with them the day before we celebrated.

Christmas Cousin Bath!  The bubbles about swallowed poor Briggs!

Kenny Pops is a trooper!  With 4 kids under the age of 5 you never know what you are going to get.  Needless to say it took us ALL day to open gifts.  We got a bit of a late start, then one would get hungry, then they would all get hungry, one would need to nap, two more should have but....they get excited and want to play with everything they open...they want to open gifts faster (Grant) etc.... someone is hungry again - you get the idea.  Luckily, we know to expect this and go in with the mindset that we are flexible and just go with it and always have a good time.  The highlight of the Pauli Christmas is always the pickle game.  This year Grant was the victor for the grandkids and won $10.  It took him less than a minute to find the large pickle.  The tiny adult pickle game was another story this year.  We had Aunt Sandy and Billy there to help hide it.  After 30 minutes and a total tree striping...I mean ornaments, lights, popcorn garland and branches were off the tree before Brian finally found it wrapped up in some branches.  Unfortunately his lotto cards only produced him a $7 win.

Yay Grant!

Two years in a row for Brian!

The victors!

Do you spot the flying fairy? The kids had a lot of fun with the girls' new FlutterBye fairies. 

Apple dominated the quiet time.  We joked that Steve Jobs was looking in the family room and smiling  - at one point we ALL had an apple device in our hands (and I think they might have been a couple of spares on the table) - crazy.

Brandon got new warm bibs. 

Pops and the pickle winner.

We got Briggs light up Minnie Mouse shoes as a joke, but Grant was quite fond of them too!  I think there is an untapped market for dress up shoes for boys!

We wrapped the night up with an adult spin on the game Boom Boom Balloon and rang in the New Year with some progressive rummy.  This was our first Christmas without Mimi.  We all really missed her - especially during the pickle game (for various reasons!).  Amber made us a picture that says "Because someone we love is in heaven, there is a little heaven in our home."  We unwrapped them at the same time Kenny gave the kids cards that Robin had bought for them.  They weren't written in, but were just really nice daughter/son cards - the kind that says what you would want to say.  It was sweet and drew some tears.  Most of all we just keep talking about her and remembering all the good stuff.

Aunt Sandy popped the balloon in the game a lot...but was such a good sport!

The kids got kind of upset when we took the tree down so I promised them I'd post a picture of them with one of their favorite ornaments.  Keeping true to my word...

Poor puffy teary eyes :(   

As many of my FB friends said "2013, don't let the door hit you on your way out!"  We still have a lot to be thankful for this year, but I am really hoping we have a lot more positive things to share in 2014.  Let's make it a great 2014!  Brandon likes to quote an old car dealership commercial "Something goods going to happen to you!"  I have a hunch he just might be right! Stay tuned...

Sunday School Program

Well no points for parents of the year here...we forgot the camera and failed to even snap a quick picture with our cell phones.  Use your imagination.  Elizabeth wore her "holiday dress" (cream with red flowers) and Grant wore his cords and plaid shirt his "church clothes!"  The kids sang Away In A Manger, Silent Night and the gloria part of Hark the Herald.  They did a nice job and as always Grant was right by Elizabeth's side.  They always put on a lovely sibling show in church.  They hold hands when walking up to the children's sermon, sing together in Sunday School, etc... and then wait until they get home to beat the heck out of each other!  Anyway, it was determined that live fire will not be used in future Christmas programs.  Yes, some of the smaller kids were a little rowdy near low lit candles.  I considered going over to babysit the area, but honestly was fearful of my ponytail catching on fire!  We all made it out alive!

Snow = Fun

This was the first snowfall of the year.  Ok really more like a big flurry as you can see the grass isn't even covered!  But the kids had to bundle up and go play.  Here are their concrete snow angels.  I am guessing Elizabeth is pointing and telling Grant exactly where to next make his angel :)

Finally real accumulation.  (6 inches or so?)  The trees were beautiful.   The snow was really fine, small flakes and fell with no wind so the branches caught it perfectly.  It was so pretty to wake up and see the next mooring and it was a Saturday so lots of time to play!

I love taking pictures of Grant against this tree.  Look at those cold rosy cheeks! 

Oh and that smile!

Thank goodness we had sleds! Thanks mom and dad for letting them open a few xmas gifts early!

They loved being pushed and Pops' patented "twisted sister" move is now a classic.  The snow stayed for quite a few days and the kids sledded everyday they could.  The day ended with Elizabeth learning that you do not throw a snowball at your brother's face.  Poor kid couldn't even open his eyes it stung so bad.  You know the feeling, we have all had it happen to us.  She just couldn't believe that it would hurt that bad - oh honey.  Anyway lesson learned.

We got more snow today but it was just to bitterly cold to let them play outside.  We need it to warm up just a bit so they can use their new snow goggles! Until then think warm thoughts as Grant played in his swimsuit one day!

Elizabeth's Pre-School Xmas Program

This year Elizabeth's class sang Jingle Bells, Rudolph and We Wish You a Merry Christmas.  As last year, the program was short and sweet.  I had asked her earlier in the day which side of the church we should sit on so we would be closest to her.  As they were filing in I was beginning to think she had told us wrong, but true to Elizabeth's accurate fashion she was right in front of us!  I think Grant was tempted to get up there and sing along too since they had practiced so much in the car together.  In the end I think he was really just in it for the cookies and milk at the end :)

A Visit from the Tooth Fairy

Elizabeth has had a loose tooth since before Thanksgiving.  I was certain she would loose it in the turkey (not because the turkey was hard or dry or anything...just because I thought it was ready!)  Apparently, I had a lot to learn about loose teeth.  Everyone else in the family took one look at it and said "No way, it isn't ready!"  I was pretty sure if she let me try I could pull it out, but of course she wasn't letting anyone try to pull it!  So Thanksgiving came and went and the wiggling of the tooth continued.  Every few days Johnny Pops would check it to see if it was ready.  I was beginning to think Santa and the Tooth Fairy would be coming at the same time.  Finally on Dec 16th we all decided it was ready, but she wanted Daddy to be the one to pull it.  She was scared it was going to hurt so every time he got close she pulled away.  Finally a few hours after he had been home we convinced her it would be ok and he pulled it.  We have a very dramatic video of the whole process!  She was excited and said it didn't hurt.  Her adult tooth has made quite a bit of progress into the empty space.  We talk regularly about loose teeth.  She always has another one that is loose (um...one is just barely wiggling!) and Grant has lots of loose teeth (no not at all, but he's trying to keep up with big sister!)

Thank goodness I didn't pack our special tooth fairy pillow into storage.  She was excited to put her tooth in the pillow and wait for the tooth fairy.  The tooth fairy replaced her tooth with a very special glittery $2 bill.

Dear Santa

The park district does a letter to Santa mailbox each year on the square.  We have participated the last few years and when I saw the box I was reminded that the kids hadn't written their letters yet.  So yesterday we worked on that.  Elizabeth did a really good job with her writing.  I spelled everything for her but she knew how to make all of the letters and her spacing wasn't too bad!  It was not hard for her to compile her list.  Grant on the other hand needed lots of help.  Of course he didn't do any writing, but he really hasn't had any clear ideas on what he wants for Christmas.  In our family Santa only brings one gift and on Christmas morning it is unwrapped and waiting for them under the tree.  With any luck it is the one gift that they really want.  "For your consideration" was added so that they know they might get everything on their list.  Elizabeth began to get concerned that she had listed five things but how would Santa know which one she really wanted? Thus the star next to the Barbie Makeup Mirror.  Which leads me into the story of the Barbie Makeup Mirror.  I had downloaded the Barbie Make-up App (which was of course free) not really knowing what it was.  You look into the screen and the camera put your face on the screen, like a mirror and then makeup magically appears and even if you move your head the makeup stays on.  It is kind of cool I admit.  BUT if you have the $80 makeup console you can apply different styles and colors etc....thus the reason the app was free - big marketing ploy and it caught her, hook line and sinker!  So she has been talking about wanting this and I was trying to discourage it, but then had the idea to let her look at it with me online so she could see what it actually does so she would know if it was something she would really want.  I mentioned this to my mom and with all of her grace and wisdom she said "really Alison you are making your 5 year old research her Christmas gift?"  Oh Mom, you are so right :) So instead I went home and did the research myself and watched a few YouTube videos of it and I think she actually will love it!  I hope Santa doesn't disappoint her if that is indeed what he chooses for her.

Then there is Grant.  When I asked him what he wanted to put on his list, he named things the other people wanted.  Then he came up with the angel idea.  Brandon and I bought our current angel one year after Christmas on a clearance rack.  She has beautiful fiber optics behind her that change colors and a star the lights up in one of her hands.  This week the fiber optics went out and now just the star shines.  I happened to think this was an improvement, of course the children disagreed.  The chances of finding another special angel like this will probably be difficult.  Perhaps we can clearance angel shop as a family together after Christmas this year.  The next thing, "a new house" just about broke my heart.  Of course with so many people being displaced because of the tornado it makes me feel guilty, because we need a house due to our own circumstances, not mother natures.  And just the fact that this made his  Christmas list kind of made me sad too :( But then we were on to more Grant like things....a hot dog maker!! Yes Bed Bath & Beyond sells a rotating style hot dog maker - so why would he not want one?! Then a toy catalog on the kitchen counter helped him with the barn and trailer idea.  Buddy, you aren't making this easy on Santa this year!  Of course last week all he wanted was a green and white phone to call his buddy Gavin - so who knows!!

Oh and the whole kicker...I missed the deadline by one day and the mailbox is gone. I guess we will just have to mail it directly to the North Pole!

Thanksgiving 2013

This year we have so much to be thankful for.  I would like to think that I am thankful for these things every year, but the most basic things have been striped away from people in the last two weeks and it truly makes you think about what is most important.  I had a friend who wrote "we lost everything but each other."  That puts a lot into perspective.  The question "If you only had five minutes to grab things what would you take?" has taken on a whole new meaning.  As well as our emergency plan/kit and where we store items in our home (or where we will when we get settled).  At the end of the day it is the PEOPLE not the STUFF that matters most.  This was our first holiday without Mimi (and she is our "people")  I know the next one is going to be even harder.  We also didn't get to see Kenny Pops as he was out west celebrating.  Despite the changes and devastation we remain strong and thankful.  Our community looks broken, but there are so many blessings.  I like to think of it as broken, but blessed.  The destruction is everywhere.  No matter what route I take the kids to school, or drive to dance or swimming you see the path the tornado took.  I hate that the kids have to see it everyday and that it has become part of their normal.  The word "damage" is in both of their vocabularies.  We have months and months of this ahead of us.  This isn't something that gets picked up overnight.  I am so thankful for the leaders and helpers.

David and Sara were home for Thanksgiving this year.  They got to experience our compound living situation :) The kids had so much fun playing with them and they do such a good job entertaining them.  I realized that the day they were leaving I hadn't told Elizabeth and she wasn't prepared for their departure.  Grant hugged and kissed them both, but then reached for Uncle David again and gave him an extra hug.  I am certain the kids didn't want them to leave.  Luckily they will be back in da few short weeks for Christmas!

My parent's prepared an awesome Thanksgiving feast.  As good as all of the food tasted I couldn't help to think how lucky we were to just be in their home, at their table, enjoying each other in familiar surroundings.  We have so many friends that are displaced and living in transition and facing so many unknowns.  Not having a house (on most days) doesn't seem like such a big deal.

Another very big challenge we are facing is helping the kids understand the circumstances and how to share their things with those who have lost so much.  Giving with a grateful heart cannot be forced, but must come from within.  Elizabeth struggled at first and didn't want to share any of her things (even things that she didn't use or wear anymore).  She finally said she would share as long as they promised to give them back (!) and that's the best we could get.  Of course I hold the mirror to ourselves and think have we not set a good example? Why does she not want to share?! But I realize that she is probably internally scared and is trying hard to hold on to what she does have, as a lot of her stuff isn't physically with us at the moment.  After a few weeks we finally had a break through and when I explained that there was a little girl that needed her help she wanted to choose what to give her and I knew her heart was truly in the right place this time (and she didn't ask for it back!).  I think letting her choose and be part of the process probably helped.  I should have guessed that letting them be involved in the process would help.  After choosing an outfit she did turn to Grant and say "You know if a little boy needs a swimsuit you may have to give up some of your stuff too!" We still have a ways to go with him, but he is only 3!

Count all of your blessings...everyday! Lots of good reminders this holiday season!

The Paulis "Washington Strong"