Mickey The Elf...

Tonight the door bell rang, The Elf On The Shelf was on our doorstep.  The kids brought the box inside, read the story and named their new elf "Mickey".  Tonight we put him up on the toy organizer in the front play room.  The kids are very curious to see where he ends up in the morning.  Well Rosalia doesn't really care... she was more interested in going to bed!!  Dillon isn't sure he believes but even if he was 100% on board he would NOT have cooperated for a picture!!  We all know taking a picture is the worst form of torture to him!!

For those of you not familiar with The Elf On The Shelf...
Inside the box is a story about the elf on the shelf along with an elf.  When you receive this box you are to read the book with your children, name the elf, and NOT touch him while he stays in your home between the time of his arrival and Christmas Eve.  During the day, he watches the kids and at night he flies back to the North Pole and reports to Santa which children have been naughty or nice.  If anyone touches him, he loses his magic and can't get back to the North Pole!  On Christmas Eve, he goes back to the North Pole with Santa until next year.

Happy 12 YEARS!

Today, Marc and I have been married for 12 years!  I am always amazed when a birthday or anniversary comes around.  Time just seems to fly by!  Every year we say we aren't going to buy each other anything... yet every year we each end up surprising each other with some sort of gift.  This year Marc over did himself!  Not only did he buy a beautiful photo memory book with personalized engraving on the front, but he also bought me a diamond heart necklace!  You all know I am NOT a jewelry type of girl.  It's not that I don't like jewelry, but with kids climbing on me day in and day out, it always worries me about something breaking or getting lost.  The necklace is BEAUTIFUL!  I am a bit nervous to have the chain break or to lose the heart but not nervous enough to not wear it!!  =)  My gift to Marc wasn't near as fancy but it was a much desired item... 2 sets of large stackable coffee mugs.  Oh and he wanted his favorite donuts for breakfast which he did receive as well! 

Later on Marc's wonderful parents took the kids for the evening so that we could go out to dinner.  The Melting Pot has been one of those "must try" restaurants on our radar for sometime but we have never seemed to find the time to go.  Tonight we decided to try it out.  It's definitely an interesting dining experience to say the least.  For those that have never been, its all fondue.  Everything brought to your table is uncooked/raw.  There is a burner and fondue pot in the center of the table where all the food is then cooked and consumed.  We were warned that our dining experience would take about 2-2 1/2 hours long.  Now we understand why.  The flavors were really good.  I am not sure Marc is anxious to go back anytime soon.  I can't say I am over the top impressed... I mean it was good but without the deals they had going on, I am not certain I would be willing to pay full price for that kind of meal.  We both left with beyond full tummies though!!  We even got to take home a box of their signature chocolate covered strawberries since it's our anniversary!  That was a nice bonus!

Another anniversary has come and gone, but after 12 years our love is still going strong.  Life is not easy by any means but we love and support each other so much that it makes even the toughest of things... EASY!

Neighbor Gifts...

Each year I try to give my neighbors and close friends a little something.  It's a small Christmas present from our family to theirs.  It's not ever a whole lot but they say "It's the thought that counts".  This year I wrapped boxes of hot chocolate mix with pretty ribbon, along with our Christmas card for 2011, a gift tag which read... Wishing your family a "WARM" and Wonderful Christmas!, and a bag of chocolate dipped spoons topped with different favorites like coconut, mints, candy canes, ect.  I love this time of year!!

20 weeks...

Well we found out a couple weeks ago that baby #6 is a GIRL!  She was a bit stubborn in that ultrasound so they performed another one today.  They needed to check her heart and head measurements a second time.  Everything measured and looked great!  She looks healthy and cozy in this baby baking belly of mine.  Since finding out she's a girl, I began the transitioning of Rosalia into a new room which she will eventually share with this baby.  So far so good.  The bedroom situation works out perfectly... 2, 2, and 2 in 3 different bedrooms! 
As for names we were set on a boy name but girls names we were going back and forth on.  We finally agreed on Maia Alyse.  Most spell Maia with a "y" but given Liliana and Rosalia have the "I" in their names we thought it would be a little different to go with the above spelling. 
As for how I'm feeling these days... like usual.  Rather than complain I will just leave it at that!

Baby Shower Gifts...

I had a baby shower to go to and have been planning all of her gifts for weeks.  She is having twin girls so everything I made had to be in twos!

2 large double sided flannel blankets.  I ended up making a baby diaper basket using the two blankets and forming a baby bottle and baby carriage out of the extra diapers. 

Next were making something out of the hooded swaddles and burp rags I made.  A chair is what I came up with.  The base is made out of diapers and the hood drapes as the back of the chair.  The burp rag makes an excellent looking seat cushion.  I picked up matching stuffed bears so the chairs wouldn't be empty. 

I had some extra matching ribbon left over from the burp rags so I also made a set of hooded bath towels but couldn't come up with anything creative for those.  So they were placed in a gift bag for opening at the shower. 

These items were such fun to make.  I can't wait for the next baby shower so I can make something else!!

Very Sleepy...

Our 2011 Christmas Card...

This was by far the EASIEST photo shoot I have attempted with all 5 children!  I don't know what on earth I will come up with next year to top this one!!
Below are a couple other fun shots.  I LOVE the miserable faces they were all giving!!