Christmas and New Year Fun!

Caution...long post ahead

Cara and Merilee in their Christmas dresses.

We spent Christmas Eve with Justin's family and got a chance to visit with everyone. We let the girls open the gifts from Mommy and Daddy so we could save Santa gifts for Christmas morning. They got the boring stuff from us like clothes and books. We had a fabulous dinner and then had to leave.

That night we went to my parents' house to spend Christmas day with all of them. Merilee was excited for Santa to come. I kept telling her that Santa doesn't leave a lot of presents, but he does leave something for everyone that has been nice. Merilee woke up about 8 and Cara shortly after, so we opened presents from Santa and then waited for the rest of the family to come over so we could open the rest. Santa gave Merilee her first Barbie and Cara a Strawberry Shortcake Pony. We ate more good food and played games! Later that night, Justin had to leave because he had to work in the morning. He called awhile later and told us he hit a deer (one of three in their little deer group) on the way home and it totaled the van (however, further investigation revealed damage to be very repairable). It is now in the shop getting a new fender, driver side light, and other minor adjustments (but it takes them a week to work on it...geez!). So, we are now driving a rental Mazda which has some good get-up-and-go!!

After Christmas we went shopping. I know, you are supposed to shop before Christmas, not after. But there were really good sales on lots of things I wanted. We went to Garden Ridge and I got 90% off their fall decorations. Walgreens had Christmas markdowns 50-75%!! I also got clothes for myself and Merilee at KHOLS (90%off) and a Thrift Store in Yukon that had everything marked 50% off and some items were already 50% off. I did not get a single thing that was not at least 50% off. I am really thankful because with our budget, there's no way I could have purchased ANYTHING had I not found some AWESOME deals. Merilee got 5 dresses for the summer!! This is a big deal when all she wants to wear is dresses!!

I finally got a double stroller via Craigslist. I have gone on several walks and it is a workout just to push the kids in the stroller. This is such a big deal because I am constantly saying, "I could do that if I just had a double stroller." Well, now I have one and am using it! I am thinking of finding a running double stroller or something more upgraded. Any suggestions? I know someone out there is in love with their stroller;)

Merilee shot her first gun the other day. I went out and shot a couple rounds, no big deal. Kinda dull actually. It took forever to get the BB loaded and the gun cocked just to shoot one time. But, I hit the target (a bleach bottle on top of my diaper champ (not too happy about the target!)) I hit the bleach bottle though!

Well, since you got this far, here is your reward: Pictures!!!

Christmas Jammies!What the girls were doing Christmas Eve before bed.

After being dragged around in the basket by grandma.

Target practice! (Above)

After a walk in the double stroller (below).