Warm and Fuzzy....And Laugh 'Til You Cry

This was four days before Christmas.  I'm sure many of you understand how hard it is to keep a house clean with busy children.  Then, again, some of you can do it and I bow down to you!

We had Olivia's birthday party on the 22nd so while they were destroying the living room I was helping Dad lay some more linoleum.  Every little bit sure makes a difference.

Olivia's 6th birthday party.... Dad and Grandpa Hutch.

Playing Wii....Nick, Emily, Jadyn, Tisha (behind Jadyn) Lucas, Grandma Debbi (behind Lucas), Olivia and Elijah (on the floor)

Little brother helped  blow out the candles.

Do you see this?  I received a package in the mail on Christmas Eve from Shedding the wolf.  Another random act of kindness that brought tears to my eyes (and shouts of joy from the family when they saw the chocolate).  I know things have been rough at The White House lately and the kindness shown to me is so appreciated, but I don't feel like I deserve it.  So many more have it much worse than we do.  With all my heart I send my thanks. (and if you could email me your address so I can send a proper thanks I would appreciate it.  My daughter used the box to wrap a present then it was thrown out all before I could write it down).

On Christmas Eve everyone got their pajamas except for Emily who wasn't here with us. :(  And the family got a new Wii game so you can guess what the kids were doing.  Dad was being attacked by two dogs.  Can you see Roxie in his lap?

Christmas morning....

Flying Playdoh? Couldn't get that shot if I tried.

Emily called me at 10:00am wanting to know if it was okay if she came to my house for Christmas morning.  Like she had to ask! :)  She spent until 3:30pm with us and we had so much fun.  As you can see there were a lot of smiles.

I made Nick a new hat.  Elijah's wasn't done, but it is now. Kind of.  I need my crochet hook to close the top, but I can't find it??

The down vest he's been wanting...

...and the car stereo.

Nothing like a lot of heart ache and drama to bring two siblings closer.  I don't think they've had a single fight since this whole ordeal started over a month ago.  And the more bad stuff that happens the nicer everyone is to each other.  Shoot, even Livy and Lukey haven't fought for two days!! :)

Elijah has 3-5 guys spend the night - at once - all the time.  They take over the living room to say the least.  Now they can take over his bedroom! I'm sure you notice the writing on the wall.  That's Elijah and Friends.  Elijah's new room is being built where the old kitchen was... it will be a lot bigger at about 15' by 25'.  This room will get new Sheetrock and will be for Lucas.

 She is cute in her Christmas pajamas!

They have been having so much fun flying helicopters all over the house.  I can't believe how good they were at it right away.

Elijah gets a lot of growing/over use pains in his back so he got a vibrating heating pad.  It will be nice after practice and a hot shower.

Emily got a Cockatiel for Christmas.  It is a baby and quite vicious.  She had to wear gloves to hold it (no name yet).  It's three days later and although I still wear gloves it will sit on my finger without biting.  They really are smart and do train fairly quickly.

Showing her brothers.

A friend recommended "You Can Dance" for the Wii.  Absolutely the most fun I've had in such a long time.  I about had a heart attack, but beating Elijah (who didn't think I stood a chance) was worth it. 

This would be Flower.  She was a present for Olivia.  Best guinea pig I have ever owned.  Jumpy the first day.  Now she is the happiest little thing ever.  Love her!

Look who feel asleep after all the fun (with such pretty make-up) with Flower in her arms.  And she didn't run off.  AND then she did it again the next night... and she didn't run off.  How lucky for me.

Nick lives in tie dye and now he's making his own.  Pretty talented I think!

So there you have some Warm and Fuzzy.  Amid all the crap we are still finding smiles.

And this my friends is our belly laughter!!  My husband is an amazing man who works so hard for his family and gives every second of his non-working time to his kids (and a little to me:).  He is completely selfless and so much fun.  You can see why the kids love him so much. A dad who is willing to get his groove on despite a wife who is going to YouTube it is absolutely priceless.  He's our best Christmas gift. (And he totally beat her with that hip swing! :)