Christmas Round #1 ~ Christmas Eve Eve

We are blessed to have a large family and extended family, but that does make coordinating holidays a little crazy! Playing football until the week before Christmas makes things challenging, but fun too!

On the 23rd, Gigi, Grandpa, John and David came up for the day so we could all open presents together. The girls were spoiled and loved every minute of it!!

Opening the Barbie Party Cruise

Uncle John

The girls helping Grandpa open new family pictures for him and Gigi


Daddy & Uncle Dave

The hit of the day - Karsyn's Rapunzel Dress. She even slept in it that night!

Family Photos

The Original Kirk Krew cooperated for some pictures before Christmas. Whitney took our pictures, and I think she has new talent to add to her list! We are all so happy with these pictures. I especially love the last one of the girls with Gigi and Grandpa.

Now the rest of my family needs to cooperate! I want pictures of the girls with Pops and Lolly too!

The Stockings Were Hung...

Just for me...our 2010 Christmas Decorations:

The cutest little elves I know with out Charlie Brown tree. Our big tree won't fit in our living room any more, so I moved our little tree in here. The girls handmade ornaments and the ones from our Christmas events (Ice, Polar Express, etc) go on this tree. I also added the presents that we were giving on that day under the tree.

Not a Christmas decoration, but this is my new window treatment in my living room. I am IN LOVE with it! It is exactly what I've wanted and waited 4 1/2 years for!

My "Joy to the World" banner - a Shanty 2 Chic tutorial found here.

Landrie's Tree

Karsyn's Christmas tree - another Shanty 2 Chic tutorial!

Our big tree is in the formal living room. I love that I actually have presents under the tree right now! I'm usually still shopping and not finished wrapping on Christmas Eve. I can't believe I'm finished this early! I love that you can see the tree lit from the front yard.

I hope that everyone has a wonderful Christmas surrounded by family and friends! I am so thankful for all of my family that we get to spend our holidays with.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

State Game

Last Saturday, we made it to the much anticipated State Championship game at Cowboys Stadium! The stands were packed - 43,000+! While we didn't get the result we hoped for, it was still great to be there with our families. We had 25 people there to cheer on Coach Kirk!

One of the coolest traditions is for the Euless Fire and Police to escort the Trojans back to school. Even though we didn't get the W, they still greeted the buses with a police escort and the fire ladders raised.

We had a great run this season 15-1! I know Coach K definitely wanted 16-0, but they are very proud of what they accomplished! The whole playoff run was close and competitive...we were lucky to make it as far as we did. And, there's always next year!

I'm excited to have my husband home and working a more normal 40-50 hours a week, as opposed to 80+. But - that's the life of a coach's family and we love it!

Merry Christmas from the Kirk Krew!!

Just the Way You Are

When I see your face there's not a thing that I would change

'Cause you're amazing just the way your are

And when you smile, the whole world stops and stares for a while


'Cause you're amazing, just the way you are

**Song lyrics by Bruno Mars "Just the Way You Are

ICE

This year we got the privilege of going to ICE! at the Gaylord again this year. The girls love it and it is truly unbelievable to see what they create entirely out of ice.

Our favorite dog - Snoopy!

Dr. Pops is IN!

The girls in Snoopy's doghouse

ICE was such a fun experience. I can't wait to see what the theme will be there next year!

After ICE, we got some hot chocolate and went to visit Santa. Landrie was convinced that he was not the real Santa because it was impossible for him to be here in Texas and at the North Pole getting ready for Christmas. Karsyn didn't hesitate to tell him that she wanted a Unicorn Pillow Pet and Landrie finally sat on his lap and said that she wanted a toy snake (to scare Mommy and Lolly I'm sure!).

I love this time of year and all we have to look forward to! I still can't believe we're playing football! Today we play in the semi-final round! Go Trojans!

Great Teacher Gift

I am always trying to think of what to get my girls' teachers each year for Christmas and End of the Year gifts. I have a personal limit of $15, so it can be difficult to find something that is nice, yet personal. I have made clipboards in the past and given custom totebags also.

This year, I had to work a little harder because my youngest daughter now has the same teachers as my oldest did. So, the gifts had to be different this year.

I made a custom dry erase board.

Here's the list of supplies:

• metal stand from HL - bought when half off $2.50-3.00
• glossy white 8 x 10(ish) tile from Home Depot - $1.07
• 4-5 7" strips of ribbon in your color choices - FREE (scraps)
• dry erase marker - $1
• thin ribbon 12-15" long FREE (scraps)
• hot glue gun

Knot ribbon in the center and attach to top of tile with hot glue gun.



Attach ribbon to dry erase marker and to stand.


And you're finished!

This took less than 15 minutes and cost less than $5. I love the way it turned out. It could be embellished more with vinyl lettering or decorations, too.

Make sure to visit Shanty 2 Chic's I Made it Without My Hubby for more great craft ideas!