Yippee! Should be a fun night at work on New Years Eve....
note to self: NEVER sign up for 4 shifts in a row AGAIN
Happy New Years!
{hopefully I won't see anyone I know in the ER}
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Christmas at the Toronto's
We started out the week before Christmas with a visit to good old Santa at the mall. Unfortunately we don't have any pictures of the kids actually on Santa's lap because those darn pictures are so expensive. My kids were thrilled just to be able to give their lists to Santa and talk to him. Miss M cracked me up. She went on and on about what a good girl she was and how she always helps mom around the house and cleans her room. She is pretty good about helping out but I think she exaggerated just a tiny bit. 
Miss M's list with the most random things on it...Santa had to dig deep to figure out what to get her this year. Good thing I was able to brainwash her into adding a few things on her list, including: dress ups, coloring books/markers, and "fun toys please"
Robby on the other hand was much easier:
all he wanted was 1. trains 2. candy 3. Mater tow truck 4. Mack from Cars
If you weren't lucky enough to get a Christmas card this year from us....here is the finished product :). These suckers took much more time than I anticipated and by the time they were complete, I was more than ready to be done with them
This year I was so excited to have Christmas Eve off work. I was really worried that I would be put on that night shift because I didn't work any Holiday's last year...but I was lucky enough to have it off! It was wonderful to be able to assemble everything and play my role at night, followed by waking up in the morning and experiencing Santa's visit through my childrens eyes. Then it was a busy, busy day. First we looked at our loot and then ran to get ready. We made it over to the in-laws by 10am because Uncle Brett was calling from the mission. We ate breakfast, talked with the Uncle in Italy, and opened presents with them for a few hours and then headed over to the second grandparents house. We had more food, opened more presents and watched the kids run around at my parents before it was time to head home for a few hours of sleep. I was able to get maybe 1.5 hours sleep before we had to wake up again to get ready and go back to the Toronto's (in-laws) house for dinner. I brought all my work stuff with me and left from their house for another night shift at work :( I worked the next few nights so that was it for a Christmas for me. I am just so grateful I was able to have a little over a week off of work before Christmas. It was HEAVENLY to be able to shop, play, cook, clean, and spend time with family.
Miss M's Santa pile
Robby eating "candy candy candy" as he puts it
Eli had his first try at candy canes and seemed to LOVE it
Eli all ready for the day in his new Christmas outfit. Every year I like buying at least one new outfit for each child to wear on Christmas
Some of the madness at my parents house opening presents
This picture of Maddie kills me.....she seriously looks like she could be ten years old aaaghhh! I am NOT ready for my children to grow up
Eli's favorite things this year were Candy Canes, bows, Christmas ornaments, and wrapping paper
Miss M's list with the most random things on it...Santa had to dig deep to figure out what to get her this year. Good thing I was able to brainwash her into adding a few things on her list, including: dress ups, coloring books/markers, and "fun toys please"
Robby on the other hand was much easier:all he wanted was 1. trains 2. candy 3. Mater tow truck 4. Mack from Cars
If you weren't lucky enough to get a Christmas card this year from us....here is the finished product :). These suckers took much more time than I anticipated and by the time they were complete, I was more than ready to be done with them
This year I was so excited to have Christmas Eve off work. I was really worried that I would be put on that night shift because I didn't work any Holiday's last year...but I was lucky enough to have it off! It was wonderful to be able to assemble everything and play my role at night, followed by waking up in the morning and experiencing Santa's visit through my childrens eyes. Then it was a busy, busy day. First we looked at our loot and then ran to get ready. We made it over to the in-laws by 10am because Uncle Brett was calling from the mission. We ate breakfast, talked with the Uncle in Italy, and opened presents with them for a few hours and then headed over to the second grandparents house. We had more food, opened more presents and watched the kids run around at my parents before it was time to head home for a few hours of sleep. I was able to get maybe 1.5 hours sleep before we had to wake up again to get ready and go back to the Toronto's (in-laws) house for dinner. I brought all my work stuff with me and left from their house for another night shift at work :( I worked the next few nights so that was it for a Christmas for me. I am just so grateful I was able to have a little over a week off of work before Christmas. It was HEAVENLY to be able to shop, play, cook, clean, and spend time with family.
Miss M's Santa pile
Robby eating "candy candy candy" as he puts it
Eli had his first try at candy canes and seemed to LOVE it
Eli all ready for the day in his new Christmas outfit. Every year I like buying at least one new outfit for each child to wear on Christmas
Some of the madness at my parents house opening presents
This picture of Maddie kills me.....she seriously looks like she could be ten years old aaaghhh! I am NOT ready for my children to grow up
Miss M Hearts Ice Skating
We took the kids ice skating over the Holiday break for the first time with my parents. Miss M was practically in heaven. She loved every minute of it and we just about had to pry her little bod off the ice to leave afterwards. She was able to skate fairly steady with some assistance by the end! Robby on the other hand did NOT like ice skating one bit. I guess that is why under three is FREE for open skate. The poor kid could barely walk in the skates and walked like he was drunk with them on :) All he wanted to do was take off the skates and play by the video arcades.
My in-laws even showed up to watch their beloved grandchildren learn how to ice skate. When Robby [quickly] decided he was finished skating, my father-in-law followed him around as he explored the skating arena.
I have to admit I had just as much fun as Maddie, and this little outing reminded how much I do like to ice skate and ski. It is so fun to be able to experience things like this with my Maddie!
Grandma and Maddie
Maddie, Mommy (me) and Eli
Robby {attempting} to walk in the ice skates with Daddy
Eli and Grandpa hanging out on the sidelines
Grandma and Maddie
Maddie, Mommy (me) and Eli
Robby {attempting} to walk in the ice skates with Daddy
Eli and Grandpa hanging out on the sidelines
{my dad had hip replacement surgery in 2008 and cannot ice skate so he happily played with Eli while we skated}
Eli started to get fussy part way through our Ice Skating experience, but once Nona bundled him up in the stroller and handed over the pacifier he was pretty content to just sit and look around!
Eli started to get fussy part way through our Ice Skating experience, but once Nona bundled him up in the stroller and handed over the pacifier he was pretty content to just sit and look around!
Eli's First Birthday
This year for Eli's birthday we had a small family party at our house. It was a little chaotic with Christmas so close...but we all had a good time. We (ie: me) are thinking that next year or the year after we will switch and have his big birthday celebration in June as a "1/2 year birthday" so that he doesn't have his birthday clumped into Christmas. 
Present Time
Eli got this Mater ride-on toy from Mommy and Daddy....I have to say that it was hit for all the kids. Kaylin kept climbing on it and Eli would hold on to the back and walk along with her
Maddie with her beloved Aunties: Esther and Abby
Since Eli didn't know what to do after we sang to him, Kaylin and Robby helped him blow out his candle
Eli's first taste of birthday cake
Present TimeEli got this Mater ride-on toy from Mommy and Daddy....I have to say that it was hit for all the kids. Kaylin kept climbing on it and Eli would hold on to the back and walk along with herMaddie with her beloved Aunties: Esther and AbbySince Eli didn't know what to do after we sang to him, Kaylin and Robby helped him blow out his candleEli's first taste of birthday cake
The post-cake grin...gotta love it!
Sheffield Family Christmas Party
For years my dad's family in Arizona has an annual Sheffield Family Christmas Party a week or so before the holiday. We all look forward to catching up with each other, seeing how much our kids have grown, eating yummy homemade soups, salads, and treats. And of course there is the annual "white elephant" gift exchange.
This year we shook things up a bit and switched it to Cousin Laura and Katie's houses which are next door to each other. It was the perfect location and situation with all of our little ones. Laura has four little boys so all the grandbabies LOVED running around their kid-friendly yard playing with all the toys. Then when it was dinner time we wandered back to Katie's house to eat and socialize. I think every single person in the family came for at least part of the time and I know I enjoyed seeing each and every one of them!
Above: Mommy (me) and little E
Above: Mommy (me) and little E
Below: playing outside at Laura's house on their fake grass
Jesse, Kaylin and Grandma S relaxing on the porch swing
Aunt Lori and Zack
Adam, cousin Katie and T
N with her boyfriend T; I was so glad to see Nats again. I think the last time I saw her was last year at our family party and so it was fun to play catch up for a few minutes in between chasing the crazy kids around. N was so sweet to come to the party ON HER BIRTHDAY!
Holly with her little girl, Brooklyn
Adam and Clay (both married my cousins)
Cousin Kevin with Uncle Evan
Some of the Watkins fam: Ashley, Lisa and Danny
When we were outside playing...all Robby wanted to do was to try to fish this shark out of the small pond and to put one of the toy boats in the water. It cracks me up to see how smart and logical his little mind works. I am sure he thought we were all silly for not wanting him to put the boat in the obvious place it belongs...the water :)
(Grandma and Rob-sters)
Miss M found herself another boy buddy at our party. My cousin Laura's second son, , is five years old and became the perfect playmate for Maddie. They spent time rolling together in the grass outside and then she LOVED wrestling indoors with 3 of Laura's boys. I have to admit that she cracks me up with her semi-tomboy self. Maddie has one side of her that is so prissy and girly which includes loving make-up, doing hair, clothing, dresses, jewelry; but then she also has another side of her where she is completely at ease rolling in the mud, wrestling, playing trains, kicking balls around...she is definitely one tough cookie!
Aunt Gail with cousin Laura's baby boy, and Aunt Nancy
Ryan, Ben, Uncle Mike and Scott
Eli sort of has Uncle Ben wrapped around his little finger and he always reserves some of his best giggles for when his Uncle is around. I have to admit that Ben is a great babysitter to my kids and is typically willing to pitch in a hand and help us out when we run into binds with babysitting.
I pretty much love this sweet picture of my dad and little E. My dads looks says it all...he sure loves the grandbabies. Just like he always says, being a grandpa is "awesome." Luv ya daddy!
Every year we do the annual family gift exchange. The past few years we have instituted the "dollar store rule" where all gifts need to be around one dollar in cost. It is fun to see what everyone comes up with for the exchange...I think this year the top picks were "Muscle Lotion," small screwdriver set, and my dad even lucked out with the set of Ensure...yummy! For the little kids we also bring an inexpensive gift for each of them to open and enjoy during the adult gift exchange.
Maddie sure enjoyed her Tinkerbell coloring set and she spend the next 30 minutes absorbed in her artistic world
Robby was sooo excited to have his very own present, and walked around for awhile clutching it like so and showing everyone "my present." Once he finally opened it and found matchbox cars he loved it until he saw that one of the other kids got a train instead. Luckily the other little boy loved Robby's cars as much as Robby loved his train and so we did a little switcheroo and each boy left happy as can be!
Jesse, Kaylin and Grandma S relaxing on the porch swing
Aunt Lori and Zack
Adam, cousin Katie and T
N with her boyfriend T; I was so glad to see Nats again. I think the last time I saw her was last year at our family party and so it was fun to play catch up for a few minutes in between chasing the crazy kids around. N was so sweet to come to the party ON HER BIRTHDAY!
Holly with her little girl, Brooklyn
Adam and Clay (both married my cousins)
Cousin Kevin with Uncle Evan
Some of the Watkins fam: Ashley, Lisa and Danny
When we were outside playing...all Robby wanted to do was to try to fish this shark out of the small pond and to put one of the toy boats in the water. It cracks me up to see how smart and logical his little mind works. I am sure he thought we were all silly for not wanting him to put the boat in the obvious place it belongs...the water :)
(Grandma and Rob-sters)
Miss M found herself another boy buddy at our party. My cousin Laura's second son, , is five years old and became the perfect playmate for Maddie. They spent time rolling together in the grass outside and then she LOVED wrestling indoors with 3 of Laura's boys. I have to admit that she cracks me up with her semi-tomboy self. Maddie has one side of her that is so prissy and girly which includes loving make-up, doing hair, clothing, dresses, jewelry; but then she also has another side of her where she is completely at ease rolling in the mud, wrestling, playing trains, kicking balls around...she is definitely one tough cookie!
Aunt Gail with cousin Laura's baby boy, and Aunt Nancy
Ryan, Ben, Uncle Mike and Scott
Eli sort of has Uncle Ben wrapped around his little finger and he always reserves some of his best giggles for when his Uncle is around. I have to admit that Ben is a great babysitter to my kids and is typically willing to pitch in a hand and help us out when we run into binds with babysitting.
I pretty much love this sweet picture of my dad and little E. My dads looks says it all...he sure loves the grandbabies. Just like he always says, being a grandpa is "awesome." Luv ya daddy!
Every year we do the annual family gift exchange. The past few years we have instituted the "dollar store rule" where all gifts need to be around one dollar in cost. It is fun to see what everyone comes up with for the exchange...I think this year the top picks were "Muscle Lotion," small screwdriver set, and my dad even lucked out with the set of Ensure...yummy! For the little kids we also bring an inexpensive gift for each of them to open and enjoy during the adult gift exchange.
Maddie sure enjoyed her Tinkerbell coloring set and she spend the next 30 minutes absorbed in her artistic world
Robby was sooo excited to have his very own present, and walked around for awhile clutching it like so and showing everyone "my present." Once he finally opened it and found matchbox cars he loved it until he saw that one of the other kids got a train instead. Luckily the other little boy loved Robby's cars as much as Robby loved his train and so we did a little switcheroo and each boy left happy as can be!
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