~Christmas Eve Festivities~

My kids were SO excited for Christmas Eve! We have a routine every year....Go see Santa which we did at the Mall....(same Santa for the past 10 years since Carley was born, we pulled out 10 years of pics) then we had an early dinner, went to church, came home and made cookies, went out front because the kids made reindeer food at school! SO we had to sprinkle that in the grass, as well as carrots. Then we went inside and laid around the tree and read "Mooseltoe"....By then Dad and Mom were pooped so we told the kids it was bed time. They sat out their letter to Santa with cookies and milk....and it was off to bed.....YEAH and the work began...Ha...Ha... :) Actually, we were SO ahead of the game this year.....We coasted through the night!

Avery sizing up Santa!
The kids visiting with Santa!

A little side bar chit chat!

Ready to sprinkle reindeer food...

See the glitter in the food helps Santa find our HOME!

Whewwww... Almost done!

~Paul Kids Make the News~

Carley speaking in the cam.....
Avery asking for that baby doll...

(The 12News Interrogation)

It has been a tradition for the past three years to go see SANTA on Christmas Eve! I know what you are thinking we are nuts...I could not agree with you more! :) After two hours of waiting at Arrowhead Mall yesterday, I was spent. Matter fact my whole family was ready for a nap. The kids decided this year to wear their PJ's to their Santa visit. (they looked cute) Well when we just got to the Mall to get in line, Channel 12 News came up to the kids and asked what they would like for Christmas. Carley/Madison were more talkative and Avery/Harrison were a little shy... Carley and Madison made the 4:30pm show on Christmas Eve on Channel 12 (NBC). .The girls were super excited, all our family and friends watched! To see the clip go to:

http://www.azcentral.com/video/
The title of the video is "Kids tell Santa what they think" (12/24/08)

~Merry Christmas~

Merry Christmas

2008

Every Christmas our Family watches the Polar Express! Scott and I feel it is incredibly uplifting and positive movie. It deals with key issues which all of us face, like having faith in the unseen world, and struggling with doubts. The story definitely engages, not just the heart but the mind and makes you think about this one question: "Can I afford to beleive in what I have never seen?" We truly feel "Faith" and "Belief " are important in all aspects of our life. We went out the other night and the comment was made that there is no such thing as Santa! Scott jumped right on that by saying do you beleive in GOD? A whole conversation started about this! It was very interesting. In the end it is really about who beleives as well as those who struggle to beleive. God is Patient and Kind! He meets us where we are! :)

~Our Beautiful Babys~

~Merry Christmas~

2008

~Im a Blogger Girl in a Blogger World~

I want to apologize for not blogging for a while. Thanks for the emails telling me to update! I am glad you all enjoy reading my blog. I think I just put 7 new posts below and still have more. I have been crazy busy with the kids, my school kids, getting ready for the holiday, my kids birthdays, my hubby's birthday, and other commitments. And if you are wondering WHY you have not gotten the Paul Christmas Card that is going out today. I decided to make it a Christmas/New Year card..Ha...Life just moves to fast sometimes and the little things get pushed back........

~Christmas Spectacular 2008~

Arizona Dance Co. had their Christmas Spectacular at Pinnacle HS last night. It was a non profit show to benefit The West Valley Child Crisis Center. They had a Pajama donation and collected over 800 pairs of pj's for the center. I first want to apologize for the crappy pics. You are not allowed to take pictures or video (they sell the video) HOWEVER since I am a RULE Breaker, I tried to get pics with no flash....The show started with the Ballet team doing a dance to Mistletoe by Colbie if you have not heard that song you should listen to it, it is beautiful! The show was incredible, there were 32 performances. It was neat to see so many people we know from different avenues our kids are involved in on this side of town. We saw soccer, baseball, volleyball, church, our school, Frontier/Copper Creek/Terramar and Stetson Hills kids we have met over the years. Carley did an awesome job. She did tell us that it felt good to perform again. She truly misses her Cheer and the competitions....However, after the first of the new year she is starting her private tumbling again, she is SO excited.

Londyn & Carley
Carley's performance,,,,,,

Musical Theatre with the Grinch and the Who's

The end of the show!

Carley and Nicole.....

Carley's friend Kaitlyn is a phenomenal dancer she

did about 20 dances last night. She is a Jammer which

means she competes competitively. She is so much fun to watch.

This Frosty Dance was SO Cute!

Carley's friends Megan and Londyn!

One picture that looked half way decent!

~The Paul Tree~ aka..The Griswolds!

We FINALLY decorated the tree! We realized that last year we threw out the tree lights after 11 years of use. Scott had some other ones which I am not too fond of since they do not blink,flicker or change. Well there were so many lights left, I went into the garage to find hooks for some ornaments that he pulled his Clark Griswold and started putting the lights around the shutters on the window....HELLO! I love my husband, he is so innocently cute! The kids made us some awesome ornaments for the tree in school. We are a family who does not have a theme on our tree! We LOVE the ones the kids make and Scott and I have made it a tradition to get an ornament when we vacation. Also we have ornaments from our dating years, ones family has given us, and also friends. Our tree is a THEME of LOVE, and a Collection of love for the past 13 years of our marriage, and 20 + years we have known each other. Awwwwwwwwww.......... :) Avery is driving us Crazy she is like an old bitty she keeps re-arranging all the decorations!

My little elf's decorating!
Harry's Ornament which I love! The words are about giving.

Carley snapping Clark and those lights!

Avery made the macaroni noodle ornament!

Maddy made a tile with her hand print and snowmen on each finger.

It is so incredibly adorable.

Carley made a beautiful angel out of Macaroni and sprayed it gold.

Also she took puzzle pieces and made an ornament with her picture in it.

Tree over 7ft tall

Kids enjoying decorating it

Trip to home depot to get

Cost PRICELESS!

Which reindeer is she?

Carley is in a Musical Theatre Performance tonight. She does three classes but since the costumes cost as much as a week of grocery's we opted to participate in one. She is a cute little reindeer. She had practice this morning and had to be in FULL COSTUME...Yes your right she was Dancer the reindeer! Here is Carley striking a pose before we were off to Desert Ridge!

~Avery and her Buddies~

We went over to Avery's school the other day and took pics of her and her BFF "Kj" That is all we hear about at the dinner table. So we thought it would be cute to take a picture and put it in a cute frame for her room for a Christmas Present.

KJ & Avery (I think Carley was scaring the little girl)
Kj,Avery, Ava, Jayden, Kayla, Julianna

Girly/Girls

Avery's BFF

~I SURVIVED~

Well I survived! Five months of teaching my kiddo's! I am so HAPPY to be on Christmas Break...I definitely need some down time to relax and enjoy my family. Life has been SO crazy the past five months. I love teaching it is very rewarding! Our last day in the classroom before break we had a Polar Express Party. The kids loved it! Everyone wore their PJ's to school even us teachers. We had stations set up for the kids to make things that were associated to the Movie. We had a Hot Cocoa Bar and Chocolate Chip Cookies. We had a train set up on a table and watched the movie Polar Express. When the kids exited for the day they got a REALLY CUTE Polar Express Ticket and a Present from me!

~Bonding in the SNOW~

Avery went up to Pinetop to BOND with Pap and Grandma for a week. On Sunday the girls and I went to meet them half way to pick up Avery....When we got to Payson it was COLD but NO snow....However once we passed Kohl's Ranch, snowflakes began to fall....I ended driving up to the beginning of the Rim while we waited it began to snow...The girls wanted to go play HOWEVER we did not have their snow gear! Avery had an awesome time with her grandparents, she went sledding on the Golf Course, Jacuzzing on the Deck and played in their cozy home

The Rim
My snow bunnies!

A view from inside!

~Crazy Day~

Last Saturday was a Crazy day we had three Holiday Parties. The first was an Ornament Exchange at 1pm at my friend Jen's house. I took the girls it was so much fun. She is an AWESOME hostess, great food, fun ornament exchange and she had crafts for the girls to do! Next it was off to Dan & Mary's home for a party with alot of parents and kids that go to Legend Springs. They live in Arrowhead Lakes which every year has a little block party with Santa, Food, Lighted Boats on the Lake....I brought my camera but the battery died after three pics :(

Christy, Mary and Teresa
Harrison & Joseph

Alyssa, Carley, Harry and Maddy doing the Elf Jig!

The last party was at our friends Tom & Tricia's home for a Tree Trimming Party. Everyone brought a dessert, she had a BUNCH of crafts so the kids could make ornaments, they had a keyboard set up and we all sang holiday songs! We even saw some friends we have not seen in years! Regan & Janet......their daughters use to babysit our kiddo's and it was so great to re-connect with them.....What an awesome but tiring Saturday..We are so blessed to have such great friends.

~Happy 40th Birthday Scott~

First off let me wish my "WONDERFUL" husband a "Happy Birthday"! Scott has such a Sweet & Giving heart and would give you the shirt off his back.. He is the greatest Father EVER, and my heart melts when I see him with our children! I am Extremely LUCKY to have him as my Hubby and Best Friend! I have known this incredible human being for half of his life. He has accomplished SO much and has made all of us who know him so PROUD. He is selfless and caring beyond words. I love you SO much Scotty Paul.....So Happy Birthday Baby!

Scott as a baby!
Graduating from ASU!

Gives love like no other!

20 years ago this guy had a "DO"

"I love the way you love me"

One of Scott's True Loves....(Nettie)

My Handsome man!

Awwwww.......

Birth, 20 years later, 40 years today you are still the most handsome,loving and thoughtful man!

I love you with all my heart!

~Christy~

~Happy Birthday Daddy~

Daddy you are the best! We love you so much and wish the best birthday ever. Thanks for loving us SO unconditionally.....You are the best gift! We love you...C, H, M, and A....:)

Live
Love

Laugh

Daddy's little guy!