Double Digits!

Today my oldest boy turns 10!   I could just cry!  I don't know how he got to be so big.  It seems just like yesterday he was born.
Hunter you are the best older brother.  You are always looking out for your siblings.  You are such a great student.  This coming week you will be one of ten finalists in your schools geography bee.  We are so proud of you.  You love to read and your newest passion is collecting antiques.  You love to visit shops and look for treasures.  You are such a night owl and your favorite television show is Pickers and Pawn Shop.
You always keep us laughing with your sense of humor.  We are blessed to have you as our son and we love you very much!!  Try not to grow up too fast!

Christmas All Wrapped Up!

The last few weeks leading up to Christmas have been super busy in the Raudelunas household.  We have been:

Making gingerbread houses and gingerbread boys and girls!

Visiting Santa!

Baking up a storm!

Speaking of baking.  Ever since I was a child I remember my mom baking the most delicious coffee cake for Christmas morning.  I have done the same since I was married.  My kids look forward to this every Christmas.  On Christmas Eve I did all my baking and cooking.  I was thrilled that I was getting everything done on time as we had to be at mass by 4:00.  Around 2:00 Chris went to put sugar in his cup of coffee.  After taking a sip he spit it out, immediately saying it tasted like salt.  He checked the sugar bowl.  Sure enough it was salt, not sugar!  The same bowl I used to do my baking!!!!  
Long story short, Hunter was playing a little joke a few days by switching the two, not knowing I would be using it to bake.  Lets just say a can laugh about it now but I was not too happy about braving the crowded stores at 2:00 to try and then bake what I could!  Oh Hunter what a story I will have for your children some day.
After Mass we headed to my Dad's side of the family for our traditional get together.  We had a great time and soon it was time to get into our matching jammies and head on home to feed the reindeer and put out Santa's cookies and milk!

Pretending to have Santa's cookies and milk!  Naughty! Ha!

Sprinkling the reindeer food

Every year the kids and I make Santa cookies together for Santa!

The two little ones were out in a flash.  Hunter and Hannah could hardly sleep. They were so excited.  Our rule is no one up before 7:00.  They were all so tired form the night before that they actually slept past this!

We had a great day.  Both Nana's and Papa's watched as the kids opened their presents.  Later in the day we went to Nana Rose and Papa Joe's for a yummy feast!
The day after Christmas was filled with 8 inches of fresh snow that the kids have been enjoying greatly!

Merry Christmas!

Deck The Halls!

And our house as well.  It has been a lot of fun decorating the house, putting up the lights and trimming the tree, but lets face it it's a lot of work.  I always love when it is finished and I can sit back and enjoy.
The kids really had fun decorating the tree.  A little funny story about this years tree.  I'm sure my kids will enjoy this story when they are older.
We usually go to Home Depot to pick out our tree.  I know we live in an area known for trucking through the woods and cutting down a tree, but we have had such good luck with Home Depot and its a lot easier with the four kids.  We all planned to go, but Ryland was a little under the weather so I stayed home and Chris took Finley and Hunter.  Hannah decided she would stay home as well.  Now I know Chris knows what I like so I had no worries.  A nice full tree without lots of needles falling.  We have been getting a real tree for the past 14 years so I was confident they would find a great tree.  Ha!  Was I surprised when they came home.  I wish I had taken a picture, but at the time Chris did not think it was too funny.  The tree was so skinny with lots of dry spots.  I thought it was a joke.  Not wanting to hurt anyones feelings I tried to be positive and make it work.  We put it in the stand to take a look.  We looked and looked and I just could not keep that poor tree.  I don't even think all my ornaments could fit on it.  Somehow Chris though it looked better in the lot, but after seeing it in the house he realized it was not quit right.
Long story short, Chris and Hunter brought the tree back and I told Hunter to pick the next one.  Apparently the man at the store said he had never had anyone return a tree.  This was a first for him! Chris explained it did not work for our room.  He asked what do you mean.  Chris proceeded to say you don't understand because you are not married.  Funny!
All turned out well and we now have a beautiful tree.  Thanks Honey for taking it back and being oh so patient!  Love you!

The kids love to find ornaments with their names.

I have a lot of sentimental ornaments, but this is definitely one of my favorites.  The kids got if for me last year and I love it!

The Stockings are Hung!

Hannah's Tree!

The Boys Tree!

 This past weekend I had  wonderful time with my sister, mom and aunt. We went on our annual trip to New York City for a day of shopping.  This year the weather was great.  Not too cold.  As a result it was packed.  Their were lines to get into stores and then lines to get on the escalators.  Crazy!  We had a blast though and I love seeing the big tree in new york center.  Chris if you reading this honey That's a Tree!!

We always eat at Carmines when we go to New York.  They have the best Italian food!

Amy Enjoying our yummy dessert!

It's The Most Wonderful Time. . .

I just love this time of year.   I especially love when this little guy comes to visit our house!

"Elfie" as my kids have named him, has been visiting our house for the past two years.  He comes right after Thanksgiving to watch little boys and girls and report back to Santa each night.  He hides in a new spot each day and my kids love waking up and finding him each morning.  I just love this holiday tradition and I must say everyone is on their best behavior (for the most part- ha!)