Christmas Eve

Every year the kids each hang their 'babies first Christmas' ornament on the tree. We usually do this closer to  Thanksgiving but this year. I knew that Andrew and Katey were not going to leave the ornament alone. So I chose to wait until Christmas eve to decorate the tree. 

This is Albert hanging his ornament!

 Katey had to inspect her ornament first. Her's is all shiny.

 You can barely see it but she did get it on there. 

 Andrew hanging his ornament. 

 Sarah hanging her ornament!

 And last but not least Albert hanging his. Yep after all these years he still hangs his ornament on the tree. 

 Our Christmas tree!! I know to most people our tree isn't something spectacular and beautiful but to us it is. All the ornaments on our tree have meaning. Most of them the kids made by themselves. I choose to let the kids decorate the tree with their ornaments because like in the movie 'the littlest angel' the perfect gift isn't always the biggest, brightest or most expensive. It's the gift (or this case tree ornaments) that was done or made with thought, consideration and love. That's what makes our tree perfectly beautiful to me!!

 We have started a tradition that kids get 1 gift Christmas Eve, pajamas. Then they wear them to bed and they are in their new jammies for Christmas morning.

Andrew with his new pj's. He was trying to put them on. 

 The other 3 kids with their new pj's. Opps I cut off Sarah's head.

 Albert didn't get pj's. He got an apron that he'll never wear but that's ok. It's the thought that counts right? The Christmas Eve gifts are from me only so that's why I didn't open one. It would be weird to open a gift from myself. LOL

Christmas Memories

To kind of emphasize my last post. You know growing up I don't remember many gifts I got. I mostly remember the things we did. The youngest memory I can remember is one Christmas morning I got woken up by one of my parents ringing bells and yelled up the steps that santa had been there. Then another memory I have is laying on the floor with my sister putting a puzzle together I had gotten. Then another Christmas I remember my cousins and I had gotten pound puppies and I remember playing together with them at my grandparents.

The things you do at Christmas with your kids will be remembered more than the things you get them!

Christmas time

For some time now (years actually) it has been weighing heavy on my mind that Christmas is so commercialized. For many the most important part is the receiving of gifts. That's not how I want my kids to feel. I want to them to know and understand what the true meaning of Christmas is. Sarah does and has for some time. The younger 3 however aren't there yet. I tell them the story and emphasize the parts of Christmas I want them to see. However the commercialism of Christmas comes from every where. When we are out and about the first thing people say is "What do you want Santa to bring you?" or something similar. Christmas has become a celebration of showing off your wealth by the amount of Christmas gifts you are able to buy. Some how or another society has lost the importance of Christmas. I do understand the reasoning behind giving gifts at Christmas. However gift giving has taken over the lead roll and Jesus has been given a supporting part. I am guilty of this myself I will not deny it. Even with my kids I say things like 'if you are not good Santa won't bring you any toys'. Which in a way is supporting the idea that gifts are the important part of Christmas. 

I feel that if you base how your Christmas was on how much and what you got you are doing it all wrong. Gifts are a mere supporting roll. The true lead roll in Christmas is Jesus!! It's His birthday!! Christmas is about celebrating a precious and wonderful birth with those you love. Christmas is about sharing that love that Christ has shown us.

Ok so now that I have given you all a 'piece of mind' haha I will share a craft that I did with the kids!!

CRAFT TIME!!!!

What you need:

construstion paper

scissors

something star shaped or the ability to draw a nice star

salt

flour

water

First take the construction paper and trace or a star shape. Then cut it out. Have the kids decorate them anyway they want. Place the stars on something like parchment paper or we used baking sheets. The flour salt mixture can be done 2 ways in one big batch or a small one for each kid. I chose to let each kid make their own mixture. Take equal parts flour and salt we used 1tsp. Then add tiny bits of water until you get the consistency of gravy (it'll drip but not to watery). Then let the kids cover the stars with it. We used some old paint brushes. You could use popsicle sticks or spoons just whatever you have that'll get it on there. I do advise to not let them make it to thick. 

When it's dry it'll resemble sparkly snow. While we were making our stars we talked about the meaning of stars at Christmas time. This craft was loads of fun! The mixture is everyday kitchen stuff so it's ok when the kids try to eat it. hahaha 

Happy Katey, Messy Andrew, Reindeer Albert and Growingup Sarah

Everyday when Daddy gets home Katey is one happy excited little girl. These 2 pictures of her and Daddy are of such an event.

Yeah she a 'Daddy's little girl' through and through. We are going to have problems when Daddy goes to work and doesn't come back.

 Andrew Keith Whatamess Hunsiker

 He liked his spaghetti so much he decided to wear some.

 This year in the Christmas play Albert was Comet. He got a speaking part and everything.

 My reindeer Albert. 

 Sarah standing beside our Christmas tree. We are decorating our tree on Christmas eve this year because I know the 2 little kids aren't going to let the tree alone. 

Andrew's first taste of Pop Rocks

Little of this and that

My beautiful girls!!

 We are getting a lot rain! It's been raining since very early yesterday morning. Our back yard has a small river running down the middle. It's very wet. I let the dog outside this morning she went out on the patio stopped and turned around and just stared at me. I beleive she was saying to me "there is no way I am going out there to pee".

This is what 3 kids, 15 minutes and a room full of toys look like.

Andrew has been caught doing this more than once. Laying on the floor looking through the toys book from Target.

Thanksgiving and my birthday

Our Thanksgiving this year was simple but good. Albert made a very yummy meal for us. He put my birthday candle in the pie. I got to open my present first thing in the morning. He got me a keurig coffe maker. I absolutely love it! Hopefully next year we will be closer to home so we can spend the holiday with family.



Thankful Day #21

Today I am thankful for bubbles! I love taking bubble bathes. Today I was in the tub Andrew walks in and smiles and says "Hi Mom what doing?" Then he looks at my tub and says "BUBBLES!" His face lights up and he starts pulling at his shirt trying to get it off. He was happy he found me but he was even happier he found in a tub full of bubbles!

thankful Day #20

Today I am thankful that I am a little on the crafty side. I enjoy doing crafty things with the kids and they enjoy as well.

The below picture isn't a good example of being crafty really but I wanted to share it anyway. That's our Christmas tree cookie. We got the cookie cutters from Avon. I think it turned out pretty well. The kids enjoyed decorating the cookies. They enjoyed eating them more. hahaha

Thankful Day #19

I am thankful for my very good friends. I love each of you very very much!

Thankful #18

Today I am thankful for warm clothes and hot coffee. It's a bit chilly out there today.

Thankful Day #17

My washer is once again having a brain transplant. This will be brain number 4. This time though it has a valve issue also. I bought a warranty when we had the first brain transplant(actually just replacing the main computer control panel). So I am thankful that I got the warranty because if I hadn't this washer would be costing us a good bit of money. I am also thankful for fast service from sears because with having a family of 6 our laundry piles up very fast. So if you come visit before Tuesday don't mind the mountains of laundry all through the house.  

Thankful Day #16

I am thankful for the internet. I don't think I've done that one yet. The internet provides many services to our family. We use it for keeping in touch with family and friends. We use it for sharing pictures. It's often times used for work purposes mine and Albert's. I have used it for getting craft and project ideas for the kids. Sarah and Albert have used it for homework help. We use it to watch T.V. (via netflix). I've 'met' a few people using the internet. Some I have then met in person and others I haven't and probably never will. I've used the internet many times to look up things when doing bible studies. I've used the internet to ask for prayer and pray for those who have asked for it. The internet is used for many things but mostly it's used to play games. Well i guess not Albert he mainly reads comics on the internet.

We could live with out internet but we would have to rethink how we do so many things. However we do have and for that I am thankful. Oh yeah almost forgot one my least favorite use of the internet paying bills. Though I normally don't use the internet for that. I normally do it the old fashioned way with a check and a stamp.

Thankful Day #15

I thankful that my husband can cook very well! I can cook but not as well as Albert can. He also enjoys cooking which is a good thing. I enjoy cooking but only sometimes. Besides having a man that cooks for me makes me a lucky girl.

Thankful Day #14

I am thankful that we were able to sell our house. If we had not sold our house we would be scrambling now to get it done. I know we have 7-8 monthes before we move but we only have 2 monthes before Albert leaves. I am glad we got it sold and I don't have to deal with that while Albert is gone.

Thankful Day #13

I am thankful for washable markers. I am really glad that kids markers are washable. If they weren't I would now have brown marker all over my wall. Also my kids would often times be multicolored. So I am definitely thankful for washable markers.

Thankful Day #12

Well it would appear that I am once again behind. I will have to try harder to keep up.

I am thankful to have the experience of living in different parts of the U.S. We have lived in Pennsylvania, Delaware, Alaska and now Louisiana. Each place we have had a different experience. We've had our ups and down with living in each place but along the way we've grown stronger together as a family. We've met lots of good people and some not so good people. All in all I've enjoyed experiencing different parts of our country.

Decorating mommy's gifts

Albert wrapped my birthday present in plain white paper. Then he had the kids decorate the paper. I love this idea. It makes it so much more personal. I love the gifts already and I have no idea what in it. :)

Below is pictures I took of the kids while creating their masterpiece.

Andrew coloring a nose.

Sarah with the package she decorated. 

 Albert choosing stickers for his package.

 Katey choosing her colors.

 My babies being creative!

 The mastermind behind this project. I think he had as much fun as the kids.

 Being creative is so much fun!!

 Hard at work!

 Look at them concentratingon their works of art all just for me!!

 I love those guys!

Thankful Day #11

Today I am thankful for all the many veterans who have served
our country! It's because of each of you that we live in a free country. Thank
you and Happy Veterans Day!

And a special thank you to wonderful husband!

I love you!

Thankful Day #10

Thankful we were able to work things out so Albert was able to finally get his car.

Albert is leaving for tech school in January. He told me the military won't provide transportation there or for him to get to classes each day. I could take him down but he'd need a car to get to and from classes each day. Since I have to have a vehicle and so does he we were forced to buy another one because renting was to expensive. With God's help we were able to rework our budget and squeeze another vehicle in. I am glad we were able to. Albert does so much for the kids and I and he deserves to have a car. I know having to drive a 'mom van' all the time was hurting his 'manly pride' a bit. LOL Then also it's something I beleive he enjoys sharing with little Albert because he (little albert) loves cars. They are all the time looking at older sport style cars together on the internet. Little Albert is convinced now that he needs to have a red (his favorite color) firebird.

Something else I wanted to share..... Yesterday after we made our thankful tree I was talking to Albert about the hands he put on the tree and why he picked what he did. He said to me "I picked my family because I am thankful to have a family to live with and I picked God because he gave me a family and a house and a bed (he was getting ready for bed) and food to eat."

Thankful Day #9

Today I am thankful for arts and crafts time with the kids. I absolutely LOVE doing craft with the kids. It's one of my favorite things to do with them. I enjoy watching them be creative. Albert got my birthday present today. He wrapped it in plain white paper. Then had the kids decorate the paper. It was a great idea. I love my present already and I haven't even opened them yet!!

Our Thankful tree

Since I am doing the thankful for something different each day I came up with the idea to get the kids in on it too. This is what I came up with. Andrew and I made the tree. Then for the little kids I trace their hands and cut them out. I ask them what they are thankful for and I wrote on their 'leaf'. The older kids do their own 'leaves'.

Sarah wrote family and friends. Albert wrote momy, daddy, sarah andrew and God. Andrew told me hands and pencils. Katey told me mommy and daddy.

I will have them add more leaves later. I think this craft idea turned out rather well.

Thankful Day #8

Today I am thankful for the miracle that Albert still has a job even though I would have loved to move back home to my family. Moving back home would have been nice but not under those circumstances. Good jobs are few and far between. Albert almost lost his job but by a miracle he was able to keep it.

Thankful Day #7

I am very thankful for good friends both new and old! Being in the military the people you meet and get to know become more than just friends. They become your family away from home and with out them I would be lost. Then the friends I've had for a while are the ones that you can call when you need an ear to listen or are just feeling like an adult conversation. I love my friends!

Thankful Day #6

Today I am thankful for lazy days with the family. I love days where we do 'nothing' together as a family. It's the best kinds of days!

Halloween

Happy Halloween 2011

This is Albert's pumpkin. He wanted something scary this year.

Sarah's pumpkin.

Albert keeping with the scary theme this year choose a skelton zombie costume. He just loved that kids were scared of him. Katey was terrified of him.

This is the best picture I could get of my little lady bug.

My little Thomas the train. Yes I know it's on backwards. He wouldn't wear frontwards. It's a size 4 so it was to long anyway so this way he didn't trip on it. But the best part is he wore it!! It took some persistance but we got him to wear it.

Alice of wonderland! How beautiful is she?!