New Year's Eve 2009/The Dean Christmas

Ed arrived at the Anchorage airport at 3:15 in the morning of New Year's Eve. By the time we got home it was 5 am. We were all so tired but excited at the same time. After we all woke up and did some last minute shopping it was time to open the presents. We just had our Christmas Eve on New Year's Eve instead. When it hit midnight we were all still up except for Katie and I was able to give my hubby a New Year's Eve kiss for the first time since 2007 (he's usually working). I'm so thankful that he's home safe and sound. All of the kids were spoiled as usual. Katie got one of the Live dolls (of course she wanted the one named Katie).

Here's Logan opening up one of his presents. I think this one was a DS game.
We always get each other pajamas every year for Christmas. Here I am holding up the pair I got.
Ever since Austin saw this present under the tree he wanted to open it and see what it was. I told him it was underwear but it ended up being church socks. He really needed them by the way. Thanks grandma.

Ed opening up a present. For some reason he didn't get one of his presents. I have no idea what happened to it and I can't even remember if I wrapped it or not. I was so upset because he always gets golf balls for Christmas and the kids got him some really nice Callaway balls but he never got them. Sorry, Ed.

Christmas morning 2009

Even though Ed was gone Santa still came late Christmas Eve. This is a picture of the kids on Christmas morning. I think Austin is still a bit sleepy. The boys got MP3 players and Katie got a Nintendo DS. She has been playing it almost nonstop since she got. I think Santa did a good job with that present. We missed Daddy so much. It was the first time he hadn't been with us on Christmas morning, but it was made easier knowing we would see him in a week.

Christmas Eve 2009

We usually open our presents on Christmas Eve but this year we were going to wait until Ed got home. Ed and I talked and we decided to let the kids open up the presents from their Alabama grandparents on Christmas Eve. Ed's parents usually send money and have Ed and I put presents under the tree for the kids. We are so grateful to them for doing that for us. Ever since Katie saw the commercial for Zhu Zhu pets (little hamsters that move and make noise) she wanted one. Needless to say they flew off the shelf and then you couldn't find them anymore. Sure, you could pay $50 or more online but they were selling for only $8 in the store. So on December 21st-23rd they had a limited release at Walmart and Target. Due to limited supply you could only buy two so I did. She was so excited and happy when she saw what she got. Logan got the Pictureka board game. We've had fun playing that game.
Austin got the original Life game. This is like the fourth version of original Life I've played.
All the kids got the Wii Fit Plus. Let me tell you that this game has provided hours of entertainment and even competition for our family. Let me tell you though that I was not too happy when the game recorded my BMI and told me I was overweight and then made my Mii character a little chubby with my stomach hanging out of my shirt. My kids thought it was hysterical though.

Colony Christmas 2009

Every year around this time the town of Palmer, Alaska holds Colony Christmas. They have so many activities, craft fairs, a parade, and even fireworks. The fireworks are a big deal because you can actually see them this time of year. On the fourth of July it never really gets dark up here so it's hard to see the fireworks. We decided to take a trip to Palmer (which isn't far away) and see what was going on. We started at the LDS church in Palmer where they had thousands of nativities on display. They were so awesome to look at but we couldn't take pictures. Then we went to the reindeer. Ed called me and asked me what I was doing and I told him I was petting a reindeer. He didn't believe me at first. I thought that was funny.

This reindeer's name is Vixen. We couldn't pet near the head because of the antlers.
Then we went to the train station and got something to eat. After that we went outside and they had some games set up for the kids.
Then it was off to the sleigh ride. Actually the sleigh was on wheels.
Katie on the sleigh. Sorry about the eyes closed, she doesn't like the flash.
Austin on the sleigh. He was upset because he didn't get much of the blanket.
Logan on the sleigh. It was so cold. I think the temperature was around 5 degrees.
After the sleigh ride we went and looked at some ice sculptures. They were really cool. They were all different colors and had lights on some of them.
Austin and Katie posing in front of the ice sculptures. Katie's arms really aren't that long. She has her hands in her pockets instead of her gloves because she had hand warmers in her pocket.
The last thing before the fireworks was the parade. It was the perfect length and all of the floats are lit up with Christmas lights so I just got a picture of this one to show.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Last night was the Christmas party at our church and Santa Claus make an appearance this year. I know Katie was so excited. Santa Claus had some serious conversations with all the kids so I know he really knows what they each want for Christmas.

Trimming the Tree

We usually wait until the first Saturday of December to decorate for Christmas but we are so excited because the faster Christmas gets here the faster Ed gets home so we decided to decorate today. I picked up an artificial tree this year because I absolutely hate watering the Christmas tree. Having to move the presents and the tree skirt every day drives me crazy. Here is Logan putting on an ornament. Stretch Logan!

I love this picture of Katie. It reminds me of why Christmas is so magical. The kids enjoy decorating so much and I love seeing them so happy.
Austin had to make sure I took the perfect picture so he is actually posing for me. Thanks, Austin.
The finished product. Picture is courtesy of Logan Dean.
We we all are standing in front of the tree. I was actually having a good time even though I don't look like it. The kids were laughing so hard at the blinking light for the timer. I didn't want to be laughing hard in the picture so this is my serious face.

Maybe a Snowbaby

It started snowing really hard today so the boys went outside to play. Logan came in and said the snow was good for making snowballs. We usually have very dry snow so it's hard to make a snowball. Katie wanted to try to make a snowman so I told her I would help her. Here she is starting to roll the snow.

Katie and Austin posing for a picture in the snow.
Logan and his friend playing in the snow. They were having so much fun.
So we ended up getting two really big snowballs to start our snowman. I put one on top of the other but when I did that the one on the bottom collapsed. So this is what we ended up with. Maybe we can call it a snowbaby.

Logan's party

Logan had his birthday party tonight at an ice cream place called Scoops. They have a huge game room with a Wii, a karaoke machine, and air hockey. I hope the kids had fun. All the kids got to build their own ice cream sundaes as well. This is Logan and his friend playing air hockey.

Logan at the karaoke machine. It didn't really work that well but the kids enjoyed the echo feature and talking (yelling) at other kids.
Logan and his group of friends opening his presents. Let me tell you they were all involved in this process. It was so funny.
They had all kinds of funny hats to wear. This is Logan wearing a birthday cake hat.
All the birthday children get to put their handprint on the wall of fame at the end of the party. Logan of course chose green, his favorite color. Happy Birthday, Logan!! I can't believe he's nine already. We all love you so much!!

Movie Day

On November 7th the kids and I went to Anchorage to see A Christmas Carol in 3D. I was a little worried because everything I read said it might be too scary for young children. There were a couple parts that made you jump but it wasn't too bad. We had a great time. The movie had almost started before I realized we didn't have our 3D glasses. I was going to take pictures of all of us with the glasses on but it was too late. I realized later that Logan brought his glasses home instead of turning them back in so I took pictures of the kids with the glasses on. I was going to put the glasses on the dog but that didn't work out too well so we ended up with just a normal picture.

Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow

About a week ago we got our first snowfall of the season. That is pretty late for us, we usually have snow by the middle of October. I'm glad it stayed away for so long because it sticks around until probably March. We haven't had any more snow but now we have the freezing cold temperatures. When the kids went to the bus this morning it was -17 degrees. It is so cold that the inside of your nose freezes. It's the weirdest feeling. I just feel bad for Ed. From his high temps to our low temps there is a over 100 degree difference. Luckily these cold temps don't stick around all winter.

Happy Birthday Logan!!

Today is Logan's 9th birthday. I made this huge cinnamon roll to have for breakfast and I put 9 candles in it(he counted to make sure). We are not planning on having a cake so I thought this would be fun. Needless to say we only ate about 1/4 of the cinnamon roll.

Opening his birthday card. The first thing he did was look for money. Unfortunately Logan, you don't get money and a present.
Holding up the birthday card. As soon as Logan saw the commercial for the double shot Nerf shotgun that was what he wanted for either his birthday or Christmas. As I was walking through the toy aisle the other day I saw this and thought it looked pretty close to the one on the commercial. We had some technical difficulties at first but I think he has the hang of it now.

Happy Halloween 2009

We were so excited for Halloween this year. It was our first Halloween in Alaska without snow, but we did have around 30 mph winds and when we got home that night it was 18 degrees. So of course we had to have hot chocolate. We went trick-or-treating at the church and since it was so windy we ended up doing it inside this year. After that we headed to the fire department. They always have good food and games for the kids. We tried to go trick-or-treating but it was just way to cold.

Katie was a pretty princess.
Logan was a Clone Trooper from Star Wars. I saw a lot of Star Wars costumes this Halloween.

Austin was a NASCAR pit crew member. He wanted me to tear up his costume and put blood on him like he got hit by a car but he told me this the morning of Halloween and I didn't have any makeup for him. Sorry Austin.