Quality Over Quantity

I started my Christmas Eve with a little LTB ('cause I knew I was going to hit the cookies hard):

Since we don't go anywhere for Christmas, the kids got dressed for their 'FaceTime' sessions with everyone in Ohio. We got to see everyone that was at Mike's for Christmas Eve dinner and my in-laws. The kids were so excited that they got to talk to everyone, but Wes was bummed when we hung up with his uncles and kept saying, "me willy wanted to hang out wit dem." They loved on each other to cheer each other up, then we put on some music and had a dance party:

 While they danced, Ed and I made my Grammy's famous pierogies:

I was feeling really down because Tenley had been asking if we could sing Christmas carols around the tree with our family. It broke my heart explaining that it would just be the 5 of us and that her friends would be with their families. I was telling Lindsay about it and she insisted she bring the girls over since they didn't have plans. It finally felt like Christmas when they arrived. The kids forced Linds to play hide-and-seek immediately and just like that our house was filled with laughter and Christmas cheer:

 During dinner we heard a knock on the door and were so puzzled as to who'd be knocking on our door Christmas Eve evening. Everyone was so excited when it was Mason! We were so happy work sent him home so he could eat dinner with us and watch the girls sing Christmas carols:

Watching the kids play and giggle together made my entire Christmas. Once they left, the kids got dressed in their Christmas PJs and set out milk & cookies for Santa:

Last year, the kids got so many presents that it was quite overwhelming for them. This year, I Santa decided to cut back and only get the kids things we knew they'd be obsessed with. I always feel a sense of guilt since the kids don't get to exchange gifts with our family in Ohio so I always go overboard. By overboard, I mean I would literally wrap a shirt or pair of socks just so they'd have more things to open. This year, Santa brought stocking stuffers and a few gifts to open:

Tenley woke up at 3:30am ready to open presents. After telling her that Santa didn't come yet, I finally convinced her to go back to sleep. She was up again at 6am and made us wake up the twins. Watching them open their presents was so special because they weren't ripping through things (not enjoying them) and going on to the next. They honestly enjoyed everything they opened; which made it so magical:

(Girlfriend is obsessed with Ever After Hill dolls and since Santa brought Ev a big dollhouse, Tenley got a handful of new dolls. She was so excited that I thought she was going to cry!)

The kids spent all morning playing with their new toys:

After our yummy wedding soup and pasta dinner, we headed to Boulder City to see the house that won $50k for its Christmas light display. It was amazing! If you haven't seen this house or the tree in the center of BC, you gotta go see it because pictures don't do it justice:

Before bedtime we got sidetracked with the dart guns and had a full blown dart war. The kids thought it was hilarious watching Ed and I chase each other around and rolling through the halls dodging foam bullets (Santa did good with that gift!). The kids may or may not have been used as a human shield once or twice. It was the best ending to our day:

The one thing I learned this Christmas is the true meaning of 'quality over quantity'. Our days weren't full of things in quantity, but they were overflowing with quality. All day the kids kept saying "this is the best Christmas ever!" and I think they were right! We started a new tradition of Christmas carols around the tree and dart gun fights. We laughed so hard that we almost peed and to me, that's the sign of a great time. I'm so lucky to have this family of mine. I hope everyone had a Christmas full of quality!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Weekly Update

I had to get a crown put on Monday morning and the twins cuddled on my lap while they cemented and drilled my tooth- #momlife at its finest:

Tenley learned about the letter 'L' at school and made a [sad] ladybug. She also came home with a Christmas gift for us- a handmade ornament; which are my fav:

The girls asked me to paint their nails red and green for Christmas. They are so girly and I love it:

The twins also learned about the letter 'L' on Tuesday, but at least they made happy ladybugs. Speaking of happy, they brought home their school pics and although Wes is half-blinking in his they made up for it with a sibling photo that is to die for! I can't believe these are Ev and Wes' FIRST preschool pics and Tenley's LAST preschool pics:

(Do you not chuckle when you see this and imagine the 'Stepbrothers' picture?! Like, I can't.)

(Ev looks like she's in pain and Wes, my silly boy, is kicking mulch. Gotta love it!) 

That afternoon, T and I put together hot chocolate mugs for their teachers at school:

Sweet Sailor came over to play with Ev and Wes and the kids loved having her all to themselves:

Later, we took the 4 kids (including Sailor) to meet the rest of the Rice crew at the Cosmo. We wanted to go ice skating and when we found out that it was half off during the week we were all over it. We didn't even make it around the first corner before I thought I was going to pee my pants. We were laughing so hard as each one of us tried to find our footing. And you know crazy Tenley looked like she was having a full on seizure on the ice. Nothing slows that girl down, not even ice under her feet! They had these awesome things that strapped on to the kid's shoes and they were all so good with them on. Towards the end, Wes was running all over the ice. We had so much fun and our abs (and backs) were sore the next day:

While T was at school Wednesday morning, the twins and I did some Christmas shopping:

Tenley had a blast at her school Christmas party. They made an adorable Rudolph with their hands as his antlers and Tenley got a cute marshmallow snowman from a friend:

That night I taught two classes and had so much fun! Teaching is a lot more work than I ever imagined, but it's so rewarding when you see your clients shaking. You are literally changing their lives and it's so awesome to see the changes in their strength daily:

While the twins were at school, Tenley and I had some shopping to do at Town Square. Of course, we can not go to Town Square without visiting the playground and Santa's cottage:

Ev and Wes had fun at their Christmas party, too. Ev got Dory play dough and Wes got Hot Wheels. They couldn't stop talking about the gift exchange and were so excited to show me their handmade ornaments:

Ev crept into our bed in the middle of the night and slept like an angel, while hogging the bed:

Tenley had her last day of school before Christmas break and made a Christmas wreath:

Ed and I went to Pure Barre Friday night to celebrate their ONE YEAR ANNIVERSARY! Obviously, I'm obsessed with everything Pure Barre and couldn't miss the celebration:

(Thanks for making me a part of the team, Cassi and Mish!)

Tenley had her Winter Recital Saturday afternoon. The girls in her class had a small part, but were so excited to be there! Even from the sidelines, Tenley sang her little heart out:

Tenley loves to sing and dance. Sweet girl was beaming when Daddy and Mimi gave her flowers:

Ed tried taking a pic of the girls and I after and it was laughable:

(FINALLY!!)

Cassi and I took the girls to see The Nutcracker at The Smith Center for the first time and it was so magical! The girls looked beautiful and held hands the entire time. I've never been there before and was thrown off by how fancy and beautiful everything was! We took the girls early so they could get their picture with The Nutcracker and go to the Wonderland next door. They enjoyed singing Christmas carols and hearing Clint Holmes, a Las Vegas Entertainer, read the story of The Nutcracker before the ballet:

The girls ate peanut butter cups and kit-kat's before the show began and sat so good the entire time. Tenley kept asking to leave in the beginning because there wasn't much dancing, but when the dancing started she was absolutely fascinated! When I worked at RE/MAX my friend always took her niece to The Nutcracker every year and I dreamed of doing the same with a girl of my own. We almost didn't go this year, but Ed insisted we go since we've been wanting to see it for 2 years. It was such a great mommy/daughter day with our friends:

That night, Ed and I had a date night to support my friend, Amelia. She started her own belly dancing company so we went went to eat dinner and watch her first show. It was a great show and she was phenomenal:

WHAT A BUSY WEEK!! I'm looking forward to a few lazy days before the Christmas parties and festivities begin again! I hope you all have a great Christmas week and enjoy every second with your family! 

Until next time! :)