Happy Christmas!!!

We are tracking Santa on NORAD.com..  Soon he will arrive in Japan.. Here is wishing you all a Happy Christmas, Yule, Hanukkah, or how ever you choose to celebrate Dec 25.   We will be together as a family, and that is all we need!!!

Busy......and loving it!!!

 

                                                                  Peyton freezing at his football game.

                                                               Christopher's band concert.

My baby in his santa hat!

We are busy and loving every second of it.  Christopher had his orchestra band concert. 3 years of band is really paying off.  I am amazed at how much he has grown and matured over the last year.  Wrestling, JROTC, band, and in his third year of Japanese has him busy.   I don't remember being this busy when I was his age.  

Peyton is having a great kindergarten year.   His class went caroling, and they had a Polar Express day.   Tomorrow is his class party, then winter break starts!   His last football game is Saturday, and I have to say I am sad to see this one end.   He has 2 wonderful coaches.  They have really worked with the kids, and it shows.  I hope we have the pleasure of having them coach again!  

Grandma arrived today for a 2 week visit.  We plan to play tourist with her, and eat tons of food!!   

Tis the Season....

Ian and I at his command Christmas Party.

For parties, game night, caramel corn, hot coco (tons of marshmallows of course) cookies, and FUN!   I love this time of year.  The whole family together...

Busy is not even the word I would use.   Peyton and I get to bake cookies, go caroling, and have his end of year football party.  Noah and I will be getting him ready for a camping trip.  Lot's of cooking and packing.

Christopher will walk around eating everything we bake, and the best part he will actually be HOME!  No wrestling, band, or ROTC.

I love this busy, crazy time of year.  All the more because Ian is home for all of it again this year......  


We almost decided to have a Japanese style Christmas (KFC and Strawberry shortcake)... Then decided no way.    Maybe one of these years before we move, but not this year.  


We have a few family traditions.   Making Frolla, watching Christmas movies all day Christmas Eve, and of course hide the pickle.  What are some of your family traditions?


Oh, and maybe send a bit of snow, if anyone reading this has any to spare!  Thanks :)

You leave the kids alone for 2 minutes...

I was busy doing laundry, and this is what I walked into.   The boys are really having a great time with their baby sister.

I am having a great time laughing...

Time...

 Time is flying right by here at the T house.  Ian made it home a couple weeks ago, and we have been making up for all the time away.  Piper had her 1 year pictures taken, and I love them!   I asked Ian to wear his whites, he said yes (after some stiff negotiations)..  

We have been having a lot of tea parties.  

The kids got to have breakfast with Santa, and their pictures taken.  Christopher spent the weekend in Misawa (more on that later)  so he missed it.  I for one love Santa, and the magic of Christmas.  

Peyton and I went on his field trip, mikan picking.  Only in Japan do they give a bunch of 5 year olds' pruning sheers and let them at trees.  But, they do, and we ended up with 2 large bags of mikan's.  

Piper and Gigi have become fast friends.   

I took the 2 little kids to see The Dirty Socks Band.  We had a blast.  I had no idea who they were, but quickly found out they play on Nick Jr.  

Christopher has been busy.  Much busier then I ever was at his age.  On Friday he loaded up on a bus, took 2 flights, and landed on the other side of the country.  He flew from Sasebo to Misawa for a wrestling tournament.  Yet another thing that really would only happen in Japan.   He did great wining 3 of his matches.  Lately he has been home less and less.   I feel like I am missing my son growing up, but deep down I realize I am just an overprotective mom!  

We have moved (AGAIN).  After a couple of days living in chaos the house was unpacked, and our tree is now up!  We are all ready for this holiday season.  Grandma will be flying in for 2 weeks.  It will be wonderful to have her here for Christmas.  Ian will be going on leave at the end of the month.  2 whole weeks of no work, or cell phones!

Peyton got to help Ian hang the star.