It's been a while since I posted and there are several things to catch up on. First, I had a great birthday on Monday. Patty came over and watched the kids while I went and got some shopping done. Then, Tim took me to La Madeline for my birthday. It was yummy! This is where the night got interesting! We came home and pulled in the driveway. I got out and smelled something. The dogs were barking hysterically. I went to the backyard to get them to be quiet...our neighbors are not found of barking dogs. They are barking at something in the corner of the yard. I go back in to help Tim get the kids out of the car and he gets the flashlight to see if he can find what is causing our dogs to go nuts. It turns out our dogs had cornered a SKUNK! And that skunk has sprayed our backyard. It's not the smell you smell when you drive by a dead one on the road. It's 100 times worse. We called animal control, which of course was closed for the day. The message said to call police dispatch. Which was a waste of time. They wouldn't do anything. So we called our friend from church who lives down the street. He came over with his neighbors gun. (Tim's gun would have blown a hole in our fence and the police would most likely have paid us a visit.) Joey came over and he and Tim went on a skunk hunt. Joey shot him once. Then twice and thought he had missed and then the skunk fell over...dead! Thanks to Joey for saving the day. If only we could have gotten rid of the smell that easily. Our house smelled awful. We lit candles, simmered vinegar and cinnamon sticks and even baked coffee beans. It lasted for a few days. Our cars even smelled like skunk. Luckily the dogs did not get sprayed! Whew! That would have been a chore giving them a bath.
Then, on Tuesday, Glade pulled a stocking and it's holder down on his head. He has a nice cut and dent where the snowman's hat hit his head. Many of you know how much a head can bleed, and I was prepared for a lot, but it really wasn't that bad. He was so good to let me hold the icepack on his head to get the bleeding to stop. He snuggled with me for about 10 minutes and was ready to play again. We are definitely lucky it wasn't worse.
I was ready for a calm peaceful day after that.
Glade and Addison got to see Santa on Thursday at Preschool. I was in there when it was their turn and they both screamed. They wanted nothing to do with Santa! Tim and I plan to take them again and get their picture made together. Maybe they won't be scared if they are together.
Sorry there are no pictures today. I just have been too busy getting the house decorated and preschool curriculum done. There will be more soon, I promise!
There's the football again, he has had this ball or the basketball with him at all times since Christmas morning.
Glade and the football
Glade eating breakfast with his new basketball
Glade and Addison cooking something good...notice Glade still has the ball.
So proud of his basketball goal
After presents and breakfast we walked to the park down the street and let the kids play. Glade had to take his ball with him! 
Addison in the big girl swing
After their nap we loaded up and went to Tim's sister's house for dinner and presents.
Addison getting a present
Ciara got the same present as me...a red camera and a red case!
Glade had fun too.
The whole family
Our friends the ducks...they like tortilla chips!
Tim paying the bill!
In front of the Rivercenter Christmas tree.
Dad, screwing in the deck boards
The completed project...well almost, we have to put the sealer on the deck.
Glade cried at first, but then he settled down. He stood up the whole time she was cutting his hair. She even used the clippers and he didn't cry!
