Getting Christmas Ready

Okay, we are getting caught up!  Karl finally got the official word that he is starting a new job next week!  He will be working in Livermore at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.  We are stoked and for so many reasons.  To celebrate we bought two kittens!  Between them and Kylie, I can't do anything during the day!  The kids LOVE the cats to pieces.  Kylie couldn't leave them alone for two minutes and thinks she can tell them what to do and pick them up.  She is learning what 'time out' is.  = )

School is wrapping up for me and now I get to plan for next semester.  I finally got to talk to a counselor so I have a clear picture of what I need to do in order to be ready to transfer to a 4 year college when I'm done at Delta.  I'm enjoying being busy and taking things day by day versus having so much time that I plan things way in advance and then nothing goes right.  Now I just have to keep things in check on my calendar so I don't fall behind.  I'm really looking forward to Christmas break with the kids.

Natalie is finally learning new stuff at school.  I broke down and got us a library card for the first time.  We go check out books on Mondays and Natalie reads around 4 books a week.  She is a reading machine!  Of course we all know where she gets that from.  She and I like to cuddle on my bed or on the couch and read our books together.

Kylie has switched gymnastic classes because she has advanced so fast in these four months.  She is not liking the change and cries for her first teacher most of the time.  Hopefully in a few weeks she will warm up more to this class.  She is so funny!

Stephen has been working so much since the summer and has finally found something to spend some of his money on.  He put in a large amount of money to get a new computer.  Karl put it together for him and helped pick out the components.  Apparently it's really fast.  In fact, Karl is a little sad because it's faster than his!

This week we have started getting ready for Christmas.  We tried REALLY hard to wait until Thanksgiving was over to broke out the carols and wreath.  Now I'm baking, playing holiday music, and decorate the house a little more everyday. 

Tonight we set up the Christmas tree!  Even though you don't see Stephen in the pictures below, he was able to be there and help out.  We hope this isn't our last Christmas with him but at this age, you never know...


Our tree before decorations and lights - yes, our new kitten, Lola



Our tree with just lights...



Our tree all dressed up!



Kylie climbing all over the couch and over the half wall...

 

The 120 cookies I spent all afternoon making for a bake off this Saturday



Natalie's car invention made in our newly made playroom



Karl installing a flat screen in his new office - think its big enough?!

 Next we get to tackle the outside....