Daily Life with the New Stuff...

We've all been enjoying the last few days. Madison is out of school, Luke has had preschool some days, and Edward has been splitting time between the clinic and the hospital. Plus, the weather has been great (and cold for here!), so we've been spending a lot of time outside.

I really wanted a new bike for Christmas, and here it is! My last bike was purchased for my 16th birthday (yikes). Now, I can actually enjoy riding around with the kids. Alex likes the new ride too. We've been biking everywhere on post...commissary, post office, clinic, school.

The boys have been running their Tonka vehicles all over too. Alex's bulldozer has great handles on it.

The boys are outside of Madison's bedroom. The garbage truck is there to pickup the dollhouse's garbage, (as you can see, the truck is really weighted down!) and the bulldozer needs to go in her room and clean up the mess of stuff she thinks is appropriate to leave on the floor. They spend a lot of time at her room with their trucks visiting the dollhouse :)

Christmas Day-More Family Presents-Huffmans

After our delicious Christmas lunch, which was a repeat of Thanksgiving, we opened the last of the presents, the ones from my family. Thanks again to everyone for everything they sent.

All three kids got new luggage from my parents. They are huge bags, perfect for using this summer when we move.

The demonstration- The bag is almost as big as Luke.

Luke loved his G.I. Joe characters from Aunt Mer, Uncle Harry, and Baby Alaina. They have been "fighting" for days. One did scare me the other night when I checked on Luke before I went to bed. I didn't know he had one in his bed, and it said, "Yo Joe" as I moved around his pillow.

Alex LOVES this huge garbage truck from Grandma and Grandpa.

One of the biggest hits was the three new packs of Captain's Wafer crackers sent from Grandma and Grandpa. We can't get them anywhere out here, but luckily the local Piggly Wiggly carries them in NC. All were excited to replenish our stock.

An ambulance from Aunt Karen, Uncle Clay, and Wes

Carin sent the perfect princess-Sleeping Beauty! She didn't come in the large set that Santa brought Madison.

Another G.I. Joe type creature...thanks Aunt Karen, Uncle Clay, and Wes.

Ahh, the newest love of Madison's...this doll. This line of dolls is really funny in that one of the dolls is named Meredith. Another doll is named Alana, but we're going with Alaina. This is the Alaina doll, sent from, who else, Alaina.

Loving the donuts...thanks Aunt Mer, Uncle Harry, and Alaina

Carin, Luke now hates bows! It was hilarious to watch him try and get the ribbon off the present...by the way, we've had a blast playing the Elefun game.

Ahh, the weird eater in the family, Aunt Karen, picked out a very appropriate gift for Alex...Melissa and Doug play sushi.

Loving the Little People set, Carin!

And, this is where it ended...jealous of this?? I feel like we're on "A Christmas Story" again. Yes, all the kids abandoned this to go back outside and play. Who could blame them though? It was a beautiful Arizona day with highs around 80 degrees.

We had a wonderful Christmas Day.

Christmas Morning

Our kids were "slightly" excited for Christmas Morning. They are at good ages right now for Christmas, and we had a wonderful morning.

The kids had to put out milk and a cupcake for Santa the night before. We had cookies too, but the kids decided a cupcake from Edward's birthday party was more of what Santa might want. They said he might get sick of eating all those cookies.

Christmas came! Here is Luke's pile.

Madison's pile

Alex's pile

This turned out to a a huge hit. It's a Barbie princess carriage that also turns into a hot air balloon. Madison loves the Disney Princesses, so they've been riding in the carriage.

The princesses...for the carriage. Madison quickly noticed this seven pack came with the new Rapunzel from "Tangled" (which we haven't seen), but she was really upset they didn' thave Sleeping Beauty in the pack. Ironically, my friend Carin sent Madison Sleeping Beauty, which Madison was just elated. Thanks Carin!

Luke had two things on his Christmas list (he said that was all he wanted): a Transformer and an airplane. Here's the Transformer.

The airplane

Luke also received a new scooter. He had the toddler, three-wheeled version and has now upgraded to the regular two-wheel. Alex has already started using the toddler one :)

Luke also received a play gun set, which has been THE TOY of the season. No, it's not a Red Rider.

Alex is obsessed with Luke's Buzz Lightyear, so hopefully, this will end the fighting.

A sword to go with the gun

Playing with her princesses

And, Luke also received a dress-up costume. He loves Batman. Try to picture this: Batman, riding on his new scooter, and trying to hold the play gun and sword. My neighbor Kellie told me Luke kept her laughing all Christmas morning as she looked out her kitchen window and watched Luke ride his scooter up and down the street just as described.

Batman...protecting the streets.

The kids did enjoy their morning and kept singing, "Happy Birthday Jesus" as the day went on. They wanted to sing "Happy Birthday Jesus" the night before at Texas Roadhouse for Edward's birthday, but we told them we'd keep the singing for our house.

Christmas-Part 1

We were very blessed to have family and friends send us so many nice things for Christmas. Our post office lady joked that she knew we were staying here for Christmas due to the amounts of packages arriving. As to not overwhelm the kids, we broke up the gift opening. We decided to open presents from the Jones side of the family Christmas Eve and the Huffman side of the family on Christmas Day. It worked out well and gave the kids time to enjoy their things. Thanks again to everyone who sent stuff. The kids really are enjoying everything, and we really appreciate it. Here is Christmas Eve...I know our family wasn't here, so we took a lot of pictures to see.

These aren't even all the presents. We had already pulled out the Jones side of the family gifts (pictured below).

Madison and Luke were very excited to open gifts. They pulled out presents early and just sat and waited.

Pillow pets from the cousins...very excited!

Luke's most requested item...the Batcave! Thanks Nana and Pop!

After seeing the Nutcracker, Madison was delighted to get the Barbie version.

Alex got into it opening presents too.

Madison was also delighted to receive a radio/cd player for her room.

The boys love their matching Toy Story sheets.

Alex is obsessed with my mixer, so he got his own.

Alex's most loved toy-the Fureal kitty...he LOVES it.

Madison has already decorated her Pet Shop.

Madison's most requested item...a doll bike seat for Hannah. Thanks Aunt Jennifer and Uncle Andrew!

New clothing...a definite need!

Edward got a tennis racket for his birthday. He opened his birthday presents after the kids did Christmas presents. He and I hope to start playing again.

Edward was very grateful for the new cordless drill. I know we'll both be using that a lot in about seven months when we move.

Alex liked my cookie scoop.

I was very glad to get a digital photo frame. I've wanted one for awhile.

Not really a Christmas present, but I desperately needed a new ski outfit. We were able to find this while in Flagstaff. Hopefully, we will move somewhere I can actually use it! Mom, that scarf you got me matches this very nicely!

Thanks again, everyone. Pictures from Christmas morning to come.