Alexandra decided we should have a real tree for Christmas this year. I thought that was a great idea especially since my dad brought some back from Idaho. I love free. After propping up the one we chose from the yard we decided to go with the fake tree and put the real tree outside. I put the lights on and the kids decorated. I didn't care for the look of our sorry 10 year old fake tree but it would do. I only had to have it up for a month then I was planning on throwing it away. As it turns out it wasn't meant to be. While trying to sneak under the tree to peek at the only gift under it Eli knocked it over. No big deal we stood it back up. But last night while trying to rotate it enough to plug the lights into a different outlet it tipped over again and then again. The stand broke. So out with the fake in with the real. It isn't actually that bad it was just a bit lopsided the first time but makes up for its looks with its fresh smell. I love the smell of real pine. So we shall see if it can survive the next 22 days.

Mima and Brian

Derek's mom Felicia a.k.a Mima and Brian came to visit. It turned out really nice having them. I was a little worried they would go crazy with the noise or get bored but I think it went well. Derek had to pick them up at the Spokane airport at 11pm. Xavier and Eli went with him. i thought they would sleep all the way there and back. turned out they only slept on the way home. My mom babysat Vanessa and Alexandra that night while I went to Twilight with Camery. So disappointed. I will leave it at that. We spent the weekend just hanging out relaxing. I get so wiped out during the week I just want to crash on the weekend. Actually we didn't do much over the whole week. Derek took everyone to the batting cages one day while I worked. Alexandra had a pick up soccer game so they got to watch her in action. We decorated gingerbread houses one night. Decorated the tree. Thanksgiving we went to my parent's house for lunch then just chilled. Friday Kimber picked me up and we hit Walmart at 4:30. I went for the Nintendo DS with game for $136.00. It was actually a gift for Eli from Felicia. I ended up buying a new desktop. I swore I would never buy an HP again I couldn't pass. $400.00 with 2 year service plan. I might not have gotten it if my laptop wasn't sent off for repairs again 2 days before. I hate not having a computer. Anyway after that we went to Big Five bought nothing and Tri-state getting free wool socks. Again bought nothing but Kimber needed new shoes that day. Saturday I took his mom, Alexandra, and Vanessa shopping around town. It was fun. I never spend the time to go to the little shops in town. While I didn't find any Christmas gifts i did find a cool piece of fabric for Alexandra's room. Sunday we had a few friends over and celebrated Eli's birthday. His birthday isn't until Dec. 17 but since we had company we thought it would be something to do. I really liked having his mom around. It was nice to have a female adult around to talk to. I had forgotten how much I like being around her. It has been 3 years since we lived in Arizona where I got to visit with her all the time. The boys loved having Brian around to entertain them. He didn't have to do much. Just sit there and let them climb all over him. They headed back early Monday morning. Hopefully they will be able to come up again soon.