New Camera

For Christmas this year, Papa & Gigi surprised me with a new camera, case, and tripod. I was SHOCKED!! Janet told me that if it wasn't exactly what I wanted she wouldn't be offended if I exchanged it for the model that was. So I did. And this is what I got:

A Nikon D3000 with two new lenses. It. Is. AWESOME!!!

I may not know exactly how to use it yet (but I will learn!), but the pictures I take on Auto are still soooo much clearer than my old camera.

Here are a few pictures of my boys I took the first night I had it:

I know they aren't even close to spectacular, but they are much better than those I've taken in the past. THANKS YOU Janet & Don!

Christmas 2009

****WARNING: PICTURE OVERLOAD****

While Christmas Eve didn't go as planned (see previous post), Santa didn't pass us by. Though this year was a little weird. Usually Brennan & Dylan are too excited to sleep and want to open their presents at 5, but since we (Brennan and I) were up all night throwing up, we weren't able to pull ourselves out of bed until 7. While I woke up, Don got Ian and Nolan up so when I walked in the Living room, I was just in time to see Nolan run for the mini 4-wheeler and take off. So I didn't get any pictures of their surprised faces. Shoot! I'm sorry.

By far the favorite toy of Christmas

While Brennan didn't have to be coaxed into opening presents like the babies, we did have to pace him or else he would have been done in 10 minutes. In fact, he was moving so fast that I didn't get any good, clear pictures of him other than this one.

Brennan LOVES Lego's so Santa brought him lots of big sets like the police station and fire station as well as his favorite Zelda video game.

Got It!

It took Ian a little while, alright a long while, to figure out what in heavens name we were doing. He did love ripping the paper and trying to eat the bows, as you can see. He got lots of baby toys like stacking boxes, musical toys, and lots of little people, as well as a ride on/push car that Nolan thinks is his.

Nolan got a toy from his favorite episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: The Choo-Choo Express

He also got a Hot Dog Dancing Mickey. So funny to watch and listen to.

Are you sensing a theme here? To say that Nolan loves Mickey Mouse is an understatement. If he understood the concept of worshiping, I'd say that's what he does. So Santa brought him everything Mickey: tent, train, laptop, dancing mickey, books. I think the only things he got that weren't Mickey were the 4-wheeler and Alphabet Puzzle that he adores.

Alphabet puzzle and blocks~ some serious old-school action going on here!

Our living room looked like a war-zone when we were done!

Santa also brought Don an exercise bike and me a Husqvarna sewing machine and serger. I can't wait to get started on some of the sewing projects I've got planned!

This year is the year we got Dylan for the 2nd half of Christmas, so the day after Christmas, Don drove to Arkansas to pick him up. Ian and I were unable to go because we were both still sick and I had to take him to the doctor to make sure he wasn't dehydrated (he wasn't). While Don was there, he celebrated Christmas with his parents and brother's family. I'm so sad I wasn't there to have fun too, but Don brought back the presents that were for us. So while Dylan opened his gifts from Santa (lots and lots of Buzz Lightyear toys), the babies and I opened up our presents.

Dylan loved the Wii game from Daddy~ Toy Story Mania (his favorite ride at Disney World). Can you tell?

Brennan found a present from Santa he'd forgotten and was so excited. He'd thought Santa had forgotten it!

Ian had to taste the gifts before he could open them. At least he didn't choke on anything.

I have to say that I was seriously shocked when I opened my present from Don's parents: They gave me a camera, tripod, case and SD card. The camera they gave me wasn't exactly what I wanted so I used it as a basis for my upgrade to my new Nikon D3000 (they told me to get the camera I wanted, so I did!). I can't wait to figure out how everything works and start taking some really great pictures! (Thank You, Thank you, Thank YOU!)

I believe I speak for everyone when I say that even though we were all sick over Christmas (Dylan included), we had a really great one.

*Just out of curiosity, did everyone notice that we all had themes this year? Lego's, Toy Story, Mickey Mouse, Music, Sewing and Athletics. Made it kind of easy*

The Night Before Christmas

Brennan, Nolan, and Ian in their Christmas pj's (gotta love The Children's Place for matching jammies)

So the Night Before Christmas is usually the biggest night of our year, and this year was no different, though in a different way than I really expected. We were all sick, which made for a super yucky Christmas Eve.

Nolan and Ian had spent the entire day vomiting and having blow-out diapers, which in turn kept my washing machine insanely busy. Between trying to prep for Christmas and taking care of kids, it took me all day to accomplish what I could have normally done in an hour. Ugh! I hate dealing with throw-up. Which was probably the reason that I came down with the same thing the boys had.

Ian didn't really understand the concept of opening gifts yet, but he really like to shake it

Daddy helping Nolan with his Christmas shoes (that were too small... bad mommy)

Nolan enjoying the Christmas Cookies. Note: he's our very clean/dainty eater

Miraculously, there was a small break in the illness that encompassed our house. We used this narrow window of time to our advantage and did our Christmas Tradition of opening pj's, making cookies, and watching a Christmas Movie (since the babies LOVE Mickey Mouse, we watched Disney's A Christmas Carol). It wasn't much of a problem tossing the kids in bed and finishing up the few things left. What should have been a nice relaxing evening turned into a horrible night of sick kids and an even sicker mom. I don't know how we made it though, but somehow Christmas made it. Thank Heavens!

Christmas Preview:

Somehow, Christmas still came together. I thank Don for that.

Did you know that full Stockings don't hang very well? Ours had to find a new home on the chair.

Santa and His Reindeer

After much begging and pleading to go to see the jolly man, we finally found time just a few days before Christmas. It seemed that everyone else also put off getting him their lists. When we arrived (@2:15, fifteen minutes after opening) the line was already out the door and crazy long, but I could disappoint my boys. So we waited. And waited. And waited. The line was so long that Don had time to get off work, drive up from Goodlettsville, and still had time left over to stand around and wait with us. We finally got to see him just before 4 (which was good because he goes to feed his reindeer promptly at 4 and doesn't return until 5).

How things are 90% of the time: Nolan's crying about something, Ian's looking at him like "what's your problem?", and Brennan is trying to get them to laugh.

Classic Borchert Boys

Me and my sweet baby Ian (gotta love the stuck-out tongue)

Nolan doing what he's told not to do, though it's just a small touch. Trying to push his limits. But just a little.

Seeing Santa went almost exactly like I expected it to: Brennan was in HEAVEN, Ian wanted to play with his beard and hat, and Nolan just screamed and screamed until I decided to just hold him (hence why I'm in the picture). What surprised me though was the fact that Brennan was very focused on telling Santa what Nolan and Ian wanted for Christmas because they couldn't talk. Santa was very impressed that Brennan was so concerned for his brothers that he said "You're at the top of my nice list this year. What is it that you want for Christmas?" It really melted my heart to know that Brennan cares for Nolan and Ian's happiness so much. It was such a Proud-Mommy-moment!

Bella, Gabe, and Brennan

Brennan and Snowflake

Luckily, meeting Snowflake the Reindeer didn't take nearly as long as Santa. Snowflake is the reindeer who teaches the other reindeer to fly. As you can see, she was a beautiful animal. So much prettier than I thought she would be. Brennan loved her, though he didn't really think that it was a real reindeer. She may look fake in the pictures, but I can guarantee that she was alive and moving while we were there.

Girl's Weekend at the Opry

Me, Elaine, Carolyn, Gram, Trisha, Genna, Gigi, Callie

To escape the stress of the season and relax with the family, Don's Mom, aunts, cousins and Gram came to visit us December 18th & 19th. It was tons of fun having them here. I'm finding that living close to Nashville has its perks, like people actually wanting to visit you!

Friday night, while Don and I went on a date, all of the other ladies went to see Louise Mandrel at the Grand Ole Opry. From all accounts, it was a good, if a little short, program. The next day, we got up and headed back to the Grand Ole Opry to see The Rockettes Christmas Spectacular. It was really amazing to watch and know that the same dances have been performed all over the world for nearly 80 years.

The Hall Gals

After the show, we went shopping at the mall and around the town. It was hard to believe that they had never been to HomeGoods (my new favorite store)! When we got back to the house, we had Root Beer Roast (best recipe you ever shared Tammy) and Dessert Crepes. We spent the remainder of the evening watching videos on YouTube. Seriously one of the funniest things you can do with 4 generations that everyone will laugh at. I could watch the Single Ladies parody a million times and still die laughing!

Gram feeding Nolan whip cream. He was in heaven!

Even though their stay was short, we really enjoyed having them here. We always have a standing invitation for anyone who wants to visit!

Brennan's Holiday Party

While being Brennan's room mom has been a lot of work at times, there are other times that it is just FUN! Planning and throwing the Holiday Party falls into the later of those two.


Since we only had an hour in the morning for the party, Darlene and I decided that we would try to keep things simple and (semi) healthy by having a breakfast and a few activities. Donuts, fruit, and sausage biscuits for breakfast and bingo, build a snowman, and gift bags for fun. I bet you think it sounds a little boring, but I'm betting you didn't factor in 22 excited little 2nd graders did you?!?

It was so much fun! I even overheard some of the kids saying it was the best party ever, which really made me feel like I'd done something spectacular.


We started off by eating donuts off a string without using hands. If you an picture it, it was quite a sight to see.

After donuts, we ate breakfast. Super Yummy!

After breakfast, we built snowmen (out of stickers) and played Christmas Bingo. The kids were so into it, I was amazed. Sorry I didn't get any pictures of it, but I was too busy calling out for the game to get pics.

We ended the party with handing out the gift bags and watching a movie. The kids were pumped up for Christmas and Mrs. Huey was ready for a break!

Sharing the Christmas Spirit

For me, Christmas isn't about receiving gifts. It's about being able to show the people in your life how much you care about and appreciate them. I am so very blessed to know so many good people and have such awesome and amazing friends and family, it's almost overwhelming. While I try to make sure that I make people in my life know how much I care, I sometimes don't do a very good job at making sure the people who care about and for my children know how much they are appreciated. For that reason, I make sure to let them know at Christmas by writing them a note and giving them a small something to tell them "thanks for loving my kids as much as I do."



Since they turned out so much cuter than I thought they would, I'm putting them on here to show off my mad gift-wrapping skills.

What do you think?! I've got some mad skills huh?!

These small boxes of chocolate covered pretzels are for the ladies in the neighborhood who have become such awesome friends of mine.

The larger boxes of chocolate covered pretzels and embroidered towels are for the mothers of the children who play so well with my children.

The oven mitt and embroidered towels are for Nolan and Ian's teachers at The HOPE School. I need to thank them so much for everything they do for my babies. My children LOVE them and because they love them, I love them.

The wrapped baskets of embroidered towels, aprons, chocolates and kitchen gadgets are for Brennan's teacher and bus driver who have gone out of their way to make sure that he is well taken care of. Brennan has the best driver ever (I love Ms. Laura!) and one of the best teachers I've ever met.


I know they are just a small thank you, but I think I gotten more joy out of giving than I've gotten out of a lot of other things I've done in my life. And in case I've not told you lately how appreciative I am for having you as a friend, I am. Thank you for being my friend. And I really mean it!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!

Even though there is no snow or mistletoe, it still feels like the holidays are here. We've decked our halls with our (my) favorite things and can't wait for Santa to visit! Here's a look into our happy holiday decorations.

Who can have Christmas without an Advent Calendar? Brennan is so excited to decorate the tree with the little ornaments to count down the days to Christmas. When the tree is full, Christmas is here!

Our stockings are hung by our chimney with care, in hopes that St. Nicholas soon will be here. And just to make you laugh, Brennan says that when Santa laughs, his belly shakes like a bowl full of "Jellybeans." I can't wait to see it!

Our table is set to welcome our guests (even though we're not having Christmas Dinner here), complete with cinnamon pine cones and jingle-bells.

O Christmas Tree! I finally got my big, beautiful tree that I've been wanting for years and it's just as big and beautiful as I'd hoped. Looking at it all lit up makes me think of the magic that is Christmas. It gets me all giddy and excited. I'm almost as bad as the kids :)

The presents are wrapped and ready to go for the big morning. What's the most amazing thing about the tree and all of the presents is that Nolan and Ian have no interest in them whatsoever. They've never tried to open or even touch them. It's almost like they don't exist. Brennan is the child I've had to get after for messing with the presents. He's so excited, he's about to burst!

I've saved my favorite Christmas Decoration for last, even though it's the most important. The true reason for the season.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!