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!

My Project List

I'm sure that everyone has one of these lists floating around their house of things they really want to do to decorate. I've had my list for over a year now, with all of my projects being in different states of completion. Ask Don about my issues/projects in the garage. He'll vouch for me. And I would have been content to continue my slow progress if not for the fact that we had family visiting from out of state. And it wasn't just any family (sorry Heidi, Steph, and Tammy. I know you'll understand). It was Don's Gram, Gigi, and Aunts. I couldn't let them come to my house and not have it super cute right?!?

So here is my list, straight from the real one. Complete with pictures. Enjoy!

* Hang Frames Upstairs

This was my project that was in the garage for about 8 months

* Paint clock & Letters for Upstairs

* Paint Magnetic Chalkboard

Probably one of my top two projects even though it took forever!

* Make/Hang Curtains in Guest Bath

Another of my top two projects. Can I say how much I love this!?!

* Make/Hang Pictures and Cork board in big boys room

* Find Nice Table Center Piece

Accomplished only with the assistance of my awesome neighbor Sheila

* Hang Family Pictures in the Living Room

Recognize the pics? Sheila took them for me for Father's Day

*Hang Metal Family

Just FYI: for those of you living in Utah, be thankful you can get these. I've had more compliments and questions about where I got them and how they can get them.

* Decorate Tops of Cupboards

So there you have it: My reason's why I've not been blogging lately. I've been busy!!