Three's a crowd.

Troy and I finally finished the girls beds. We have three girls in one room and it's a bit crowded. The beds free up a lot of space in the room.

We are going to be putting new carpet in next.

It's fun to listen to the girls talk at night. I love having them all together in one room. Because we have a separate play room, their bedroom is just for clothes and sleeping. I can't wait for it to be all finished.

I am really proud of Troy and myself for accomplishing such a huge project in just two days. We are both stiff and sore this morning. We sure aren't spring chickens anymore.

Fred's new trick.

The kids had a couple of their friends over after school today and they were playing in the tree house. Fred our dog decided to climb the steps so he could be with the kids.

This was the end result when Fred tried to climb down the steps. It was really funny to watch him try to figure it out.

Soren was trying to give him some encouragement.

At one point the kids tried to get him to go down the slide. I could see the fear in his eyes. The poor thing was actually crying.

He tried to put on a brave front.

Nope.

Try again.

Almost got it.

This is what started it all.

Blue.

That's how I have felt the past few days. I can't believe it's 2010 and Christmas is done and over with. What happens to all my time?

I need to get back into my routine again. The kids all start school again tomorrow which will help.

More than anything I need green back into my life. I guess New Mexico really isn't the place to be if I wanted a green landscape. We have these wonderful vines on the front of our house. In the spring the leaves pop out and turn green and the berries are absolutely gorgeous.

Here I am complaining about how time flies and I want it to be spring already. I guess I just need to get through today, then the next. One day at a time. Maybe there is beauty in being blue.

Christmas day.

Last night we walked to streets of an old neighborhood where Andy had grown up. Andy is our friend that is spending Christmas with us this year. It was very cold out and the wind was blowing. Olivia was not very happy.

The streets were lined with luminarias and lights. It was beautiful!

This morning the kids woke us up around 5:30 am. We mad them wait it out in my room for a while. The kids and the dogs all crowded up on my bed and had a wrestling match.

We were waiting on Andy.

Who is that strange man in my bed? Oh, it's just Andy trying to go back to sleep because he thinks it's way to early to be getting up.

The kids all line up to go out to the tree.

Olivia opening up some of her gifts.

Daddy and Olivia playing around.

Troy got me a turquoise ring. I have been wanting one for a really long time. I just love turquoise. I have always liked it but it wasn't until I moved to New Mexico that I fell in love with the art of it. I would love some really big chunky pieces next Honey. Hint, hint. My nails look horrible, I tried to paint them red for Christmas my self. Note to self, let the professionals handle it next time.

Cold.

It's very cold here in New Mexico.

Very, very windy.

Last night we woke up to lightning, thunder, rain and lots of wind. It's December for goodness sakes. It was a little creepy.

We ended up with some beautiful icicles on the wisteria vines though.

Oh' little town of Olivia.

This week I set up our little Christmas village. We have picked up pieces here and there over the years. Olivia pulls up a chair to the counter and will stand there for the longest time singing or just playing make believe with it. I will listen to her while I am cooking of cleaning up and the things she comes up with is just adorable.

I hope that this is something that she remembers about Christmas when she grows up. I remember when I was about her age and a little older that I would play with the Jesus from the nativity set the my family had. It was so tiny that it would fit in the palm of my hand. I would take a tissue and wrap it up like a real baby. This poor Baby Jesus. It had chipped feet and hands by the time I grew up. What I think is wonderful about it is that my Mom would let me hold him. That is one of my favorite Christmas memories.