Chronicals of Christmas 2007

The Reason for the Season...

Merry Christmas from The McLaughlin Clan

...And on the Santa note...

It was a scale-back, sit-back and relax kind of Christmas...the gifts the monkeys received meant a little more and didn't get thrown to the wayside. It's hard to do that sometimes with all the commercialization not to mention the kids want-lists. Usually they're small and simple, but as the kids are getting older their want-lists are becoming longer and more expensive. Monson went across the street this year to get some help composing his from his 14-year-old friend, Mackynzie. I saw it for the first time today when Santa put it back in his stocking and I laughed out loud so I thought I'd journal it on my blog. It went like this:

Dear Santa,
This year I have been a good boy! For Christmas, I would like a guitar. I would also like a BYU basketball and a sweet sweat band. I would also like it if I could get an ipod nano. I know I sound greedy, but I am only 7. And lastly, I would like it if you could bring me an ipod nano case for the ipod I want.
Love,
Monson McLaughlin

p.s. But don't forget this. I want a Shadow Hawk. I would also want a board sharks surfer. The very last thing I want is a journal. The two very last things I want is world wrestling entertainment. The very last thing I want is a transformer ultimate bumblebee. Thank you Santa for all of the toys you gave me through my hole life.

Okay, so what is a 'sweet sweat band' Didn't know they came in flavors. Or maybe he's just describing the sweat band. I have no clue what anything is in that last paragraph. Can you tell that his 'p.s' was done on his own and not with the help of his 14-year-old friend?! He sure has a lot of very last things. I'm happy to say that Monson received a guitar, basketball and journal...that's pretty much it from Santa, Mom & Dad. All a 7 year old needs!

And I'd like to add, that while the kids are generally good, this last month they've been pushing all the wrong buttons and Santa could have brought a few of them coal once again---This momma isn't a push-over and a few of them came really close at times to experiencing a stocking full of coal for the 2nd time as Mom & Dad checked in with Santa & his elves!

It was nice to be with just our family, but I have to say, I did miss being with extended family members as in years past. Not living in Utah anymore means our home is no longer Grand Central Station and there is an element to that that I miss.

The kids came downstairs one by one, youngest to oldest and this is sheer anticipation-torture to the older ones (I speak from experience-we used to do the same thing). We took turns opening and we were done doing gifts in like 1/2 hour flat. The tornado that whipped through this house just stayed all day while I attempted to nap (yeah right) and the kids came and went as they played with their neighbor friends.

• Bray snapped photos all day with his handy new digital camera--I deleted some pretty nasty ones of me. I really should get out of my pj's more often.
  
• Kenz listened to my ipod all day with her boyfriend i-pillow (crazy name for her pbkids pillow that has ipod speakers).
  
• Mons fiddled with his guitar and managed to break a string already.
  
• The little girls took orders for making fake-baked meals in their new kitchen and talked on fake phones and received pedicures from big idol-sis, McKenzie.
  
• I finally did Viviana's 7-month-old photo shoot....update soon to come.
  
• We all gorged on pastries, hoot-nanny pancakes, muffins, OJ, egg nog, english toffee, peppermint bark, pecan bars and so much more.
  
• I'm adopting Allison's puzzle tradition---so it's gracing our table and keeping McKenzie, Izzie & me busy tonight.
• The boys are watching movies after eating pizza...more like a normal McLaughlin dinner! Sad, but true. It is the #1 staple in our home next to chicken dinosaurs. Yes, I'm 'that' kind of mom.

Merry Christmas to all! Can't wait for the clean up tomorrow!