December Doings... Santa arrives.. OH YEA!

Christmas morning was so exciting!  The kids were so lucky to get exactly what they asked for.  Zachary asked for DS Guitar Hero Decades... Rock ON Santa!  Rae wanted to ask Santa for a video camera, but Grandma and Grandpa Rockwood fulfilled that wish a few days early, so on Christmas Eve, Rae decided she would ask for a new dress... and WHEW Santa came through on short notice!!!!!

Grandma and Grandpa Rockwood were big Santa helpers to our family this year.  We were so excited to get a fun family gift from them... a Wii!  Woo Hoo.. needless to say we haven't left the house much since.  We were even late to Christmas dinner, as we were busy playing Rock Band.

We truly are grateful for this season and feel so blessed to have such a wonderful Christmas filled with love, family, friends and fun.  Merry Christmas everyone.

December Doings... Needles or bust!

A few days before Christmas, the kids and I made an excursion to my birthplace, Needles CA, to visit Grandpa Teddy and Grandma Kathy.  We had a super fun day.  Zach and Rae especially enjoyed crusin around town in Grandpa Teddy's cool effecient Gem Car.  I opted for a full size truck with a heater.

We hit Burger Hut for lunch, aka Irene's back in my day.  I made myself sick on a combo burrito and taquitos.  Yumm, my mouth waters just thinking about it..  I especially enjoyed catching up with my sisters and getting a city update with my dad.  It really is a shame we don't get down there more often.  Here are some pictures from our trip.

Grandpa Teddy and Raegan

Zachary and Grandpa Teddy

Me and my youngest sibling Frannie 14 years old

Rae, Zach and Gpa T

Frannie, Me and Rainie my college student sister... you go gurl!

Dad and his girls, we are responsible for all the gray hair that makes him so distinguished.

Also a big thank you and love you to Grandma Kathy for all of her thoughtfulness and love, she really made Christmas special in the Crabtree household.  

BTW you can click on these picks and save them to your desktop if you want any printed out.

December Doings.. Let it snow?... not so much

So its old news now but it snowed in Vegas.  And I was one of the many who were stuck on the unprepared roads.  I had been up since 3 am.  We wrapped early at the Encore, and I was looking forward to some rest and relaxation with the kids and I had no idea what the weather had been up to.  Well.... boy howdy!

Well after going the the mall for a few hours because of backed up traffic and getting diverted off the freeway again and finally making a final attempt to get home, I was stuck for another 3 hours!  I didn't get home until 1 am. I was soooo not a happy camper..  can you tell?  Not knowing why we weren't moving was very frustrating, I mean people all over the country drive under these conditions, right?  Being that Clark County only has 6 snow plows and desert rats have no clue as to how to drive in snow, wrecks were abundant.  The Boulder City pass had a blanket of fog as well as snow causing zero visibility.  I didn't believe it until I drove through it.  Still wasn't happy, severe lack of sleep, exhaustion and cranky crabbies will do this too you when your stuck 3 miles away from home.

December Doings... Christmas Choir

Okay so I am really behind on the blogging.  New computer and a Mac learning curve is my only excuse aside from being so busy, as you shall see...

First we have Zach's Christmas Choir performance.  It was great, other than a few technical difficulties forcing the kids to sing acapella, (which sounded awesome too).  Zach's Choir instructor Mrs. Barlow is a favorite among the kids.  And as Zach says, "The best thing about choir is NO HOMEWORK!"

Photoshoot starring Zach and Rae

My friend Jessica is an amazing family photographer.  And I must say her work has really developed and grown in the last few years.  See for yourself... CLICK HERE  and see Zachary and Raegan's photoshoot Without a Place, Wandering Photography.  I am sure you'll appreciate it as much as I do.  

Thank you Jessica!!  We are soooo happy!

Season Stuff

Tis the season for Christmas Carols and parades.  Here are a few shots of the happenings lately.

Zachary is in choir this year.  Garrett Jr. High Choir sang at the annual Boulder City tree lighting.  Who says choirboys arent tough?

Raegan managed a photo op with the man in red and BC's own Jingle Cat.

A few days later is the annual Christmas Parade.  Raegan and her cheer squad were excited to march along in the fun.

We sipped on hot cocoa and enjoyed the parade as well as the not so cold weather.  Isn't Christmastime fun?

First days of Christmas..

Well we did it!! We put up the christmas tree! What a feat it is to assemble this tree. As much as I love this tree, I also hate to assemble it. But the results are always worth it. This is a lucky find tree, I got it at a garage sale for $20. Is that a steal or what?

Our tree is extra beautiful this year thanks to my friend of Christmas decor Rachelle. She's a bit of a Christmas tree a-holic. Currently she has 3 trees in her home and one somewhere in Arizona...? Anyway she handed all of her ornaments from her "white christmas" themed tree to our family. Over the years, slowly but surely I have been going designer on our tree. Purchasing ornaments bit by bit each year. Well Rachelle made it happen this year, as my tree's theme is blue, green, white.... like my home.. we are full blown designer tree... I love it... the kids like the excessive ornaments because there are so many, it doesn't matter where they put them. Mike.. has no comment.

So, it seems the Christmas season is upon us... happy holidays everyone!