Happy 13,505 days!

He is 37 years old today. His request: homemade blueberry pancakes for breakfast and Grimaldi's pizza for dinner. Simple enough. The older he gets, the simpler his requests. These pictures are the past year in review (not necessarily in any order). Above, his annual Fat Back's Motorcycle trip.

Family pictures - always his favorite event of the year.

Vacationing in Cancun. Keepin' it real.

Staehli Family Farm with the family.

Boogie boarding in Oceanside with the family.

Coaching his boys.

Trying to find a pair of jeans that fit. These didn't make the cut to purchase but perfect for the blog. Skinny jeans are not for him.

Go karting at the Boulder City salt flats. Although, since the go kart went hay wire, those days may be over. We're all a little paranoid.

Life is ALWAYS more fun with Eric. He says this next year is going to be "IT." It's the year he's going to get in the best shape of his life - both mind and body. We are going to make some major decisions that affect the rest of our life. I'm glad I'll be around for all that. It sounds like a plan to me.

Happy Birthday Eric! Mucho Amore!

Field Trip

Boston's school went on a field trip to the Boulder City train depot. I was able to tag along as parent volunteers were more than welcome. Boston was a little disappointed Santa didn't show up but had a good time anyway.

Here he is with his buddies Carter and Deacon. Every time I see Boston in his little red sweater my heart skips a beat. So cute.

This conductor was full of knowledge and posed for a picture. The ride lasted about 45 minutes. One lady commented on the beauty of the mountains and I said, "I guess they're beautiful for the desert." She replied, "You must be from Utah." I am yet to find more beautiful mountains than the one's in Utah. However, the desert has gorgeous sunsets and you can ride in an open-air train in December without a coat. Always trying to see the positive. Ha, ha.

Boston wanted to call it a day after the train ride and skip school but I insisted he head back with the rest of his class. It was only 11 am and my last day before the Christmas break without kids. I hit the ground running.

FHE, Christmas Navitity, & HTer's

Christmas pajamas have always been a tradition in on our family. Growing up my mom used to make the cutest nightgowns. We usually give them to the kids on Christmas eve but after reading my friend Rylee's blog, I decided to adapt her tradition.

This last week for family home evening I attempted to have a spiritual lesson, then the kids opened their pjs, jumped right into them and we went to look at Christmas lights. The house below was my favorite. The whole street was a different theme and almost as good as Disneyland. Then to top if all off, we had Golden Spoon yogurt. Kennedy was so embarrassed to go in with the boys in their Star Wars pajamas.

This is very bad video taking but something I thought the grandparents would enjoy. It's a little snippet from the kids presenting the Christmas Nativity at our ward Christmas breakfast. Jackson (in the turquoise) reminds me of a minister and Leighton a wizard. Boston is suppose to be Joseph. Just watch Jackson. He was in his own world. It's mainly for the grandparents.

Christmas Card 2010

I post our card here because this is the best way to preserve it. Sorry if it's redundant. If it's not and you would like to receive one via the mail, please leave a comment with your address so I can send you one next year. This is my way of staying in touch so I welcome the opportunity to send a card.

GREETINGS!

From our “refined” family to yours, as usual, here is some of our yearly humor.

The lady at the dry cleaners told Boston (5) he was very good looking. His reply,

“I only like older girls.” So smooth he is.

Leighton (8) brought a form home from school telling me he wanted to sign up to play “Chest” (Chess). I’ve tried to set him straight but he insists that’s what it is called.

There are just too many to choose from when it comes to Jackson (8). How about the time he asked his friend’s mom, “Hey, do you still have that smoking habit?” Or the time he asked our friend (a grown man) during church, “Do you know what a blue dart is?” And then went on to give an explanation too racy for this refined card. Or maybe the time he asked me what therapy was and after I told him, he humbly replied, “I think I need therapy.” Don’t we all.

Having Kennedy (12 soon) around is like having a policeman constantly watching, driving with the driver’s ed teacher, and God sitting next to you. It is impossible to get away with anything! She has very high standards for herself and the universe.

Eric told me the other day he had it all figured out. He would work for one year, then we’d go on vacation for a year. Work for one year, vacation the next. While this is a novel idea, I don’t think it will work. The kids would need to be home schooled and that’s where I draw the line.

I was waiting in my car to pick the twins up from school, talking to a friend on my phone, when Boston announced he needed to go to the bathroom. I told him to hold it. We’d be right home. Next thing I know, he’s attempting to pee out the window. “You are not peeing out the window!” I exclaim. Dumbfounded, my friend asks me if I really just said that, and then assures me that would never come out of her mouth. She wants to start a book of Allysonism’s. Crazy thing is, I wouldn’t have given it a second thought. It’s part of the life we call “normal.”

We are beyond grateful for all we have.

May this season bring grateful hearts and happiness to you.

Have a very Merry Christmas & fruitful New Year!

The Bateman’s

ericandallyb.blogspot.com (for the racy details)

The top picture is the one that made the cut for the card but these other two were note worthy.

Notice the girls actually have their feet off the ground. And yes, I was a cheerleader in my former life. Pathetic at that.

Merry Christmas!

Advent

I filled this beautiful advent calendar with four yummy chocolates per day and an occasional piece of gum for my four children. Yesterday, Eric went to indulge himself and found only one piece of chocolate left! When I asked Boston if he did it, he pointed to Jackson and said, "He did it too!"

While it's a nice idea, there is absolutely no self control around here. I'd like to know whose children adhere to the one piece of candy a day? Eric tells me there isn't a child out there that could abstain. It's just too tempting.

Town Square

I love going to Town Square any time of the year because I feel like I am "among the living." It's such a fun, lively place with people enjoying the atmosphere. At Christmas time, it's even better. The Normal Rockwell house where Santa is and the snow that falls from the trees makes it magical. We were too cheap to pay to sit on Santa's lap but got our fill from the window.

Eric no longer frets about taking pictures. In fact, he initiated this one.

We did a little more than window shop at the i store. It's very hands on and I'm sure full of germs. We all wanted a little something from here for Christmas.

And on a totally different note, Boston has been wanting a "sports bra" like his friend Angelo and I finally broke down and bought him one. However, I've only known it as a "wife beater." He looks like a muscle man for sure. He can't wait to show it off to his friend. Luckily it's 60 degrees here so I doubt he'll be wearing it alone. Next post, the twins and Eric will be sporting one so stay tuned! (just kidding)