Christmas 2013

This year we had a really nice Christmas.  We decorated the inside of the house early so we were able to enjoy it longer.  Devin was in charge of the outside decorations and got a lot of them up-but didn't do as much as he had hoped.  He is already making plans for next year.  One of our favorite activities is sitting on our couch and watching all of the cars drive by to look at our lights.  There are some that will actually take photos (kinda weird)  On Christmas Eve I counted 8 cars in 5 minutes.  It was a CrAzY around our cul-de-sac that night.

 I was playing around with my camera one night and asked Kyra to pose by the tree. Of course she was more than willing.

 

Photo of our home:notice the flying reindeer?!

Cortlynn and Tristan had a Nutcracker performance and was unable to attend the Ward Christmas party.  I braved it alone (Devin made it to the dinner) and took the little ones. Santa made an appearance this year.  Kyra was excited-her first time EVER, and Brynlee was terrified.

Christmas Eve jammies.

This year Santa brought Tinsel the magical reindeer to our house early.  The kids needed to be watched and their actions reported to Santa each night.  Not only would he hide every night-but he brought a box full of wrapped books.  Each night the kids would unwrap one and we would read it as a family (or at least try. Our schedules were almost too much)  We don't have an elf on the shelf--I don't need anyone extra being and doing naughty things at the house.  Having Tinsel hide every night was difficult enough.

The kids left out a plate of cookies and milk for Santa as well as Tinsel.  He always goes back with Santa on Christmas Eve.


 

You can't see it well-but Tristan sprinkled reindeer food out on the grass.  If you look close-you can see the sparkles in the snow.

Santa made it to our house and I was able to get a photo before the kids woke up.  This year--the kids woke up early-but they let me sleep.  Kyra came in around 9:00 or so-asking me to please wake up so they could open presents. 

Brynlee enjoyed the bow on her gift more than the gift.

 

On Christmas day-we traveled to Idaho Falls to have dinner with Devin's family.  They rented out a room and it worked out so much better than piling in someones home.  We enjoyed good food and good company.  It was extra special this year because Devin's mom suffered a heart-attack just after Thanksgiving.  She sure gave us a scare--and we were happy to have her celebrate Christmas with us.

Grandma and Grandpa McIntire weren't able to come down for Tristan's birthday-so they gave him his gift at Christmas.  Can you tell by his reaction that he LOVED his gift?!

Family Halloween Photo 2013

This year our Ward had a Halloween party at the church.  Cortlynn had dance practice but the rest of us were able to attend.  Here is our family photo.

 

Everything Nutcracker in the McIntire Household

 

Since it is the last day of 2013, I need to hurry and update the blog so my yearly blog book I print isn't messed up. 

 

The last few months have been Nutcracker everything at the McIntire home.  This year Tristan wanted to be in the production-so of course, we told him yes.  Cortlynn was in the Waltz of the Flowers--one of my favorite numbers, and Tristan was a soldier in the battle scene.  Practices began in October and once November and December came along---there were weeks that we had practices 6 days a week.  CRAZY schedule-but the payoff is a beautifully done production of a Christmas classic. 

 

Tristan took the role of a soldier very seriously.  He practiced day and night--and became the best marcher his little legs could handle.  He was the smallest in stature, but the biggest in heart.  Each time I would go watch--there would be older girls telling me how cute my little Tristan was.  Devin and I are so proud of him and his talent.  He has now asked us if he could take ballet.  So-beginning next week-he will also be taking a ballet class. 

 

Cortlynn has become a beautifully talented ballerina, and this dance really showcased her talent.  Watching her for the almost 7+ minute dance made me so proud.  What dedication she has.

 Since the older kids practiced non-stop at the house for the Nutcracker, Kyra too became obsessed.  She will now sing the music around the house, dance with Tristan, she knows the ballerina dolls parts, and is constantly dancing.  She was stealing Tristan's ballet slippers so much-that we gave her some for her birthday.  Kyra wears them everywhere and all the time!

Tristan and Kyra dancing.  Of course she is in her tiara, pretty dress grandma Swanson made, and her ballet slippers.

such a serious soldier

And they bow-----

Kyra's 3rd Birthday

I cannot believe my little Kyra Crystal turned 3 on December 23.  How fast time flies by.  Since my parents and Nicole were here to watch  the kids in the Nutcracker-we had a party for her the day before her actual birthday.  She was SOOOO excited.  Everything she opened; from her card, to the dollhouse, to her ballet slippers---her face would light up with the biggest smile.  Kyra loved all of her gifts.

 

 She wanted a princess cake this year-and this is what I came up with.  The cake and icing was pink with pink sparkles, and princess dolls on top.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYRA!!!!  We love you so much.

Annual McIntire Christmas Newsletter (copy)

It’s that time of year, when I take a break from the piles of laundry, endless diaper changes, coloring my white hair, and so many other “stay at home” jobs-to put the happenings of our family down on paper for the Annual McIntire Family Christmas Newsletter 2013.  Is that a Yippee I hear in the distance?

This year has been eventful-to say the least.  In May we welcomed a new baby girl.  Yes it is number 4-but she is such a blessing in our lives.  Little Brynlee Onyx was born in a little room I refer to as a closet on May 3.  EVERYONE was having babies at the same time and there was literally no room for us at the hospital.  I am happy  to report Devin stayed with me the entire time and didn’t disappear to take a nap in the car, like he did with Kyra.

 Since Devin is a good 20years away from retirement-he still works at Fred Meyer.  He works long hours and at times may feel underappreciated-but we love everything he does for us.  Unfortunately he wasn’t able to go hunting for big game this year-but he did hunt for pheasants and ghosts.  Yes-you read that correctly ghosts.  I guess since hunting living things has been less than successful-he moved on to the not so living.  He has gone on 1 ghost hunt with a paranormal group and would love to go on more-but with the work schedule he has and the fact I demand he spends time with the family-that may not be a possibility.  Devin was able to enjoy several different fishing outings while at the same time repairing our rental property in Arco.

 I am continuing the career of domestic diva-minus the diva part.  I have my hands full and there are many days I run out of hours to get things accomplished.  I’ve been helping a lot with the elementary PTA functions, fundraisers, and committees, volunteer to help in Tristan’s class, and I am also the secretary/treasurer of the middle school parent organization.  While tying 400 hundred tiny tags to 400 tiny candy canes-I catch myself thinking, “Why did I volunteer”.  But-I like to know what is going on and being in somewhat control-so being part of a parent organization gets the job done.

 Cortlynn is fastly approaching the age of 13.  She’s excited; Devin and I-not so much.  She is in 7^th grade now and is doing an awesome job in all of her school subjects.  Straight A’s and perfect attendance.  Pretty much a model student.  She is continuing with her training in ballet and LOVES it!!!  I will often find her in her room dancing when she should be sleeping.  A wall, couch, open floor area is not safe if she’s around because she is constantly stretching her feet and legs.  Almost daily I am amazed by her many talents and that she doesn’t let her complete hearing loss in one ear deter her.  She has actually taught herself to play the piano.  She plays several songs and does a really good job: all of which is from hearing it being played somewhere else. Since she is now 12, boys are no longer “icky”—time to lock her up in her room and throw away the key.

 Tristan is 7 and is such a kind-hearted little boy.  He is doing great in school and has become a very talented reader.   When asked what subject he enjoys at school he will tell you recess, lunch, and math.  Tristan decided that he was tired of watching Cortlynn dance and he wanted to be in the Nutcracker this year.  He is the cutest, smallest soldier with the strongest march.  That boy is stomping in the house and is constantly practicing the part.  Who needs an alarm clock when you have a soldier marching in your kitchen.  He loves video games, playing with his friends, and spending time with dad.

Kyra is a spitfire and keeps us on our toes 24/7.  She is a beautiful little girl and wants to play, sing, dance, every second she’s not forced to sleep.  She is very opinionated and will tell you how it is, but also how much she loves you.  Kyra is obsessed with circles. When she’s not drawing them, she is positioning toys, blankets, and books around her to create a circle for her to play within.  Even while in her pretty princess dress or tutu-she can still out burp her brother. She definitely has her quirks but we wouldn’t change a thing.

 Brynlee is now 7 months old but acts so much older.  She can’t sit still and has to be standing, crawling,  and will follow her siblings all over to play.  She is a very happy baby and her smile melts my heart; but she has a  temper.  WOW if she’s not happy, she will let you know.  Brynlee loves to cuddle and is so full of love for everyone. She LOVES to give people especially her mom sloppy kisses, enjoys to dance to Christmas music when it is playing on the TV, and stops whatever she is doing to watch her favorite local weatherman, Michael Coats. She has brought so much joy to our family.

 We didn’t do a lot of traveling this year.  We were able to go to Bear Lake for a few days and spend time with my immediate family.  The kids and I also traveled to Great Falls, MT to visit my parents and see their new home.  Traveling with 4 children definitely isn’t the easiest-but the memories that are created are worth it.

 Our days are filled with crazy schedules and we are constantly running around, but we try to stop each day and enjoy our family.  I continue to write on the family blog AKA my online journal and if you need any reading material to induce a coma-like state—please go to christinamcintire.blogspot.com

 Until Next year: We wish you a very Merry Christmas and a joyous New Year!

Devin, Christina, Cortlynn, Tristan, Kyra, and Brynlee

Halloween and Birthdays

Yet again I am falling behind in my blog posts.  I cannot believe we are just 15 days away from Christmas and I'm just now posting about Halloween and birthdays.  This year Halloween was a little chilly but the kids were able to trick or treat and collect more than enough candy that we are still eating.  Cortlynn wanted to go with a friend and she ended up dressing all in black.  Not sure what the two of them were trying to be--but do you ever know the thinking(s) of a 12 yr old?

 The school had a costume exchange this year.  I took Kyra and Tristan--basically to show support to the PTA, but Kyra found a bumblebee costume and had to have it.  She wore that thing every day for 2 weeks!  Nothing like enjoying a free costume!

Of course Tristan had to be a super hero of some sort.  I found this costume on the Internet and he was so thrilled when it showed up.  Gotta love his pose.

Since Brynlee is so small and I wasn't too keen on taking her out in the cold-I recycled one of Kyra's costumes.  They look almost exactly the same!

Happy Halloween!!!!  I LOVE this photo.

 

Tristan turned 7 on November 20.  I cannot believe he is already 7.  Where does the time go.  After last years all boy party at the house and cleaning up cake from the floors-this year I asked him if he would be alright with going to a movie with his dad and than going to Outer Limits with the family. I was happy when he agreed and thought that sounded like fun.  Devin and Tristan went to "Thor 2" on his actual birthday and when they came home-we piled the family in the car and went to Outer Limits.  We had pizza, fries, other yummy fried food, while the kids enjoyed playing on the big jungle gym thing they have, arcade games, and glow-in-the-dark miniature golf.  We came home and opened gifts and enjoyed the cupcakes I had made for school.

Of course he wanted a cake-so for the grandparent party I made a superhero cake.  It was an extremely busy day in the kitchen-so I didn't do everything I wanted with the cake.  Tristan didn't care-he LOVED it!

The photos below aren't the best but they show Tristan at school for his science project.  It was on Elephant Toothpaste.  It turned out really good.  He was so proud of himself.  (don't get too impressed, this was all done at school, I didn't help him so I can't take any credit)

I woke up the morning of my birthday and began cleaning the kitchen and putting dishes away--I lifted up a cupcake container and almost dumped the cake Devin had made for me.  He actually woke up at 6am and made this cake for me before he had to be at work.  I was so impressed.  This would be the first cake he has ever made for me.  The night before he was nice enough to stay home with the little ones while Cortlynn and I went to a 10:30pm showing of "Catching Fire".  We actually ended up being gone for close to 5hours: the kids and house survived without mom.  It IS possible.