December 31

 

Lucy spent the night with Mamaw and Bapaw last night. 

New Year's Eve day has been fairly quiet and restful. Lucy was at Mamaw and Bapaw's, Kat went to a friend's house for a few hours, and Elliott spent a couple of hours at a neighbor's house. So it was just me and Julia for awhile. And she is such a problem child.

December 30

After the wild animal encounter yesterday, we had to find a place for Clay to watch the UK vs UofL game. We went to several before we found one that had any seats. So we ate a nice long lunch and he watched the game. Then it was time to shop. 

 

Lucy entertained herself while the big girls shopped by played hopscotch.

 

 Grandpa and Elliott used the massage chair.

Dragon balls for a fun treat

December 29

Happy Birthday Nonna!

Grandpa and Lulu came in for a quick weekend visit to take the kids Christmas shopping. We also to experienced an exotic animal encounter. It did not disappoint. My friend Aimee volunteers there every Sunday. When I told her we were going, she brought her boys too. We got to learn a little more and experience a little more because she knows the people at WiN. Fun!

 

Spider monkeys are like very active toddlers

 Can you tell this monkey knew Aimee?

 

 Elliott is petting a wallaby

This capuchin monkey was licking Clay's head trying to help him grow more hair.

 

 Lucy petting a caracal

 When they brought out this squirrel monkey, it immediately went to Kat and wouldn't let go, so they asked her to take it around the room and show him to everyone. He's so cute and tiny he doesn't look real. That little guy is loud!

 The highlight for me was getting to hold Elmer the sloth. It totally made my day. I may have gotten a little teary-eyed when they brought him out.

 Aimee hooked Elliott up with holding this owl.

December 28

Yesterday was a bust. In fact, most of this week that Clay has had off work has been spent cooped up inside because of illness. Yesterday was my turn. I never threw up, but my stomach felt pretty sour for about 12 hours. I woke up around 1am feeling much better. 

We decided to head to the zoo and enjoy the warmer weather. The fresh air felt so good.

 

 See that meerkat on the bottom of the pile? This is what happens when I sit on the couch for a movie. I have a pile of people on me. I feel ya meerkat.

 

December 27

 

 Kat finally got her hamster. She has been talking about getting one for a few months. She researched hamsters, made a list of supplies, etc. We kept putting her off because we didn't need one more thing to move to a new house. When that deal fell through, we told her to wait until after Christmas. She managed to wait about 10 hours after Christmas. Ha! His name is Geronimo. He is very sweet and likes to be held. He poops alot. Like alot, alot. 

December 26

 

 

 

 Do you see how proud Joe is of the megaphone he got Elliott? Thanks Joe!

 

Goal for today: get the Christmas decorations put away and get my house organized.

December 25

Merry Christmas!

I am happy to report that nobody else has gotten the stomach bug. Hopefully I didn't just jinx us!

 How many people does it take to clip Gus's toenails? 4! One to hold him, one to clip the nails, 1 to hold the flashlight, and 1 to bribe him with cheese. Ha! Poor Gus hates getting his nails clipped almost as much as he hates fireworks!

While we were quarantined, we made cookies. Lots of cookies. 

Since we were stuck at home, I got the laundry caught up and cleaned the house. Of course, after opening presents this morning, it looks like a bomb went off in our house.  

 Santa brought Elliott a new BMX bike

 

 Julia got a VISA gift card to go shopping with

 Kat got PetSmart gift cards and hamster bedding

 

Lucy got the Barbie Ultimate Kitchen

 Happy Birthday, Jesus!

 

The kids enjoy watching their siblings open the gifts they picked out for each other.  Lucy especially loved this!

 Kat taped, stapled, and tied Julia's gift closed.

 

 Julia got a couple of shirts from The Office and a new sewing machine that hasn't arrived yet.

 Elliott opened a PS4 game... which lets him k now what gift was coming...

... a PS4 for the whole family.

 Kat got 2 gallons of glue for slime making.

 

 Clay put his new shirt on after making us pause gift opening for, well...

 

 Lucy got an Easy Bake Oven and some kits.

Gus enjoyed his gift too.