The Joy Of Christmas

John's take on the Christmas Holiday Fun

Lego’s and Pooping Snowman!!!

It’s the most comical time of the year! Well, at least it’s like that for the Files Family. We feel blessed to have wonderful family and friends who care enough to clutter our counters with cheese balls, sparkling cider and sugar cookies. Next year, I’m giving everyone some Trim Spa so they can burn off all the Holiday fat from consuming the massive amounts of cookies, candy and overcooked Turkey.

Christmas morning, the kids were up at 6:30 so Heidi and I stumbled out of bed and she grabbed a few Pepsi’s while I poked around in the garage trying to find the tools needed to free the presents from their cardboard and plastic prisons. I felt like a one man demolition crew and once our living room was re-decorated with shards of plastic and cardboard, the line of tired salivating children formed begging me to bring to life, their shiny new toys which require batteries. Once the dust settled, I was able to lick my wounds from opening the toys. No sooner than I was able to bandage myself up, my living room turned into a UFC octagon and the fights broke out over who’s illegally playing with the other’s toy. Joseph won the battle this year as he chucked his shake ‘n’ go car at Jarren’s head and impaled Jacob with his Clone Wars Light Saber. So with the living room destroyed, and me being the walking wounded, I managed to shovel a small portion of our driveway so we could head over to Heidi’s parents house for our traditional family breakfast and round two of opening presents. Heidi’s mom spoiled us with a Wii and I consumed 1 pound bacon for breakfast. Heidi watched a movie on my iPod that I can’t mention because she would end up in a federal prison. After dinner, we loaded up all of our crap as best as we could in the confined quarters of the Truck and made our way home. The day after Christmas, we went to a movie and saw Bedtime Stories and picked up some accessories for our Wii. On Saturday, we headed up to Smithfield and again, we found ourselves huddled around cheese balls, popcorn balls and room temperature cold cuts. Yum!!! It was nice being together with everyone for the Holidays and enjoying our gift exchange. The boys got some toy cars and in their stockings, they got a little plastic snowman that disperses candy out of an escape hatch on it’s bum, the snowy bowel movement is collected in a hat. Oh, and I must mention that when the snowman is bumped, shaken it plays the most irritating Christmas song. Unfortunately, we were driving home on snow packed roads so we were kept in the holiday spirit by way of this irritating snowman with irritable bowel syndrome who sang for the entire three hour drive home.

On a more serious note, we are thankful for everything we have and wish all who read this a safe and prosperous new year. You are always in our thoughts. Scroll down and look at some pictures.

This Slide Show starts out Christmas Morning, Christmas afternoon at my parents, with the big family Christmas moment at my grandparents two days later.

What Did You Find Out Side Christmas Morning?

We found lots of snow and more snow. It later started snowing even more. It is a good thing we borrowed my Dad's truck because we would have never made it out of the drive way in the van. But we took these pictures after we did some snow shoveling and our neighbor used his four wheeler w/snow plow attachment. Thanks Austin!!
The Front of our house.
The Front at a side angle.
Looking across the street.
Looking up into the Cul-da-sac.
Our back deck.

Guitar Hero, Preschool Fun, & Snow Days

On Sundays after church we usually go to my parents place for dinner followed by watching movies or playing video games. So this one Sunday the boys want to battle with Grandpa on Guitar Hero. It was fun to watch.
Grandpa Kowallis, Jacob up set that Grandpa is better then he, and Jarren waiting his turn. I just have to say this picture makes me laugh. Everyone is so serious.

Also in December 2008 Jacob's preschool class put on a little Christmas program that was a lot of fun. Jacob loves Christmas songs. When ever driving around town you will hear him singing Jingle Bells.
Jacob as they enter for their program.


Jacob in a video with his preschool class singing Jingle Bells.

Just before Christmas we got a very large snow storm and the kids just had to go out and play in it with friends.
Jarren starting to make a big snow ball, with Issac ready to chuck his snow ball at Jarren.
Jacob running through the snow and Issac stopping to see if the snow taste good.


Fun video of the boys having a snow ball fight.

A Visit With Santa!!

This past December 2008 our church had a Christmas party where Santa came and the kids got to sit on his lap and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Jarren told Santa that he wanted a WII spelled W-I-I. I thought it was so funny! Jacob said that he wanted something Speed Racer and Joseph did not last long. I was able to get a picture of the boys with Santa and I didn't even have to stand in the long lines at the Mall and pay an arm and a leg for my photo of crying children.
Jarren
Jacob, who is hard to get him to look at the camera.
Joseph still unsure.

As part of the Church Christmas party they had all the kids in the primary come up and sing some Christmas songs. You can pick out Jacob in the front wearing gray with stripes.

Catching UP-Thanksgiving Fun

So, it has been almost a month since I said I was going to get things caught up. Time got away from me. Sorry, but you now can enjoy all the fun things that have been going on around here.


Back in November Jacob's preschool class put this cute little Thanksgiving program on. I have included a little video where you will see that Joseph felt he needed to part of it. And Yes that crazy Binky is in his mouth. He seems to read my mind when I have taken it and hid it from him.
Jacob there on the end in black/red stripes with his pilgrim hat, that they made in class.
Jacob up close

Here the video I took of one the many songs they did. Jacob did not sing much but it was still cute.

Stay Tuned!!!

So I am behind on a few posts or should I say several. I will be posting all of our Holiday fun and pictures over the next few days from Thanksgiving to the New Year.

I hope everyone had a great Holiday season and may this new year be just as good if not even better!!

Lots of love
The Files Family

Kids Do The Strangest Things.

Well one day while setting up Christmas decor the boys got very quite. Which makes me wonder what mess or trouble they are stirring up. As I came down stairs, I see Jarren trying to get his brothers to meditate. I have know idea where it came from, but I thought it was very funny!!

Jarren
Jacob
Joseph

What Are Your Family Traditions?

That is what John was asked by a friend of his and this was his reply:

It’s starting to become a tradition that on the day after Thanksgiving, we choose to pick out the Files Family Christmas tree and forgo the battles at the mall. Shopping for trees is quite an adventure. I mean I drive all over the valley looking for visually appealing tree lot and spend my entire Christmas budget on some sap ridden farm grown Christmas tree that mysteriously changes its shape once set up in my living room. And what’s the deal with proprietors of Xmas tree lots anyway? I mean who wants to buy a tree from some lazy eyed, unshaven freak of nature wearing coveralls, beanie (no offense) and wielding a chainsaw? Now I know what carnival workers do in the off season.

After erecting the centerpiece of holiday cheer in my living room, I dig out the boxes from our basement containing all of our Christmas Crap and once the dust settles, I proceed to untangle the strings of Christmas tree lights and go into battle with Heidi as to how to decorate the house. I usually park it on the couch by this time in attempts to corral my kids from molesting the tree and rifling through the Christmas decorations. Once the house has made the transformation, Heidi will bust out the Christmas music CD’s and the annoying sound of Celine Dion singing Deck the Halls will fill my house with Joy and thoughts of homicide.

An Early Merry Christmas From Our Family To Yours

Ok so a friend had one on her blog and I thought is was way too funny!! So here I am with one of my family. I hope you enjoy it and have a great Christmas!!!

It was a cute elf dance using our family's faces. It since has expired. But if you keep checking I will have new one up next christmas.