Snuggle Bug ...

Holly is our snuggle bug. She will sleep like this all day. She has her pillow, Hannah Montana blanket and stuffed kitty. What more could she ask for???

The Day After ...

Christmas has come and gone. We had such a great day. This is the first year that we have had Christmas with just the four of us. We definately missed our families but enjoyed the relaxation of lounging in our PJ's all day.

Everyone got what they wanted. As a family, we got the Wii. And let me tell you ... it is a blast. So much fun and so addicting.

Hannah got her baby she asked for from Santa.

Jeremy got laser guns and video games.

Rich is getting a new drum set for his Rock Band. He got Guitar Hero World Tour and Rock Band II and we "rock".

And I ... get a day of shopping (the kids have sworn they will be good). I also got a new sewing machine.

We hope that everyone had as great of a holiday as we did. Look out 2009 ... here we come!!!

From Our Home ...

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!!!

Made With Love ...

Gingerbread house under construction ....
The kids worked slowly to frost and place candies in the precise spot to build the perfect gingerbread house.

Here Comes Santa Claus ...

Saturday night we went to Hobb's Grove in Sanger and visited Santa.

Hannah is so excited to tell him she wants an American Girl. And then just checks him out to see if he is real. The kids at school are naughty and told her that there isn't a Santa the parents put presents under the tree. She questioned them and still is holding tight to her Santa thoughts.

Jeremy wants nothing to do with Santa. Someone might see him talking to the big guy in the red suit. But ... he wants presents. He is hoping for a Wii game console and nerf guns. I am pretty sure he is doubting the whole Santa thing but hasn't said anything to else.

Someday ...

Someday I will visit New York at Christmas time and see the Radio City Rockettes. I am amazed at how beautiful they are to watch dance. They are so in sinc with each other.

I know I can get my kick up that high with a whole lot of lots of practice!!! Yeah right. My cupcake stomach would stop that.

The Pox Are on the Loose ...

I am posting an update of Mr. Chicken Pox. We went to the doctor on Monday morning and they confirmed he does have the chicken pox. Basically, they said happy itching ... but don't scratch. They gave him a shop of Benadryl to help with the itching and help him sleep. They also have put him in isolation.

Today ... he is feeling less scratchy feely. He is up moving around. And I think he is starting to find some humor in it (if that is possible). Or maybe just boredom.

The kids are still pox free. We went to the doctor yesterday and they gave them a second immunization to help ward them off. Personally, I think let them get it and be done with it. We will know around Christmas if they get it or not.

NOT FOR THE WEAK STOMACH ...

Mr Richard has the chicken pox.

He came home from his birthday Metallica concert switched on the lights and asked to inquisitively, "do you think I have the chicken pox?"

He is covered from head to toe. They are even in his ears. Poor guy says they itch like crazy. The doctor called in an anti-itch medication along with another medication to hopefully weaken the virus.

We are doing everything we can to keep him in bedroom isolation from the kids. Both of them have had one shot of the vaccine but the doctor said there is a very good chance they are going to get it ... Merry Christmas!!!

A Very Happy Birthday to You!!!

Today is Rich's birthday. So I am dedicating this post to him.

Rich is truly the best guy in the whole world. He is my lobster. Never does he complain about stepping up and doing. He is such a giver. And the world's greatest dad.

This year for his birthday ... he is going to the Metallica concert. He is the ultimate Metallica fan!!! Three of his heavy metal loving friends will be accompanying him tonight.

Happy Birthday Rich.

Making a List and Checking it Twice ...

Christmas shopping is not going so great for me this year. It is really spoiling my holiday spirit. The kids are done but that is pretty much the extent of my list being complete.

For some reason, I can't find the perfect gift for anyone. I really wanted to take a different approach to giving this year and put deep thought into the gifts. I have succeeded (not sure of the spelling) on two people. Now what to do for the others.

Maybe I am being a cheap scrooge but ... did they increase prices??? My paycheck seems to be gone before I even get started. I know there is that perfect gift out there and I will find it.

Elfing Around

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Elfing Around!!!

Our Angel ...

This time of year always makes me miss my Grammy. She was such an incredible person with a great soul. She gave to all around her and never expected a thing in return. At times, I see my Grammy in my Mom.

Hannah has been talking a lot about Grammy lately and missing her lots. Her Christmas ornament this year was inspired by Grammy ... an angel. She says that the angel is Grammy on our tree. How sweet is that???

We all miss you Grammy but know that you are hear with us in our hearts.

O' Christmas Tree ...

Tonight we decorated the Christmas tree. As I sat on the floor and unwrapped each ornament, the kids asked about each one they hung on the tree. Rich always hangs the high, heavy ornaments. And we continuosly rant on about being careful and quit running around the ornaments. In the end of the madness we have a tree full of memories from the past. Each ornament signifies something to us; a vacation, our new home, our pool ... so many great memories.

Burr ... it's cold!!!

What a great weekend we have had. We went Saturday morning and got our Christmas tree. Not too big but not too small. Rich has put all the lights on it and we are going to decorate it as a family on Monday night.

Off to a party Saturday night. All I can say is ... what an experience!!!

Sunday's church service was awesome. They re-enacted the Christmas story with Beatles music. Awesome, awesome, awesome.

It has been so cold here in Clovis it is amazing. We haven't gotten out of the 40's in the past few days and they say it is supposed to stay like that for a while.

Messy Matilda

How can such a precious little girl make such a mess??? Anyone, anyone?

Hannah's room continues to be a constant what to do in my life. She plays in there for hours on end and loves her room. She loves every toy she has. Hannah is someone that has an imagination that runs wild. She is so content to play by herself.
The only problem is ... she loves to make a mess. I ask her if she likes her room looking like it does and she so matter of factly states "YES". If you make her clean it, she will sit and cry for the longest time and get nothing accomplished. I have tried the tough love and just let her cry but honestly that doesn't work. I can't stand to hear her crying. Maybe the problem is too many toys.
Any ideas???

LIGHTS, LIGHTS, EVERYWHERE ...

It is starting to look a lot like Christmas at the Cernansky home.

Rich called in sick today and spent the whole day putting up our Christmas lights on the house. It looks absolutely beautiful. He asked me what I wanted and I referenced "It's a Small World" at Christmas time. My absolute favorite light spectacle!!! I think he did a great job.

Dentist Appointment ...

Off to the dentist I went today. Definately not very willingly. I am not a fan.
My biggest fear ... pain after keeping me from eating. It is all about the food!!! Lord knows I am not going to starve to death but I would definately be hungry. So what did they say??? Only one cavity. After three years of not going to the dentist I only have one cavity.
That was a relief of news.

Catching Up

Sorry this may be longer than the past.

Well ... we are back from Disneyland. What a great trip we had. Our plans were to leave Clovis on Monday around 10 am ... at 2:30pm we finally got on the freeway. Just as we were going to leave in the morning Hannah stated that her ears hurt. With a quick phone call to Dr Fields ... we were on our way to the doctor!!! Turns out she had the start of an ear infection.

Disneyland was truly the happiest place on earth (not the cheapest). The rain held off all day and didn't actually start until the fireworks show was over.

Jeremy had his first trip on Indian Jones. He loved it!

Another big feat ... he drove his very own Autopia car.

Hannah wasn't quite tall enough for Indian Jones so Grandma took her to the Tiki Tiki Tiki Room ...
Okay ... so our drive home was not very pleasant ... it took us 7-1/2 hours. We went 30 miles in 3 hours. We all thought we were never going to get home. We finally arrived.

Thanksgiving .... was very thankful. We didn't have time to get a turkey when we got home Wednesday night (thank you traffic). So off to the grocery store Rich went early Thursday morning on the hunt for the perfect turkey. By the time he got home, we were short on cooking time ... so we deep fried our feathered friend. Hannah and I made green bean casserole (yum).
We were all so very thankful for our family, health and love for one another.

Shake, Rattle & Roll ...

Mother/Son Sock Hop - 2008 ...We had so much fun at the Red Bank Annual Dance. We dressed in our favorite (well ... it's what we had) 50's outfit. The DJ was awesome ... he kept the party going until the end. Rootbeer floats for all ... Jeremy loved that. In the end, Jeremy got a gumball machine and I a record cookie. Jeremy is such a great dancer. He really gets into the groove and gets down. I am sure he gets it from me!!!

What to do???

Wednesday ... early release day.

Rich is coming home from a business trip ... will he expect a clean house???

I wonder how much a housekeeper would cost??? Definately not in the budget.

Oh well ... lifes little joys and blunders.

"Brusha, Brusha, Brusha, Get Your Teeth Their Whitest"

Today we went to the dentist.

Both Jeremy and Hannah are cavity free!!! Yeah.

The kids convinced me (being the softy that I am) not to make them go back to school at 11am. Not sure yet if that was the wisest choice I've ever made. Jeremy is bored. Hannah wants to paint (if you could only see her room ... painting is not going to happen). I myself would like a nap. ZZZZZZZZ .. oh sorry ... dozed off for a minute.

Do Everything Without Complaining

Good morning!!! What a wonderful weekend we have had.

Saturday was SOCCER!!! Unfortunately we didn't win but the kids played a great game. Jeremy has really had to step it up this year in soccer. The kids are playing so much more aggressive.

Sunday we went to Church. What an awesome sermon we had. Do everything without complaining or arguing. Choose to be a complainer or a do gooder. I came to the realization this morning that I have been living as a complainer rather than finding the good in certain situations. This is going to be a new goal for me. I don't know how I will handle it when the dog steals my intimates from the laundry and takes them into the yard!!! Or when the kids are just running around like bancheez and won't listen. But I hereby promise to do my best!

Alice In Wonderland ...

Last night Hannah had her last performance of Alice in Wonderland. She was a member of the card chorus. She had such a great time. She memorized every song and sang them around the house ... we now all know "Painting the Roses Red". Jeremy had such a fun time watching the play he says he is going to tryout next year. Such proud parents we are.

A Day of Shopping ...

Today I spent the day shopping with the Beal girls. We went looking for the perfect pair of jeans for MelBeal. She found the cutest pair at Lucky. I had to go into Anthropologie. I just love that store and wish I had an open ended checking account. Rich can buy me anything from there for Christmas and I will be happy as a bug.