Christmas Eve at Craig and Liz's

On Christmas Eve we go up to Craig and Liz's house for a great family party. We haven't been to there house in the last few years because Scott's family normally does everything on Christmas eve. We go up there and eat until we are sick, my mom does a little play with the grand kids, and then we open up pajamas. It is always a great time.

For the play this year my mom did the nativity scene, she wanted to do it because we had a baby Jesus this year. It was so cute. Maddi was Mary, Jace was Joseph, CJ was Jesus, Tyler, Trey and Logan were wise men, and Masen was an angel and the star. This year Logan wasn't able to do the play because he was sick with the flu. Everyone did a really good job. Masen as always was the entertainer, he was a roaming angel through the play and then my mom gave him the star to hold he became the shooting star. He went around hitting everyone with the star and sticking his tongue out at everyone.

After the play was over, all the kids were dying to open there presents. So after they open the presents all the kids went and put the pajamas on to show them off. We all stuck around and visited for awhile. While we were visiting Masen warmed up to Craig and Bryan so they started wrestling with him. Then they had a great idea of sliding Masen on the wood floor. They would take his legs and just push him as hard as they could and he would slide across the floor on his back. It was so funny because they went the wrong direction one time and his head bounced across the floor, because their wood floor is rippled.

After awhile we headed to home to put the kids to bed, which my kids were so excited that Santa was coming, I didn't think they would go to sleep once we got home. Luckily, when we got home they both zonked out really fast. Thanks Craig and Liz for a great time.

Briggs' Christmas Party

We had our Christmas party on the 23rd with Scott's family. They came down and we have dinner and then open all the presents they give us and we give them. The way the day goes is I cook dinner at our house, while the guys cook the prime rib down at the shop. (Cuz it is almost an all day process) The way the guys cook the prime rib is, Scott built a big cast iron pan to cook it in. They put it on the camp chef and slowly cook it. Every once in awhile they will use the weed burner to heat the top so it will cook evenly. It is really good. For the appetizers we had cold shrimp, spinach dip, veggie and fruit tray. For dinner we had, prime rib, funeral potatoes, 7-up jello salad and rolls. For dessert we had Apple crisp cake with sauce and a pumpkin roll. After we eat dinner and stuff ourselves we open up presents. My kids could not wait to open presents. From Grandpa Gene and Nancy they get money, because they don't need anything. (which my kids get so excited about. They think they are so big when they go to the bank and hand them the money to put into their savings) From Grandpa Floyd and Grandma Briggs they all got a basketball banker and 2 basketballs and they got a whole bunch of cute clothes. From Uncle Wade they got sling shots- thanks uncle wade we'll be sending the repair bills to your house, and CJ got a cute Denver Broncos Shirt. From Aunt Niki, Trey got a hunting camp play set, Masen got a lion, and CJ got a fun little push toy. Scott got his king size blanket for our bed. It is so beautiful his mom is the best sewer/quilter ever and he got a movie from his mom and dad. From his grandpa he got a gift card to Cabelas. I got a really cool digital picture frame thing you take with you in your purse, and a pair of pajama pants from Scott's mom and dad. Thanks everyone. After we opened presents we had dessert and watch a video Gene got from a relative they put a whole bunch of old pictures of Floyd when he was a kids and some old films of Manila and family back in like the 1950's. It was so fun to watch and see how much Manila has really changed and how much the family has changed also.

You gotta love her!!

This is the funniest thing ever. We were out delivery christmas presents on saturday to all of the family. Well we called Bryan and Jen to see when they were going to be home so we could stop by. They told us they were at the show and will be home around 9:00. While we were waiting for them to get home we went to McDonald's to eat dinner (Since it was already 8:30 and we hadn't fed the kids yet). We were just getting finished and walking out the door, Bryan, Jen, Kade, Maddie, Breanne, Jade, and Logan came walking in. Jen said How are ya, where did you go for dinner. We were standing in the middle of McDonald's and Scott had a McDonald's cup in his had. I have never laughed so hard in my life. Jen asked if we would just forget that she said that, because it was a major blonde moment. We love your guts Jen. We just never know what your going to say or do next. That is why we love ya so much.

SEP Conference

Today was Trey's SEP conference. I was really curious to see his progress so far this year. I have already seen a huge improvement in his numbers, letters, and being able to read more words. He was doing great in all the areas that they are suppose doing and ahead in some of the other areas. There was just one thing they had a problem with. I guess Trey and a bunch boys at recess are playing hunting games and making fake guns with their hands and hunting animals. I didn't know this until I went and met with his teacher. I didn't really think much of him doing this at school because he is always doing this at home. Not thinking it was a big no no at school. There is another rule at recess is that they can't wrestle with each other. They can play tag but they can't physically grab each other. So they have been getting in trouble at recess for this and it is carrying onto the bus and into the classroom after recess is over. So we have been trying to get him to quit this behavior but I guess they can't be boys anymore at school. I just thought that is what boys do.

Cj's first bath

I was so excited to give CJ his first real bath in the sink. It was about 2 weeks after he was born his belly button thing finally fell off so we were able to give him a real bath. He loved it so much. He just laid there and enjoyed the warm water. I can't believe how time is going by so quickly. I can't believe he is already 2 weeks old.

Attack of the clippers

Masen, Masen, Masen you just never know with him. Scott and I were getting ready to go pot bowling on Saturday. My mom just came up to watch the boys. The boys were in the shower (so I thought). Trey come running out of the bathroom to tell us Masen had the clippers. So I went into the bathroom and sure enough he did. I left them out on the counter because the battery was completely dead on them, because I tried using them earlier that day to trim up the back of Trey's hair. They were so dead I couldn't even get them to turn on. They had just enough juice left for Masen to buzz the top of his head clear to the scalp and the side of his head. So we weren't able to fix this unless we buzz his whole head as short as where he buzzed it. I love the kid to death and wouldn't trade him for anything, but I wish he would get out the mischievous stage.

Charlie J (CJ)

Charlie J Briggs (CJ) was born on Election Day, November 4, 2008 at 9:48pm. He weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and 21 1/2 inches long.

We went to the hospital at 6:30 am to have the doctor start me, because we were afraid he was going to be a big baby if I went full term so he started me two weeks early. (which I am glad he did). We got to the hospital and they did the IV and got me all situated and then about 7:45 they started the drip. When they checked me at 7:30I was only dilated at a 2. I thought it was going to be a quick delivery, because with Masen it only took me 6 hours to have him. Well I was in labor all day long. They checked me again about 3:30 and I was only at a 3. Which I was really disappointed. The nurse said that when Dr. B comes and I have progress anymore he is going to send me home and try again tomorrow. I was really stressing then because I wasn't about to go home. So Dr. B was almost to the hospital about 4:30 and the nurse check me and when I sat up after he checking me, what I thought was my actual water breaking, but it was called a fore bag (it is where some of the water seals off and makes its own pocket.) I was so glad becuase I knew I was there for the long haul. But I was still at a 3. Dr. B said it was probably going to be 8 or 9 more hours. I was so tired by then but I was so excited to see what our little guy was going to look like. Finally about 6:30 Dr B came and checked me again before he went home and I was at a 5 and he decided to break my water. Yea finally I will progress alittle faster. He came back about 9:15ish and checked me again and I was at a 7. So my mom and Jen went home to do some stuff because we thought it was going to be another couple hours. I had the nurse check me again about 9:40 and I was at a 10. I asked the nurse if there was any possible way to wait until my mom and Jen came back. So Scott called them and told them they had about 5 minutes to get back to the hospital. They made it on time. While Dr. B was getting his get up on. We were all laughing and joking about the bets everyone made about the times the baby was going to be born. Jen had 9:37, Peggy had 9:45, Scott had 10:15, The Nurse Becky had 10:35, My mom had 10:45, and Dr B had 11:15. So it was 9:45 and Scott told Dr. B that he was the next one to win the bet. Dr. B goes well then I will take my time getting ready then. Lone behold I pushed maybe twice and the baby was here, Dr. B barely had enought time to put his gloves on the catch. He came really quickly. He was the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.
Scott, my Mom, and my sister Jen was in there. Jen was going to take pictures of the baby after he arrived so we could get those first moments of him. Thanks Jen!!! After they got me cleaned up my boys were able to come in and see the baby. They fell in love with him as soon as they seen him. My Mom and Dad, Peggy, Wade, Niki, Max, Craig, Liz, and Jen were all there at the hospital to see CJ for the first time. I love my family to death becuase they are there to support me. Everyone in the hospital was asking me if I was going to name CJ, Barack because he was born on the day he made history of being the first elected black president. I am really thankful he was healthy and so perfect.