Josh and Becca Thrap and Family

Christmas celebration has begun in the Thrap home.  The Wheelers came over on Friday and they’ll be here through Wednesday while their apartment is getting new carpet.  The weekend was fun; full of bbq and games and caroling and the new Charlotte’s Web movie.  Today got off to a bit of a rocky start though and I really have to buckle down because I have a lot to do this week.  My kids still have school through Friday and of course Josh has to work, but I have to prepare for our week and a half away from home.  And if that weren’t enough work on its own, my laundry is piling up so high it’s about to slap me in the face!  So, I guess I really should be going to get to work.  I’ll post more later if I finish enough stuff to give myself a break. 

BTW:  I am looking for really great recipes.  Think you’ve got one?  Post it here!  Nothing with fish or seafood please.

This is my really crazy time of year.  I know that most people are busier than usual this time of year too because of the holidays, but I have holiday preparations PLUS Elise’s birthday (Dec 5), Jacob’s birthday (Dec 11), my dad’s birthday (Dec 14), my friend Jeanna’s birthday (Dec 23), The Wheeler’s anniversary, my brother-in-law Scott’s birthday (Dec 25), the myriad of Christmas gatherings with various branches of family and friends, then New Year’s and Danaka’s birthday (Jan 3), Kate’s birthday (Jan 16th) and Josh’s birthday (Jan 23)!  And of course for planning purposes there are all kinds of other things going on to work around like my uncles b-days in Dec, Danaka’s husband’s b-day (Dec 22), the kids’ school programs, church Christmas parties (which, I was partially responsible for this year!  What a fiasco!  It was the same day that I had the kids’ birthday parties and Josh had signed us up to bring food too so after the kids’ parties we cooked and and then got everyone showered dressed etc and Josh took the kids to the nativity rehearsal and called me when I was going to be working on the bulletins for the program to say that no one there had a script so I ditched the bulletins to make a new script and copies for everyone then by the time I got to that party I had SUCH a headache!  I had to leave early.  Josh said the program went pretty well, I hope that he’s right and not just trying to make me feel better because so many people were attributing it all to me.  Thankfully, it wasn’t ALL on me and the others involved all did well.), out-of-staters coming to visit, and that’s all not even including the every day stuff like Josh’s work demands (oh yeah, and they had a holiday party too), and the kids’ school demands (like needing treats on their birthdays etc but they have to be pre-packaged and Jacob’s class has a nut allergy and Elise’s class has an allergy to corn and in case you’ve never thought about it, there is almost nothing these days that isn’t made with corn syrup or in a facility that processes nuts!!!)  Ok, so I’ve gotten a little behind here on the blog but thankfully most of the stressful part of this month for me is behind now so I can kind of just enjoy the rest of the month.  I mean, it’s still crazy busy, but there aren’t as many deadlines and most of the things I’m working on now are things I’m doing because I want to like holiday baking and gift wrapping and sending out Christmas cards.  And now thanks to the help of my wonderful family the laundry is finally being washed and put away (it was starting to take on a life of its own!) and the kids’ rooms are not exactly clean, but they’re cleaned out–and we’re making several trips to Goodwill and the kids have donated some things to Toys for Tots and we’re clearing out some of our excess ornaments for a local elderly care facility and cans to the Food Pantry so I’m feeling less overwhelmed by all of our “stuff.”  Now, if you’ve made it through this rant, here are some pictures from the kids’ birthdays.  Enjoy!

Wow, things have been non-stop since before Thanksgiving! I just know that I’ve forgotten whole bunches of things that I’d wanted to say here. To quick recap, the Wheelers came over the weekend before T-day and they stayed till Wednesday morning. We had a pretty nice time…only one or two child breakdowns. Kate and I got to work on some of our craft projects and the guys got our new DirecTV hooked up and running. We played some mean Canasta and I got my first experience gaming with Josh’s brother Jason. On Tuesday we all went to the Science Center in Des Moines. Then Wednesday evening we drove to the Wheelers for the night–I stayed with Kate out at her folks house so we could feed the horses while her parents were on vacation. Thursday we spent celebrating with Josh’s mom’s family in Shueyville (sp?). After that we headed on to Muscatine and spent some time Friday and Saturday visiting with my family and Josh’s dad’s family. And now that Thanksgiving is behind us and we are fully into December I am rushing around trying to finish plans and projects and preparations for this is truly our craziest month of the year. December 1 and 2 Josh had quarterly meetings at work and the eve of the 1st was his office holiday party. Josh’s sister Jenny graciously watched the children for us. I honestly can’t remember the last time we had real time without the children. And then on the 2nd after his meetings Josh and Jenny took the older children to see Happy Feet at the theatre. Cameron has been clamoring to see Happy Feet ever since the previews and promotions began. He is currently enthralled with penguins because of it. Yesterday we had dinner with some friends and Josh and I collaborated on a German chocolate cake for dessert. Actually, it was more a collaboration of Betty Crocker and Duncan Hines, but it was tasty! So now I am struggling to be ready for the upcoming birthdays and Christmas. Elise’s birthday is tomorrow. She wants one of us to come have lunch with her at school, and I’ve got treats for her to share with her class at some point also. I also invited the nearby relatives over for celebratory dinner in the evening. Then Wednesday is Jacob’s first cub scout meeting and afterward is the practice for the church nativity which I am in charge of arranging and making the program for. Thursday Jacob may be going to a Tae Kwon Do lesson with a classmate and then Friday is when we are having Jacob’s birthday party with his friends. The Wheelers are coming for the weekend and they should arrive in time to help me set up Friday and I think Josh (and Chris?) are going to take the girls to clean the church while the boys party. Then Saturday morning is when we are having Elise’s birthday party with her friends and Josh and Chris are taking the boys to do something with Christmas trees and BBQ–that is the extent of my knowledge about that. Then Saturday evening is the church Christmas party and nativity program. Sunday I have a baby shower which, I just may not make it to, and my dad may be coming to town. If he does then we’ll do a meal with him and honor the birth of Jacob and him. (dad’s b-day is the 14th) And definately on Monday (11th) we’re having the nearby relatives back for dinner again to celebrate for Jacob’s birthday. And of course we’ll be doing treats for school and someone at lunch for him also. Once I get through all that, then things should slow down a little. I am determined to have a pleasant and relaxing, truly meaningful Christmas vacation.