I love list time:)

As of right now, EJ and I are also planning to get the kids all something too. Is everyone contributing to the bags or is this something just Mom is doing?

I have had a lot of fun making our amazon wish lists. I don't know how to attach a link though, so I'll have EJ help me with it. I did Bethany and Joshua's wish lists. I started to do mine and there's only a few things on there. It was hard for me to think of specific things, So here's some other general ones:
silver ball earrings
silver earrings
fun bracelets
socks
slippers
soft blankets
cooking sheet
casserole dishes
mugs
hot chocolate, I love rasberry!
little picture frames for my window sill
gift card to starbucks


Lynne, I keep meaning to write on the blog that we got the music machine and it was so funny because all I knew was the patience song that EJ sings to me, just once in awhile:) But the kids LOVE it!! Its a regular thing that is played in the car. I know every word! :) So good choice!

EJ and I are planning to get everything out to you by this weekend about plans, things to do, what we're thinking for food and just some Christmas thoughts.

Oh and just my personal thoughts with Santa. We talk about Santa and Bethany knows about him,  but we don't necessarily have all the presents come from Santa.

Santa?

The kids are so little, they won't notice who gives them gifts and who doesn't I imagine.  I thought I would just get some little things to add to the sacks that mom is putting together and not do real presents for them. 

I did want to check though, are you guys doing "Santa" with the little ones or not at all?  Now that Nadia will be 5, she is old enough to remember.  Is Santa a part of Christmas for you all or not?  I guess I'm just curious and also don't want to say the wrong thing.

I have five minutes until my German one walks in the room, so here is a quick list for me:

1. Anything from my Amazon list 
2. Bubble Bath, Lotion, Soaps
3. Candles  (Yankee or other strong smells)
4. Soft blankets
5. Sweaters (size medium) and not obnoxious
6. Beany Baby sized stuffed animals
7. Or anything you think I might like.  These are just ideas.

Lynne Here

I'm fine with however everyone else wants to do gifts for the kids, but I thought that some of the aunts, uncles, and grandparents were still planning on getting gifts for the kids (even though they hadn't "drawn" their names).  Someone correct me if I was wrong with that assumption.

I know Andy and I were planning on getting something for each kid. So they would receive multiple gifts, but not select multiple gifts unless they help us with all of them and not just the name they had drawn.  I'd be fine doing it that way, too!

Shandall here.

So, I know you already drew the names for the kids, but I'd really like for the kids to be able to pick out presents for each of their cousins. That was my intent when I said it forever ago. But I don't want to do that if you guys don't want to. I'd just like them to each have more than one gift to open and more than one person to pick gifts for. Is that okay? Or do you just want to go by the names already drawn?

Lynne & Kids' Christmas Lists

This year I found it to be easier to put together lists for myself and the kids by visiting Amazon.com and putting together our wish lists on there.  However, just because it shows as a certain way or as a certain thing on amazon doesn't mean we wouldn't enjoy variations.  For example, I put some Kindle books on there, but would take them in paperback or hardcover just as well.  I hope you get the idea.  Have fun looking and feel free to visit it often as I will be adding more and updating it as we do our shopping ;)

I will continue to encourage Andy to get his done soon!!


Lynne's List:
Amazon Wish List

Bode's List:
Amazon Wish List

Bailey's List:
Amazon Wish List

Christmas Lists

Shandall:

The Three Musketeers by Alexander Dumas (hardcover)

Mommy getaways i.e. gift cards to Subway

Single cup coffee maker (One with a carafe like this)

Torani's Butter Pecan Syrup

Lavender or Rose flavor Extract (you can find it on Amazon)

Cookbooks with lots of pictures (I'd love one about soups)

Bath and Body Works Foaming hand soap (grapefruit scent)

Large puzzles with scenic pictures

Blank paint canvases

Mandoline from Pampered Chef

Nadia:

“Beauty and the Beast” movie

The Little House collection by Laura Ingalls Wilder

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling

Water Colors

100-250 piece puzzles

Anything with princesses or pink and purple

Coloring books

Caedmon:

Go, Dog. Go! By P.D. Eastman

How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

100-250 piece puzzles
Water Colors

Nerf Foam Swords

“Homeward Bound” movie

Anything (except coloring books) with dinosaurs, cars, or knights/soldiers