Christmas 2007

This year for Christmas we got our kids a Wii. (I thought it would be better than the old X-box as I heard it made you get up and move. But mostly you just swing your arm a little and my kids can do that sitting down!) But rather than the frenzy of opening gift after gift we did things a little different. They unwrapped their gifts and we cleaned up and had breakfast and then I notice a little note on the Christmas tree that sent them on a scavenger hunt that lead them to a big box in a Christmas bag. In this box were our season tickets to Desert Star. (One of last year's favorite gifts and one we thought worth repeating!) They were a little disappointed I could tell but didn't say so. Austin mentioned how it's just not Christmas without a scavenger hunt. (Yes, I send them on one every year!) I then told them I was going to wrap the box back up in the bag and sit it on the coffee table in the living room so that when family came over to see what they got they'd remember their theater tickets. They just shrugged like "Whatever Mom." I then secretly put the Wii, games, and controllers in the big box. And it sat in the middle of the living room. It sat there for a few hours. (It was killing me and James! We were so excited!) Then I got out the video camera and asked them to re-in-act opening their season tickets for the camera. They were not to enthusiastic about it but after a bit of coxing I got them to do it. The following clip is them opening up their Wii! Take note of their fabulous acting skills at the first trying to act like they don't know what is in the box. Enjoy! (You may want to turn down your speakers. Rylee has a very shrilly scream!)

Our Newest Addition....

Here is our crazy life! After living in our "one bum" kitchen for seven years we are finally expanding! Why we're doing it in the dead on winter I'm not sure. But it's an adventure! I affectionately call my under construction kitchen my "Hillbilly Kitchen"! My dishwasher and sink empty in two buckets under the sink. (I've learned that you need to empty the bucket twice during a wash cycle and that when you dump huge amounts of gross water down the toilet, you don't have to flush it just goes right down!)

My husband (a.k.a. James The Amazing) works everyday on it. We hired out the foundation, framing, sheeting and roof, the rest is up to us.(Well, James mostly. I'm only proficient with the shop vacuum. Cleaning up is my job!) Demolition was dirty but fast and fun, plumbing for James is a piece of cake, but the electrical has been anything but easy. We're hoping to have our rough inspection next Tuesday. Until then, no insulation, no siding, and with temps in the single digits, it's been a bit chilly. Thank goodness for our gas fireplace that runs 24/7.

For family night we pulled up the lino. Which Rylee compared to the family night when we pulled out the deck in October. Only fun & physically exerting family nights at the Richhart home!
This is probably my last week with a sink and perhaps a stove but even with them cooking has been a challenge. Sunday I found the chicken bullion I had packed away and I cheered out loud! Yeah for me, I found it! Mostly I'm sticking to one dish meals with very few ingredients or I bbq!

My kitchen and dining room are stacked in the living room but don't worry, it hasn't seemed to hamper my children from playing Wii or watching American Idol.

The rest of the house is covered in a fine layer of dust that my children write in. Funny children.

Anyway, my wood floors were just delivered and are now sitting in the once empty dining room. (They have to "acclimate" for a few weeks before they can be laid....who knew?) They were suppose to come this afternoon but surprise, they're here this morning and me not showered or anything. Lovely.

Welcome

Hello! Welcome to our blog. I'm Wendy Richhart, wife of James and mother to Kambree, Austin, Devree & Rylee. I've created this blog to stay connected with our friends and family. This is our Christmas photo. When I was a little girl I always got a new Christmas dress to wear to church (my mom also did this for Easter) and I've continued this tradition with my family. Not a tradition that Austin cares for. (New white shirt and tie, big whoop!) So this is us before everyone rips off their Sunday clothes and puts on something more comfortable.