Happy New Years Eve! Here's to a beautiful New Year with lots of togetherness! Can't wait! Bennett was the cutest little New Years baby. If I uploaded a few of the other photos I took, you'd see that his lips were forming the word "lollipop."
I asked Maura and Tristan to come up with some resolutions last night. They were pretty funny!
I had to subject Emerson to the same torture. She might just be a cuter New Years Baby. So sweet! Happy New Year everyone! Here's to a blessed New Year.
I had all but forgotten the gift that Maura bought at her schools "Elf Shelf" to give to her family members...but she hadn't! She reminded me tonight before bed and Tristan got to open up his last gift of Christmas, a Lightning McQueen and Mater throw. LOVE.
Instant LOVE! He has it spread of on the floor of his bedroom right now so he can look at the big picture. Guess he'll be adding this to the blankie collection!
This is the "spider web" that it took him 20 minutes to get up. At least he was still smiling.
I caught the fight in photographs. Proof postitive that it's not just Tristan that instigates things.
After time out, I had a very sulky girl who preferred to perch like a kitty on a high place and refused to come down! It was time to go...get McDonalds!
Potty training time?? I think "NO!" He does LOVE sitting on the potty, though! He especially loves getting toilet paper and poking it through into the bowl. He finished an entire roll tonight before I noticed!
We had a lazy day, spent indoors amid all the Christmas chaos, punctuated only by a quick play date with Angie and Sarah, and the delivery of dinner to a friend. The kids begged for a family movie night to watch their new version of Tangled, which they viewed from the confines of Bennett's ball house. Poor baby, he rarely gets to use the thing--it's always occupied by someone larger.
Christmas Chaos. This photo doesn't even begin to do it justice. It's so bad. It's ridiculous--I'm trying to weed out and purge while I put all the new stuff away. It may not get done until you return!!
It was such a precious gift to be able to spend this morning with you via Skype. I don't think I've ever been so happy to see anyone in my life. To be able to share this most special of days with you and our children made my day absolutely complete. To see our children hold up their gifts to share with you brought tears to my eyes. I needed nothing else this Christmas.
Bennett LOVED his ball house...
Tristan loved his Lightning McQueen CD player...
and Maura was thrilled with her Pegasus.
I was so blessed be able to receive gifts even from YOU! I love my Kindle!
Present opening lasted all day. First Santa gifts, then stockings, and grandparent gifts.
Their arms were full of blessings!
Even Lorie and Micah joined us for awhile for Emerson's first Christmas.
I love my precious ones...especially you. Merry Christmas my love. You are one of my greatest blessings.
We had a birthday celebration and cake for Jesus. Our three munchkins were so excited that I'm surprised that any of them went to sleep tonight.
CHRISTMAS!! It's a four day affair this year!! Last night was Christmas with Nan and Poppa, and tonight was Christmas with Grammy and Pappap. Tomorrow, we have a Happy Birthday Jesus party planned, then the big man himself is scheduled for a late night visit. They'll be Christmased out by Sunday...not likely!!
Bennett recieved a giggle wiggle ball from Lorie and Micah. It makes noise whenever you move it. He LOVED it. It's also quite hard, so that creates a problem when he throws it in the air. Hmm. May have to think about where we can use this particular toy!
It was complete and utter madness with the kids. They were all hyped up on sugar and up an hour past bedtime, so we eventually just put everyone in jammies, threw them in bed and proceded to open our grown up presents in peace!
Cousins are so much fun!! We had a wonderful family Christmas--but we were missing one very important family member...you!!
Grandmother came over this morning to spend time with the kids. She brought them all a stuffed animal and enjoyed sitting back and watching all the action. There was action aplenty as we had brunch together. Tristan was WAY at the other end of the table, under the guidance of Matt and he proceeded to load up a biscuit with gross amounts of jelly, help himself to blueberries, blow out the candles on the table, allow Patton to lick his hands, etc. Never a dull moment. He's been a piece of work on this trip. Tonight, he grabbed a glass off the counters and slugged a big gulp of wine before I could stop him. Needless to say, I don't think he'll be trying that again anytime soon!
Speaking of being a menace, you should have seen him on the ATV. He was completely fearless. I thought he was going to run someone over or turn the ATV over before it was all said and done!
At last, it was the long awaited present opening time. The kids have been waiting ALL DAY to open gifts! We made them take photos beforehand and they were pretty good sports, but they were thrilled to be done and get at those gifts!
There were lots of laughs, much hilarity, great food and fun at Grandmother's dinner last night. We loved Skyping with you and I think it was the highlight of the dinner. That, and your Grandmother's rendition of "Poor Old Santa." We ALMOST got it on video to post on YouTube, but Dan had some technology issues. It was a lot of fun but we missed you so much. 
Just add a little bubble bath and bath time goes from routine...
to ridiculous! No wonder we have a water stain in the kitchen ceiling !!
Brad and Emily stopped by for a few moments this evening and the kids were happy to see them. NONE of them would allow either Brad or Emily to help dress them after baths. They feigned shyness and modesty and insisted on mommy. Sigh. I guess I'm glad I'm wanted!
Wild Thang'! As I was busy with Tristan, Bennett wondered off and was a little too eerily quiet. I walked around the corner to discover a whole bowl full of TP. He was pretty sure he was in trouble. He saw me and ran!
This wild man actually scaled the horsey and got on by himself this evening and proceeded to ride that pony into the ground! I thought he was going to tip it over! Tristan helped, of course!
