Baby It's Cold Outside

Kimball went out to shovel snow and it was super windy. He came back in covered in snow and I had to take a picture. And yes, he really needs a haircut. I'm workin' on it!

Favorite Things

Mimi really took to this toy she got for Christmas. I'm not sure why, but she lays right next to it on the floor and in this pic, she's actually resting her head on top of it. She'll even run under the couch and fall asleep with it. And, of course, she thinks the Boppie is as good a place to rest as any. Drives me crazy!

A favorite Christmas moment

I'm not exactly sure why Will loved this present so much, except that he and Kimball have started reading Harry Potter together at night. He wanted a Lego game and must have just been really excited that it was the Hogwarts game. He is such a sweet boy.

Christmastime is Here!

I guess I started a tradition of having the kids open new jammies on Christmas Eve. It's kind of a Christmas present to myself because it makes for some fun pictures the next day. I struggled finding a good one for Will this year, but then there it was, Lego Star Wars. Nailed it! And the little monsters for Alex couldn't be more perfect either!

Webkins are all the rage in our house this year. Santa brought two for Will along with a couple outfits and a little poodle sister for one of Ella's webkins.

Alex even got a special doggie of his own, though it wasn't a webkin. How thoughtful, Santa! Alex named it Floppity.

Even Ian got a squishy little lamb which he buried his face into. So sweet!

Santa didn't forget Mimi, either. She was so excited to open her present. Somehow she just knew it was for her, and when it was opened she ran from toy to toy to toy with her tail wagging like crazy. It was the cutest thing!

Candy!

Getting help with Elmo slippers.

Ella got a princess castle for her mini Disney princesses. So fun.

Ian got this cute little animal train.

We spent about an hour playing with Santa's presents before moving on to family ones. It was nice to see the kids really enjoying what they got.

Will made this lego Star Wars ship that Adam got for him.

When we finally got to the other presents, Alex was so thankful, running over and saying, "Thank you" to everyone individually. He even gave Ian a cute kiss on the head for a little scarf he got from him.

It was so sweet to see them so grateful for what they got each other. Ella is opening a present from Alex.

The kids got some winter coats, which probably should've been given to them a month earlier. December was so cold!

I think Ian even had the whole day figured out by the end.

It was such a fun day. We played lots of games together and watched a movie. It's so nice to get to spend so much time together and enjoy each other's company. We got a fun family board game called Sequence. We played it a bunch and I was shocked at how good Will and Ella were at playing it. We also got a cooperative game called Forbidden Island. It took all of Kimball's and my brain power and I think we were honestly freaked out by the end of the game. :) It was a cool game, though, where everyone has to work together to get off an island that is sinking! :) Kimball also got me some super snuggly pajama pants and pretty earrings and I got him some books. (I think I always get him books.) Anyway, it sure was fun. And I really crashed the next day. Phew!

Christmas Eve at Grandma's House

So, it's Christmas Eve and I can't sleep and I'm reliving the events of the day in my mind and trying to sort through emotions, many being brought on by days and weeks of sleep deprivation, but there's something else gnawing at me, nudging its way to the forefront of my mind and I realize I really enjoyed myself today. It was such a sweet night opening gifts from siblings and grandma. Everything went well and of course there was this:

Oh yes, the little reindeer toes, too? Can't get cuter than that. And then there's the fact that Ella made a special card just for Uncle Doug this Christmas and was pretty much glued to him the entire evening. It's a far cry from needing to be bribed with a five dollar bill to give him a hug last year.

And there's Alex finding a friend to rough-house with. He was having the time of his life jumping all over Uncle Adam!

And of course there were the sweet presents from everyone.

I don't know that I've had much time to contemplate the Spirit of the season this year. I have been a little rushed and a bit overwhelmed, running from task to task. Sometimes I wonder at the purpose of buying so many gifts from everyone. Do you ever wonder why we don't take all that money and just keep it and use it ourselves for things we need? I do. But then, while I'm absorbing the events of the day I get it.

Tonight was special because of the people that were there. It wasn't really about all the gifts. It was especially poignant considering the events of the past year with Uncle Doug undergoing major surgery and many obstacles surrounding his battle with bladder cancer. And also, my mother having a stroke in late October. It hit me how special and precious the night was. It hit me why my sister started to cry when she was blessing the food! How grateful I am that we could all be together and share in the joy of companionship and love. And it hit me that the presents are just another way of saying:

Here's a present for you. You may not like it. It might not be your favorite, but I'm thinking of you.

I love you. And I'm glad you're in my life.

To all my family and friends: I am so grateful to have you in my life. It means everything. I know it can't last forever and I am so glad to have many precious memories just like these with all of you. Merry Christmas!

Waiting for Christmas

Ohhhhh the anticipation. It's just so hard to wait. What do we do to make the days go by???

Well, there are computer games.

Fun Christmas crafts.

Healthy snacks... (He's a little Wyatt Earp!)

And just playin' around the house.

I think our dog has gotten much more patient in the past few months. She actually rested her head on the dolls and patiently sat as Ella piled them on. Good puppy! :)

Can you believe this was only one day? What are we going to do tomorrow???

Getting Bigger

Ian loves sitting up and playing with his toys now. It's so cute when he reaches into the basket to dig and find toys.

more cute baby =)

We've collected a few toys over the years.

8 months old

Ian is getting so big. He loves smiling at everyone and can even handle being passed around a bit now! Tooth #1 finally came in a week ago and we're working on tooth #2 now. He is still enjoying food in purée form, doesn't take a bottle or sippy cup (we have to work on that!), and has just barely learned how to sit up really well (so nice in the grocery store). I sort of assume that with all the craziness going on around him all the time, he isn't in a big hurry to change a system that's comfortable to him. So, we'll take our time. (I just hope he's taking a sippy cup before many more teeth arrive!)

With a face like that, how can I complain?

sweet!