Christmas & After

Waiting at the top of the stairs for the "go".  There is a definite 7am or later rule here.

 real camera "selfie" with Daddy

(I never thought Peter & Lily look especially alike.  

But this baby looks like both of them- especially Lily through the eyes.)

 P&L ran right past their piles to look under the tree but nothing- haha.

 I think we are all OK with this guy stealing the show.

Its still surprising to me how much Peter (esp) & Lily adore him.

We enjoyed a nice family walk and then all napped that afternoon. 

Our kind neighbors gave Peter & Lily a cookie decorating kit.  So Mike got to it with them.

I am not a cookie making mama.  Its too much, I can't handle it (& we've never had an overly great set up for it).  So this kit was so perfect!!

Benny is now over the moon for his Daddy.  Over Thanksgiving break, Mike ended up taking the three kids over to his parents house while I finished up getting ready.  Ben definately has some separation anxiety and looooves his mama. Because Mike was the most familiar person there (his siblings families), he only wanted Mike and has loved him ever since.  He has a definite groan (ugh) that he does when Mike is nearby to signal (ugh, why aren't you holding me?!) & reaches his arms out.  He is quite taken to be this close to Mike in the backpack (& babywearing pics to come-first time for Mike!).  I think Mike equally enjoyed the extended time over break to hang out with Ben & cuddle our last/bonus baby. :)

 Does that look amazing or what?! Its Winter Break. Eat your heart out!

 They each decorated one for themselves then it was on to more of a production line.

 My parents came and stayed with us on Christmas night.  It was fun to have extras in the house.

The next day Mom and I went shopping (just for fun) and the men took the older kids to the science museum.  Loved these pics Mike took.  I think this is a social media thing. :) 

 That weekend, the baby and I were both a little under the weather with a fever, so Mike and the older kids ended up with a day at the Farm House.  I think they had fun!  :)

Christmas Eve

We spent the morning at Mike's parents for gifts and brunch.

Peter got Legos and Lily got art supplies (their favorites!)

 Benny got this cute snowman book that was a favorite of Peter's when he was a baby.

 As close as it gets to a family picture

 Benny got a travel bag (the big kids also got one for their first Christmas- exciting, I know- but oh so practical for years to come.

 We enjoyed our church service with Mike's parents.  And I remembered praying to live along the corridor that we now live last Christmas after that service- & Mike told me I should pray for things more important- so we did :).

We ordered eggplant parmesan from a nearby Italian restaurant and enjoyed it that eve at our house with Mike's parents.  It was quite lovely.  The whole day felt quite relaxing, luxurious, & quiet to just be together with Mike's parents.

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That night we set out "Santa"...

The kids got quite "boring" things from us but had gotten exciting things from Mike's parents and family. I was surprised at how much they still liked it all.

Each got snow bibs & boots (after last year of making do), a gymnastics class (at the same time!), a "toy" (science experiment kit for P & pom-pom making kit for L), and books.

Peter's:

 Lily's:

Jamin's:

More to come...

Our Littlest Elf

Yes, nothing new to say.  He kills me with his cuteness!!

In Search of Sunshine

We went out the afternoon that school got out to one of our favorite parks.
I wanted to just be in the sunshine (the winter body aches/stiffness is already setting in).

It was so nice to be out with them!  It felt like old times before our schedules were so clogged up with school.  (We love school too, just saying...)

 It was SO cold but they just don't care.  They had to do the playground too! :

We were so looking forward to break!  And its been so nice so far!! :)

Christmas Week

Writing thank you cards/notes for their teachers before Winter Break...

(this scene made me happy!)

We took them out to the "$5 store" over the weekend to get gifts for each other.

I love it about Peter that he is always so drawn to the books.

A little mini brunch with the kids.

 Lily & I made cookies for neighbors.

 She made the "tags" for the bags.  

Then she and Peter were my little elves and delivered them to neighbors.

The elves making deliveries in the rain.

It is so wonderful to be in a real neighborhood.  

Thankful for our new little "village" of neighbors.

This afternoon we went to the library. 

It was so nice to be out of the house and just have time to be with them.

 She & I did some reading.

 Then Peter's turn! :)

I remember the years that the library just seemed so hard.  It really is SO easy now (at least until the baby gets mobile). Yay!