Christmas - part 1

As usual, our Christmas consisted of many fun, family activities. I was thinking about how great the kids did this year on our way home. This was definitely the most fun and least stressful they've been. They loved every moment - mostly playing with cousins, aunts, uncles and grandparents. They had good manners and didn't throw any major fits. They were purely joyful with each new event, gift, and place we visited. I'm sure next year will be a different story with a 10-month-old in the mix, but it is great to know we eventually get to this stage.

Our first Christmas adventure was at my sister's house where we celebrated O family Christmas. The older cousins are so great with the little ones, and the little ones just adore them! The adults enjoyed nice time together too :)

The boys

Waiting patiently to open presents

Oooh la la!

Doesn't she look so fancy?!

Andy & Will both got new light sabres

Will and GoGo

Fancy Aunt Sarah

Dad and the girls. We cracked up at this picture with Kit's camera in it!

Love Aunt Casie!

One happy girl

Ellie's Grandpa made her a window seat and delivered it this weekend. As the pictures demonstrate - she loves it! Grandma & Great-Grandma made the cushion. Eventually we'll have bookcases on either side. What a blessing to have such talented family!

Looking at the moon

Grandma also brought Ellie Kate her very own Christmas tree. Will has one for his room and when it came out this year, there was a bit of jealousy. So, of course, EK gets her own tree :) Isn't it cute?

Naturally, Will decided his tree also needed a star on top. So, we made one out of construction paper.

At last, I think everyone is happy. 'Tis the season!

Merry Christmas to me!

1. I passed my 3-hour glucose test - hooray! Bring on the Christmas cookies :)
2. New dishwasher -- the old one was in really bad shape - so excited to have this!

3. New minivan! Vehicles aren't a big status thing for me, so I'm fine with driving a minivan. The conveniences are phenomenal - makes getting the kids in and out infinitely easier and for that, I am so grateful!

Funny to think how much life has changed that these are such exciting things for me right now. But, it's where I'm at in life and I'm so happy to be here.

Christmas preparations

We had promised the kids that we would put the tree up the day after Thanksgiving. They were SO looking forward to it! We just got a new tree because sections of lights on our last one quit working. So, Friday morning, we bring the tree up to begin the assembly. We quickly realize we have 2 part D's and no part C's. This is a problem. Of course, we bought this at Target and it's Black Friday. The manufacturer was not terribly helpful. Five-year-olds don't understand why we can't put it up, when "you told us we could do it on Friday!!!!" So, J called Target just to see if they had one. Thankfully, they did. So we boxed up the defective tree, J returned it to Target and picked up the new one. He said it was amazingly quick and easy so thanks to Target for that! So, after a bit of a delay, we did finally get the tree up.

The "finished" product: (We had to do a little re-organizing. You can see we're a little bottom-heavy -- you get a pretty good idea of preschool reach.)

The next day Aunt Casie came over to decorate gingerbread houses. She had everything pre-made and portioned, so it was all ready to go. The kids had a blast! I think Elle ate as much as she put on her house, but oh well, I suppose that's half the fun!

Will's finished product

Ellie Kate's finished product

 Casie and I actually decorated some, too. But I must have taken those pictures with her camera. The kids still want to eat their houses, but I've been trying to convince them they are just for decoration.
This past weekend, we had Breakfast with Santa at church. It was cute and the kids had fun. I was shocked that Elle did so well sitting on Santa's lap! She's afraid of stuffed snowmen we have in our house, so I figured there was no way! Surprise, surprise - she did great. Will asked Santa to bring him chapter books and Elle followed by also asking for books. Santa is quite pleased with these requests :)

making ornaments

more crafting

Just a few other pre-holiday pictures. I try to take advantage when they're all dressed up (or at least have on a matching outfit!).

Finally, Charlie the Elf has made his annual appearance at our house. Both kids are really into it this year. They race around each morning to find him, talk to him throughout the day, and tell him goodnight. Charlie has gotten a little more creative with his locations this year, too.

"Baby Brudder"

Ellie Kate is catching on a little more to this baby brother idea. She still thinks there is a baby brother in her tummy, too, but for the most part, I think she's catching on to some of what's going on. The other night I had her feeling my tummy while Baby was moving. She felt a good kick and immediately pulled her hand away in fear/shock. She looked at her palm then ran to J and said, "Daddy, Baby Brudder kicked me!" and showed him her palm. It was really cute.

Will loves feeling the baby move. Before bed the other night, Baby had the hiccups so I let the kids feel. Ellie thought it was "eww, gross!" Will said I needed to take a drink of water so  his hiccups would go away. Will is very excited to be a big helper for this baby, and I really think he will be. Hopefully he won't get too disappointed in the non-interactive newborn phase.

We have the nursery all painted and the furniture moved in. I still need to clean some things out and get clothes washed and sorted. Hopefully we can get that in the next few weekends. We're about 10 weeks away now (at most). Everything is looking good. I take my 3 hour glucose test tomorrow. I was diabetic with Will, but not Elle. Maybe it's just boys. I've been having quite a few Braxton Hicks contractions, but nothing regular and they quiet down when I do. I just have to keep reminding myself to stop trying to do so much (I just don't feel like it's really that much!!). Otherwise, I have a very active little guy. I love feeling him move around all the time.

Cuddling with Baby Brother