Christmas 2011

I hoped to get this in before the New Year but alas....here we are. We had a good Christmas. I was thankful that my family could come and be willing to travel and squeeze into our home. The one bathroom situation went surprisingly well and that's enough to call their visit a success! Extra special to see my brother and his son Knox (it had been a year!).

Cutting down the chosen tree.

Christmas Cactus bloom

Love this kid!

They wanted to play restaurant. E and V got dressed up and Jesse was the waiter.

My cookie helper.

Best. Snowflakes. Ever.

Loved our tree this year.

Hanging with grandpa.

Jesse completed the D.A.R.E. program at school and this was my view.

Celebrated my man's 38th.

Went for a wagon walk.

Cousin bonding.

Eating.

And more eating.

More bonding over books.

Rare family shot.

Christmas Eve at Den's parents, the girls.

J and Ethan read the Christmas story.

The cousins sang (we made them be spiritual before they could open presents).

Christmas morning.

I saw this Urban Essence du rag and knew that my brother HAD to have it.

You can see I was right.

Scooter!

Christmas PJ's.

Christmas Card Outtakes

= why there is rarely a group pic of my kids....i think if I REALLY want this I should hire a professional.

Thanksgiving Week

I was thankful that dear friend Tina watched my littlest boys so I could go to Eden's class. They had a Thanksgiving feast and she and her school bestie both were polka dot clad.

Van was the only one to help me make my pie crusts. Therefore he was the only one to get to eat dough. Still, everyone got a doo-dad.   Is this just something my family does? Never mind...I googled it.

Delivered this baby quilt to a new little man, Harry! His mom was going with a Dr. Seuss theme. I wanted it to be Seussesque, without the cat in the hat all over it.

Eden found a teeny, tiny snail in mom mom's pond.

My lovely Liz, my partner in rebellion, bucked the traditional fruit cups and made a fruit turkey. The turkey is on the right, har har har.

YES! We are building a house! Yikes! It's a family project. While the littlest ones napped the rest of us waterproofed the basement walls with pitch. A messy job but someone had to do it.

Warning: Clothes were damaged in this process.

My littlest boys on a walk....love them.

'Round Here

 I'm sure most parents will agree when I say that one of our great joys is seeing our kids enjoy each other. Sure they still bicker, but mostly they are becoming  best friends. I LOVE this.

snuggles

First Cone

that face....we have serious personality here, folks

"That was a great book mom!" = things I love to hear

Technology

 The other day Jesse wanted to show us this video that his music teacher showed his class at school. Eden then asked  (in all seriousness) if it was the same video that he watched on her laptop.

This is her laptop.

This is her "regular computer".

Does anyone else think this is hilarious? I love my kids imaginations.

Last Warm Days

 We had some beautiful fall days in October and the boys loved being outside. The especially enjoyed eating outside!

8

My daughter is now 8. Oh my. She's a joy and trip, and blessing and a challenge. I love her tons.

We had a kitty party with her cousins and two friends.  The cousins stayed the night.

On her actual birthday it was just our little fam. She requested Chinese food and there were celebratory beverages.  (In reference to my cake/cupcakes...Eden thought the cats looked sad...then I had the soft kitty song in my head but it was sad kitty instead.  Anyone know what I'm talking about?)

Why you don't see many group pics of the kids.