The cousins are back!!

Hip hip hooray! The cousins are back (well, almost all of them....we're still missing our Rachel). One week away and we feel like someone cut off our right arm! These cousins/neighbors feel more like siblings to my kiddos.

They shared with each other what they got from Christmas. We showed them the hot tub that was delivered and almost working. There were lots of hugs, lots of smiles, lots of basketball and bracelet looming, and one tired little boy who fell asleep in this uncomfortable position. Things feel a little more normal around here.

When you chance to meet a frown...

What do you do when you've been excited and waiting all day for your hot tub to be delivered just to learn that it is postponed until tomorrow (hopefully)? Well, you head on over to McDonald's for a shake and the play zone. That will cheer anyone right up.

Sharing, A Learned Art

With all the new toys it's hard to figure out the whole sharing thing right away. The hardest ones to share this year are Mary's pin art toy (you know the one where you push your hand against the pins and look at the 3D shape it makes) and Cameron's hand held fan (also a simple stocking stuffer). We went to the gym this morning to run around, fly helicopters, play basketball, ride bikes, and drive remote control cars. We stayed there forever. Cameron was having a hard time sharing his new bike and remote control car, even if it wasn't being used, case in point...this picture of him riding his bike and noticing that Nicole was using his car. So he hopped off, parked his bike right next to me (protector of all toys) and started driving his car. Oh boy!

Merry Christmas!

What a glorious morning. The kids were all so happy and grateful for their presents it made my heart sing. The hot tub that's coming on Friday was a real surprise for them. We all went to Tiffany's for a brunch and day of hanging out and playing.

More importantly, I am feeling very grateful for this time of year and the Spirit of Christ that fills our hearts and homes.

Christmas Eve

A delicious dinner at Christine's home
Talents
Poems
The Nativity

A beautiful evening of tradition and love...

Sleepovers, play dates, and swimming

The kids are exhausted. It took them all of two seconds to fall asleep tonight. They went to bed late last night with the cousins sleeping over and continued to play hard when they went to Tiff's house until dinner. We ate, met a bunch of friends for some indoor swimming at super duper 8, came home and ate a second round of dinner. Then we prepped and headed to bed where cute little visions of fairy plums are undoubtedly dancing in their heads. I'm looking forward to tomorrow, Christmas Eve. Some good rest should prep them well. 

Sweet Siblings

It's almost time for Nicole to leave Sunbeams. She hasn't gone to her class alone much this year, if at all. If we're not with her she sits by Noah, who holds her hand and snuggles her in. On many occasions she has gone with him to his class. I tried to sneak a picture of them today. It's hard to see, but believe me, it's totally adorable.