Merry Christmas!

"For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:11)

Christmas was a very busy day this year!

We woke up to see a hallway full of presents from Santa... for 5 little kids who had not a clue where to start!

Then a visit from Grammy and Uncle John and Aunt Kathy. And, lots more presents to open of course.

Then, it was off to see lots of other grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins... with too many presents to count!

We were all exhausted at the end of the day but thankful for a great day overall.

Thank you to Brendon, Kaylee, Alyssa, Riley, and Aiden, for sharing a whole lot of excitement with us and brightening up the day. :-)

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we went to Tony's parents house to have dinner and exchange gifts. The big hit of the night were the new princess hoodies and light up boots that the girls received from their Abuela and Abuelo. They have been wearing the boots ever since (even with their pretty holiday dresses). :-)

Aiden opened up just one gift and spent the rest of the time trying to eat the wrapping paper.

The girls showing off their new princess gear

They come up with these poses on their own
Aiden was happy hanging out on Abuela's lap

My First Christmas in Heaven

I received this poem from a very good friend who thought that I might like it. She was wrong. I loved it.

I share this for my brother and for my best friend's father, who was like a second father to me. I am a better person for having the chance to be a part of your lives. I hope you are having a wonderful first Christmas in Heaven.

All my love.

MY FIRST CHRISTMAS IN HEAVEN

I see the countless Christmas trees, around the world below,
With tiny lights, like heaven's stars, reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular, please wipe away that tear,
For I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear,
The sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas Choir up here.

I have no words to tell you, the joy their voices bring
For it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me.
I see the pain inside your heart, but I am not so far away

We really aren't apart.

So be happy for me dear ones. You know I hold you close.
Be glad I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I send you each a special gift from my heavenly home above.
I saved you each a memory of my undying love.

After all love is a gift, more precious than pure gold.
It is always more important in the stories Jesus told.

Please love and keep each other, as my Father said to do.
For I can't count the blessings or love He has for each of you.

So, have a Merry Christmas and wipe away that tear.
Remember, I'm spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

Daycare Christmas Party

36 Weeks Old!!

Happy 36 Weeks Chunky Monkey Baby!

The big news this week is that you have kinda figured out the crawling thing. You don't go full steam ahead yet but you are working on it. You know how to move your arms and legs and try to get going. It won't be long before you take off! This morning I left the room for one second and you had inched your way over and pulled the tissue paper out of one of the gifts. Hello Trouble!

We are not ready for it but we are very excited about this new achievement all the same!

Love,

Mommy

Capturing Memories

Lots of posts today. I guess I am trying to catch up for the past few weeks.

This year I wanted to dress the kids up in their holiday outfits and take pictures by the beautifully decorated Christmas Tree. I had plans... I really did.

The tree is up and has lots of pretty lights but no decorations. We may get to that by the time Christmas day rolls around. Or maybe we will leave it this way. It actually works out pretty good for us. I still get to enjoy having it up and the cats can freely climb to the top without breaking any ornaments. :-)

And, the kids are not really into the idea of posing for pictures (even after a lot of bribery). They didn't want to dress up and they surely didn't want to pose by the tree the way I would want them to.

But, they did let me take their photos the way they wanted them taken. They let me capture a little of their personalities...

Of Aiden's constant happy smile...

Of Kaylee's impeccable fashion sense
And of Alyssa's cuddly nature

I am just as thankful, if not more, for these photos than for any fancy ones we could have taken.

Love you guys!

HoHoHo Merry Christmas!

My dad and I took the kiddos to see Santa the other day. This was their very first visit to see Santa. (yes, I admit that I am a very lazy mommy!)

I was a little worried how the kids would react since the girls seem to have an extreme fear of anyone in costume.. including Chuck E Cheese and Red Robin. Luckily, they were thrilled to finally meet Santa and to sit on his lap. They announced that they wanted princess barbies with ponies and he totally won them over when he offered them M&M's at the end of their visit. All I heard on the way home as how Santa said "HoHoHo" and gave them "candy, candeeee mommy!"

Aiden did okay too. His eyes were pretty big as he looked back and forth from me up to the big white beard but he didn't cry at all. I think having his big sissy's close by helped out a lot.

Here is a somewhat blurry photo of our visit but a great memory nonetheless.

Can't hide the evidence!

There's nothing better than a good Daddy, except a good Daddy who likes to sneak you CHOCOLATE!!


If Aiden could talk... he would be saying "YUM, YUM, YUM!"

Snow And Lions and Tigers and Bears... Oh My!

I learned two fun things about my girls over the past weekend.

They love playing in the snow just as much as my brother and I did growing up.

And...they love "The Wizard of Oz" just as much as I do! Much to the dismay of their Daddy, who knows it will be gracing our tv screen many, many times over the next few weeks!

Hope everyone enjoyed the snow.