Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve candlelight service was beautiful again this year.  So wonderful to have all five of us together. Luke belted  the carols much to the delight of all those around us. Plus, nothing us caught fire during the last song. Although the young girl in front if us was very worried about her hair....probably for good reason.

The stockings on Christmas Eve with cookies and eggnog and then off to bed. Mary may have enjoyed too many cookies because she helped Daddy and I put all the presents under the tree. She was very sweet and only untied a few ribbons.

Even Zion got some stocking stuffers.

Cinnamon rolls, reading the Christmas story and presents. Such a special time. Luke handmade my present this year . Probably my favorite, although I think he might rope Daddy in to help when I redeem my groupon.

Love it!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Before and After

Christmas cookies round 2....who knew kids could eat so many cookies.

And after:

Now we are ready for Christmas Eve.

Dada

Someone grabbed my hands and had me help her walk to daddy last night...and as she walked it sounded like she said "Dada".

Guess who has daddy wrapped around her finger?

This girl.

Mary's first Christmas

The days leading up to Christmas this year have been full of anticipation and joy in our house.  Kind of how I always hoped we would celebrate the advent season, but never quite "got it right".

Maybe because it's Mary's first Christmas (every time I say that I tear up a little) or because I now have 6 years of Christmas with kids under my belt, but somehow this has felt more like Christmas this year .

Here are my secrets:

1. Have a sweet baby to snuggle for her first Christmas.

2. Have adoring big brothers who are mostly interested in what to get the baby instead if their own wish lists. Mostly.

3. Get all Christmas presents shipped out early. Fewer lines and less stress.

4. Have your precious children make most of the gifts. Really helps them focus on giving and thinking of others. (Downside: they are 5 and 6 year old boys....these creations are interesting at best.)

5. Recieve adorable Christmas angel ornaments from your sweet sister-in-law. Love our newest addition to the tree.

6. Remember the true reason we celebrate. Happy Birthday baby Jesus!

Random Friday Musings

Our house is all sorts of Christmasy. Love this time if year!

Mary's new favorite pastime, and guaranteed to give you at least 20 minutes to get ready, is emptying Daddy's wallet....watch out Daddy!

We had so much fun visiting the cousins and Aunts and Uncles and Grandparents for Thanksgiving. Quite a whirlwind of a trip...but so worth it!

We even were introduced to "rainbow birds". James was totally mobbed as the first one in, and still shutters at birds flying overhead.

 This picture is of Luke, with maybe half of the birds James was covered with.

Mary is 8 months. How is she so old?  Cherishing every baby kiss and snuggle.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours !

Being a domestic goddess is over rated.

There I said it.  All to often I hear how amazing it is that our house is always so tidy.  Or at least I used to hear that a lot.  Now that I have three adorable tornados at my house, life is a little different.  My "the house must be tidy all the time" attitude has been slipping.  Don't get me wrong, I still shove stuff into closets and run around my house like a crazed cleaning machine right before people come over.  Doesn't everyone?  Isn't there a universal rule that you never open someone else's closets.? In my house you are guaranteed an avalanche every time.

This is what my house looks like most of the time:

Because....you know....these little people have to eat. A lot.  Especially the boys who can crush an entire pizza between the two of them.

And then there are the random accidents on the furniture, pictured below.

Good thing my couch covers wash easily.        This is after I asked the kids to pick the toys up.  "What mom, there are no toys on the floor just like you said!"  Guess I need to be more specific.

But you know there is a freedom to be had in letting go.  A messy house is always just 30 minutes of free play away. There will always be dishes or laundry to clean.  But the sweet baby girl and boys that think I am still cool....

Look mom, I'm a water buffalo!

These sweet kids will only be young for the blink of an eye.  I love that Mary is teaching us all to relax a little.  The messy house can wait....it's time to hug these little blessings.

Please excuse the mess.

Candy Corn Bribery

Instead of waging a battle over what to wear this morning I told the boys if they made a choice to wear a collared shirt they could have a candy corn.  Just one is a big enough incentive because I didn't hear a peep until they came downstairs looking like this:

They are so handsome. Love them in a good rugby shirt.

Luke ran into the kitchen and came back with checks full of candy....and announced with a smirk " I took 5".  Looked like more then that!

Meanwhile James totally oblivious to his brother's thievery asks "may I please have 2? I would like one pumpkin and one candy corn."

These boys are so different.  It makes life fun!

Morning Stories

So sweet!  Although notice how far away he moved the book so she won't grab it. Smart guy!

Monday Funday

You know you have a good friend when she lets you and your children come over for an all day play date.  Not only are her children lovely and so sweet, but her Chick-fil-a has a play area. Oh, and for snack you get ice cream.  They are already asking to go back.

Why yes they had ice cream for lunch and snack. Heaven!

Vampire bats in the playground.

Sillies!

More sillies.

Don't you love fall in Virginia!  The walk to the playground was beautiful.  But my walking buddy was the best part.  This girl is pure sunshine and spunk !

Next time I promise to get pictures of our littles!