365 Day 361

Bug woke up and decided it was the perfect time to put her ornament on the tree. Even before we could put her picture in it or attach a hook. She knows where it goes and that's where she decided it needed to be now.

365 Day 360

Today was the last technical family Christmas party. There were many moments that I greatly enjoyed but sharing this morning with Bug was probably one of my favorites.

 Between my natural Grinchiness and pregnancy hormones my morning didn't start off too bright. Lovely Bug didn't loose her charm and helped me out of my funk. 

Then, while opening presents from Santa (whom she thought didn't come because she hadn't looked under the tree) she actually got excited to see a box in the wrapping paper. Getting past the paper, and then the box, she discovered that she got exactly what she asked for.

One that same note, at both family parties where she received gifts I never told her to hug anyone or say thank you, she just did it herself. I would ask her who the gift was from and once she knew who gave it to her she immediately walked over to them and said thank you and gave hugs. 

Some days it's nice to feel like I'm doing okay as a parent. 

365 Day 359

This is the first year we actually talked to Bug about Santa Claus. Most kids seem afraid of him but she was so excited to sit with him and take a picture! This is part of our yearly church routine. Sadly, I didn't have the boys this year but that didn't stop us from having fun. Bug said she loved the music and the train ride the best.  

365 Day 358

Tonight was the one of our many Christmas parties with the family. Since the rain finally paused for us we chose to end the night looking at the houses on 'Christmas Street'. Bear ran up ahead with cousins (and Auntie Lissa) to see more houses than a pregnant lady and 3 year old could get to, but I got proof these two siblings had fun .

365 Day 357

We're making a lot of changes to our Christmas traditions. Making new ones, keeping old ones, changing expectations. Today is possibly my favorite one that we always plan and usually don't get to: Baking day!

Cliff made Pumpkin Rolls with Gator, Chocolate Chip Cookies with Bear, and Butterballs with Bug.

Best. Daddy. Ever!

365 Day 356

First day of winter and we got Christmas from Texas.
We love our Bert!

365 Day 351

Even though it's just days before Christmas we finally pulled our tree out of the attic. I love that it already has lights on it. Since I still don't trust our cats  around the tree (or our kids to a point) we repeated last years tradition of making a 'card tree' and leaving our ornaments in storage. Bug says it's finally Christmas in our house!

First Host

Our final Christmas for the year and I get to host it. I personally think I'm a terrible host, but since Mom was still the one actually doing the party I figured I had the space to host it. It worked out great! We had way too much food (better than not enough) and all of it was so delicious. Okay, some of it (freezer snacks) was not even close to as tasty as other things (did someone say "ribs"?) but it had a purpose and it served it well. Haha, served...  Even better, I had lunch and dinner taken care of for days afterwards. Big bonus!

There were 20 people in our house but it didn't feel too crowded or too loud. Oh, it was loud and full, but not uncomfortably so. It worked out great, the younger kids ran all over the house in and out of the playrooms; the older boys went upstairs and played on the Xbox; and the adults had two couches and three rooms to mingle through.

I've been promising a sample of my Brötchen  for awhile so I made a small batch. 12 large rolls and most of them were devoured happily. 

I almost got away without getting in the pictures. At the end of the night a camera found me.

The party was a huge success (6 hours long!) and I'm pretty sure we all had a great time! I'm so grateful to everyone for coming, bringing delicious treats (why were there no rice crispy treats left? *sniffle*), and making this a brilliant way to end the year.

One final thought. I owe Debby a huge Thank You for taking pictures for us, and another huge Thank You both Mom and Debby for having such a great party and letting me be a part of it. This was my first time hosting the whole family (or really any real event) and it was fantastic. I loved looking outside and seeing my driveway full and hearing all the kids playing in the house. It was the perfect way to end my year. 

Christmas on Christmas?

She picked out her 'sparkly' dress and
wanted to show everyone her
princess curtsy. 

After several failed dates we moved our family Christmas at Pops' house to actual Christmas. Who ever heard of such a thing, Christmas on Christmas?! Though it was out of the ordinary for Cliff and I, it was a very enjoyable way to spend the holiday. As usual, the spread of food was mind boggling and incredibly delicious! Due to lots of confusion this year, we were on a bit of a time crunch to fit in all the activities. Ronnie showed up late, and Jared had to leave early yet somehow we still got our Yankee Gift Exchange done in time. The rest of us hung out for a few more hours enjoying lunch and dinner before sleep deprivation finally hit Cliff and I strong enough that we had to wake our butts up and get off the couch to drive home before it was no longer an option.

Early Christmas

Santa's Eves visited leaving filled stockings, presents, and mandarin oranges everywhere. 

Every year we get the boys for Thanksgiving and in exchange they go to Kim's house for Christmas. Since we still have a Christmas at our house, we just celebrate it early. Luckily for us Santa sends his elves to deliver the presents the last morning they are at our house every year.

Evelyn insisted on wearing her
 "sparkly dress" this morning and I
was happy to oblige.
Here she is doing her 'skirtsy'. 

Baby Jaguar is involved in everything. Even helping
Evelyn find her presents. 

Alex got an iPhone and Isaac got an iPod keeping them MIA the rest of the morning playing the new games.













Unlike her brothers, Evelyn was very delicate with every package. She took her time opening each one up, and played with each opened toy before she moved on to open the next present.

The kids all had an awesome Christmas morning and loved all their gifts! Another successful year.

Ready for Santa

I've always wanted to try this picture, and I'm still not sure how to do it right, but I'm happy with the outcome all the same- even if it was staged.

Santa Signs

The elves came early so that they wouldn't miss the boys...