Christmas 2009: Round 2

We left the Tuesday before Christmas to go to Owensboro to celebrate with my family. It was so nice to have almost everyone together (we missed you, Kasey!). The kids were so excited to see each other again. They started playing immediately and didn't stop until we left 2 days later. We had planned for them to sleep together but quickly realized that they were way to excited to calm down and go to sleep. The next morning we opened presents - the kids were too excited to wait any longer!

Look at these two sweet babies! They are only 4 months apart and will have so much fun together in the next few years!


Carter's first gift - his spy goggles! He loves sneaking around the house in these.


Rane loved all the bags, bows, and paper. He loved Christmas!


Pretty girl! She looked so cute in her new shirt.


Seth and his batman car. He loves his car!


Mommy and her sweet boy!




This boy loves his jumperoo!


On Wednesday night, we went downtown to a "Winter Wonderland" event. The kids were able to ride some rides and had so much fun. Ethan was happy snuggled up in his baby bjorn.


The kids were able to sit on Santa's lap one last time before Christmas. They loved seeing him!


Christmas Eve morning in their Christmas pjs.


Craig brought some old Nintendo games and Carter LOVED playing them. He also loved watching the big boys play the games.


Katie helped the kids make cookies for Santa and Nanny was able to help as well. She came up early on Christmas Eve to spend the day with the kids. We loved having her there.


Nanny and 5 of her great-grandchildren.


Papa and Nana and their 5 grandchildren.

Our little family!


20 minutes after we left to head home. They were exhausted! All three boys slept the entire way home. It was a nice, quiet ride!

Christmas 2009: Round 1

Our first Christmas celebration took place the Saturday before Christmas at Zach's parents' house. The entire family was there to celebrate. We enjoyed a nice lunch together before the kids asked to open their presents. They had so much fun opening their gifts and stockings. After opening their presents, the kids spent the rest of the day playing with each other and their new toys.




Fighting with their new lightsabers.



Ethan rolled around on the blanket most of the time that we opened presents.


Trying to get a good picture of all the kids.


Seriously...this is what I live with every day. They are both a mess! :)


I'm not sure what is going on with these two...but I thought it was a funny picture. I think they were tired of having their picture made.

Christmas Program and Gingerbread Houses

The week before Christmas Carter and Seth both participated in their preschool Christmas program. They were both very excited to sing on stage. Carter kept saying that he couldn't wait to see the audience. It was so fun to see them both having so much fun with their friends from school. It was a very cute program!

Carter and some of his friends.


Seth (in the middle of the stage) singing "If you're happy and you know it."

Ringing his jingle bells...


Later that night we went to a friend's house to decorate gingerbread houses. The kids had so much fun and ate way too much candy!

Carter loved decorating his house!


Seth was easily distracted by the candy. I think he ate more than he decorated. :)


All the kids and their finished products. It was a great night!

December

Since it is almost the middle of December, I think it is time to update the blog with some Christmas pictures. Like most everyone, we have been so busy this month. As stressed as I have been (and it is probably more stressed than I have EVER been), I still feel so blessed. The boys are a lot of work, but they also give me so much happiness. This time of year is extra special. It is so much fun to see Christmas through their eyes. They are so excited about everything - the decorations, the lights, Elfie (who has come to visit us again this year) and of course, the presents. I just can't wait to see their faces on Christmas morning. In the meantime, I need to remind myself to slow down and enjoy it all. It really is a blessing.

The biggest blessing of 2009...what a sweetie!


On Friday night, we all dressed in our pajamas and drove around to look at Christmas lights (thanks for the idea last year Rebekah!). I made popcorn and the boys ate candy canes. They had so much fun!


Ethan is more into his feet right now than sitting up straight and looking at the camera. :)


The boys with Santa and Mrs. Claus. They all did really well...no tears! Carter told Santa what he wanted for Christmas. Seth asked him where his reindeer were and Ethan just pulled on his beard. I'm sure he was ready to see us go. :)