Christmas Day

Our Christmas morning was perfect.  We were, of course, woken up super early by very excited 'Littles'.  They couldn't wait to see what Santa had left under the tree.  Santa went out of his way this year.  Guess 'The Littles' were on the nice list.

'Munchkin's' pile.

'Mister's' pile.

And 'The Boy's' super hero filled pile.

They were so anxious to come downstairs but waited patiently with Daddy while I made coffee.

Of course, they ran to their piles with such excitement and joy.  I just love watching their little faces light up on Christmas morning.

'The Boy' tore through his stocking first.  I love that he does this because that's what I did when I was little.

'Munchkin' ran over to her side and begged to be put on her new bike right away.

And even 'Mister' crawled right to his pile and started playing with his new learning cube.

Brothers.

Matching pj's.

Opening my gifts from 'The Littles'.  They picked out their own gifts this year.  'The Boy' gave me an apple slicer and an avocado slicer.  'Munchkin' gave me a Minnie Mouse coffee cup.  And the three of them gave me an old fashioned popcorn maker.  I love it all!

'Mister' took a bottle break.

'The Boy' helped me open my new bike!

'The Hubs' opened a bunch of new running clothes and gadgets.

I love how 'Mister' is looking at 'Munchkin' on her bike.

After we tore through our presents, I made a quick festive breakfast.

'The Boy' barely took his eyes off his Kindle long enough to eat.

We went to Gigi and Pop's house for lunch and dinner and hours of present unwrapping.  I did not get a single picture.  Bad Mommy.  But a wonderful Christmas day.

 

Christmas Eve

We had a pretty mellow Christmas Eve day.  We lounged in our pj's all morning.  The calm before the crazy Christmas storm. 

We tracked Santa, like, every ten minutes.  'The Littles' were so excited for his arrival.

 

We got ready to head to Mimi and Papa's in the late afternoon.  We always spend Christmas Eve with 'The Hubs' side of the family.  'The Littles' were all excited to exchange gifts with their cousins.

 

In their Christmas best.

We had a great time.  'The Littles' opened presents from Mimi and Papa and exchanged a gift with their Secret Santa cousin.

'Munchkin' crashed out in her new Ariel dress that she wore from the moment she opened it. 

'Munchkin' stayed asleep for the night and 'Mister' drifted off on the way home.  'The Boy' was wide awake and ready for prepping for Santa.

Awful picture of sprinkling Reindeer food on the lawn. This was very important so that the reindeer would not accidentally miss our house.  Like Santa would miss us.
 

I read 'Twas the Night Before Christmas.  'Munckin' picked out my leopard Santa hat.

And in the wee small hours of the morning, Santa came.

 

Holiday Happenings

I did some Christmas shopping with these elves.

My mom and I hosted another beautiful table at our church's women's Christmas brunch.

I love my new Christmas sign.

Stayed up late addressing Christmas cards.  This year they were perfect and I sent them out way before Christmas day.

'The Littles' loved playing Talking Santa.

'The Boy' and I had a special date and saw Gigi's choir performance.

He gave a little impromptu performance during intermission.  The program was his choir music.

We took 'The Littles' to see some Christmas lights and this is what happened to every single one of them.

'The Boy' and I worked hard to make treats for his classmates.

We got to attend 'The Boy's' adorable Holiday show at school.

They sang Jingle Bell Rock and Feliz Navidad.

He did a great job!

He is such a ham!

We got to eat Christmas cookies and drink hot cocoa with him after the show.  I love his school!

We did some holiday baking with Gigi.  'Munchkin' wore her new pj's because she loves them so much.

Gigi helped 'The Boy' and 'Munchkin' decorate their gingerbread houses.

I hosted appetizers at our house for an Ugly Sweater Progressive Dinner party.  So much fun!

All of our ugly sweaters.

I even got to see my favorite Christmas movie, White Christmas.

Merry Christmas!

 

At Ten Months

'Mister',
You are such a big boy!  Already ten months old and losing so much of your baby-ness.  You spend much of your day speed crawling around the house after your brother and sister.  You want so much to be a part of everything they do and they love playing with you.  Soon enough, you'll be running after them.

Your smile is just the sweetest and I look forward to it each and every morning.  I don't even mind all the teeth coming in.  Although, I do miss the toothless grin.

You are the worst teether...up all night, fevers, screaming, and just plain miserable.  And they just keep coming!

You are such a good eater and are so willing to try whatever I put in front of you.  You love sweet potatoes, tomato, eggs, chicken, pasta and homemade blueberry muffins.

Watching you this Christmas has been delightful.  On Christmas morning, you danced for the very first time as one of your toys played a song.  You we amazed by the lit up tree and the stockings helped you to discover the fireplace and that it is a great spot to hide toys. 

You had your very first sleepover and it was a big one.  You have been sleeping through the night for a bit and so Mommy and Daddy took a little trip for a few nights.  You loved spending the weekend with Mimi and Papa and Gigi and Pop.

You had a cold this month and it was a doozy.  I hate watching you so helpless but love that I get nonstop snuggles.  And you finally say mama!!!  Couldn't have been a better month.

Disney Holiday

We took 'The Littles' on a surprise trip to Disneyland.  We hopped in the car on rainy morning with our bags packed in the trunk.  They asked where we were going and we just told them "you'll see".  They all napped on the way there and didn't wake up until we pulled into the hotel parking lot.  'The Boy' said, "I know this hotel!  It's next to Disneyland!"  It had been a couple of years since we had stayed at that hotel but we couldn't fool him. 
 

In the lobby at our hotel.  They were so excited when we handed them their ears and told them where we were going for a couple of days.
 

'Mister' is getting into the whole hotel thing.

We met up with Uncle Dane and Aunt Janelle and 'The Littles' had a blast running around Fantasyland with their cousins.  Calli and 'The Boy' held hands on the carousel.  So sweet!

Me and 'Mister' in the freezing cold.

Look, ma!  No hands!

"Driving" in Toontown.

I love these crazy kids!

'Mister' took a snooze while 'The Hubs' took the kids on a ride.

Tractor riding.

These two cuddle up in the same stroller seat and fell asleep at the end of the night.  I can't wait to show them this one when they are older.

'The Hubs' and I drank hot cocoa and watched the fireworks.  'The Littles' were beat and they all slept right through the show.

The next morning, 'The Hubs' had a conference call that he couldn't get out of.  So he stayed at the hotel and I braved the park with all three of 'The Littles'.  It was not easy but seeing their smiles made it totally worth it.

Small World.

I was able to take them on three rides and we saw a bit of the Christmas parade.  It was a huge accomplishment.  A guy in line behind us told me I was his hero.  Haha!

We reunited with 'The Hubs' as soon as his call was over. 
We ate a picnic lunch and did a little shopping before heading home.  It was exhausting but the perfect way to get in the holiday spirit.