New Years Eve 2014

We celebrated New Years Eve a couple of days early to accommodate Daddy's work schedule and to be able to celebrate with Uncle Jason, who came for a surprise visit.  Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Becca also celebrated with us, of course.  ;)  We watched Rudolf's New Year, Twilight Zone, played flashlight hide and seek, and played a bunch of minute to win it games.  At 11:30, Adam woke up and joined in on the fun and at the stroke of midnight confetti fell from our ceiling fan and we all celebrated the New Year.  It was such a fun evening and we're thankful Uncle Jason could fly in from Utah to be there with us!

Emily and Molly

This little girl is a little mommy in training.  She tends to her dolls just like a little mother.  She dresses them and puts pajamas on them at bedtime.  She feeds, rocks, and sings to them.  Sh reads them stories. She takes them for walks and tends to their injuries and sicknesses.  It's so sweet to watch.

"Santa" in Her Sleigh and the Little Reindeer

Uncle Jason Comes to Visit

Uncle Jason surprised us this year by coming home for Christmas.  He showed up wearing a Gumby costume to throw us all off track.  There were hugs and tears when we figured out who it was, though and we got to spend a few days visiting.  The best part of the visit was Jason and Don singing the song, "Sister" from "White Christmas."  Hilarious!  We were so happy to see him and can't wait for the next visit!

Christmas 2014

Singing Christmas carols, making cookies for Santa, reading the Christmas Story from the Bible, setting out milk and cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer, writing a letter to Santa, talking a walk to visit baby Jesus, excited little girls jumping up and down unable to sleep, Emily and Ashley outside out door - whispering with flashlights while waiting for the time to wake us up, giggles and laughter and thank yous, playing with new toys, pajamas all day, Christmas movies, snuggles, ham loaf, potatoes, and homemade rolls, baby talking about "ho ho", 4 happy children and 2 blessed parents - this was our special day.  Merry Christmas!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas.......

Gingerbread Houses

The sweet small of gingerbread lingering in the air, Christmas music playing, laughter and chatter of sweet children, and fingers sneaking licks of frosting. A perfect evening.

Santa Train

We took a ride on the Santa Train in Nelsonville today!

Polar Express Night

After we had tucked these kids into bed a train whistle blew, loud and clear.  They scrambled downstairs and Daddy Engineer was waiting for them.  I helped them quickly get their coats and mittens on and Daddy handed them their tickets.  They piled into the "Polar Express", which was a wheel barrel attached to the back of our tractor, decorated and cozy with blankets.  They took a few rounds around the yard and then arrived at the North Pole where they were greeted by me, "Mrs. Claus", and some reindeer - Grandma, Grandpa, and Aunt Becca.  After showing their tickets, they were all invited to watch the "Polar Express", complete with hot chocolate and cookies served by dancing waiters at the coinciding time in the movie.  When it was over we told them it was bedtime.  Ashley response was, "But you haven't taken us home, yet."  So my husband, the wonderful Daddy that he is, bundled back up and took them on another ride home again.  It was such a fun, magical evening.

Stringing Popcorn

There's nothing like a relaxing December evening, watching Christmas movies and stringing popcorn and cranberries for the tree.

Grinch Night

"You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."  Mr. Grinch visited us tonight, here in Whoville.  When we closed our eyes, that sneaky Mr. Grinch took a Who and hid them and we all had to search for them.  He ended up hiding all three girls at some point and when he hid Ashley we were very surprised to find her in the washing machine!  That silly Grinch.  Afterwards we all enjoyed watching "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" and had some tasty Who pudding.

Santa Visits the Library

Jolly Old St. Nicolas made a special stop this week at our local library.  The three little ones climbed up on his knee - all except for Adam.  He liked talking to Santa but wanted no part of sitting on his lap.  But he adores Emily and would gladly sit on her lap as she sat on Santa's lap.  After we visited Santa everyone helped themselves to juice and cookies and worked on some Christmas crafts.  Alexis browsed the library and found "Great Expectations" and decided to check it out.  She fell in love with Dicken's works a few weeks ago and has been excited to try out another one of his novels.