Merry Christmas

We enjoyed a wonderful celebration in the days leading up to Christmas.  

The kids decorated their own tree.

They sang with their classmates at school.  (video coming soon)

Mary Carol sang "Away in a Manger" in the children's choir at church.

And, in the weekend leading up to Christmas:  

We visited Nisey (Lisa's mom) for a Christmas meal and presents.

Then, we visited Gramma and Grandpa (Doug's parents) for a Christmas meal, Christmas Eve Service and presents.  Doug's Aunt Alicia and Uncle John were there, as well as Great Grandpa.

On Christmas morning, we read a children's version of the Christmas story and opened presents.  Then, we played and played all day.  

Happy Birthday, Mary Carol

4 years ago today our sweet little girl was born. I cried at her first breath and left the hospital 4 days later to begin the great unknown of parenthood. It wasn't long before she'd slipped so gracefully into our hearts.

One year later, we shared the most precious little celebration over a blueberry muffin and watched as our baby turned into a little girl.  

We watched her precious, smiling face on her second birthday.  

At 3 years old, she was so playful and giddy.

Now, she's 4 years old, ready to start another adventuresome year.  

We love you, Mary  Carol.  I don't know what we ever did without you. 

Happy Birthday, Robert!

One year ago today, Robert entered this world. It doesn't seem that long ago, but it seems I have more than a years worth of happy smiles and memories with him.

Today was really much like any other day for Robert. We've slowly come to see him as the little guy with the big smile, tiny, adorable teeth, a turbo crawler with expressive eyes and an excitement for new things. He grew into this over 12 months, but I hardly saw it happening. Tiny, helpless, raisin-like, but still adorable in his newborn ways - I have to think hard to remember those days, but there hasn't been a day this year that he wasn't different than the day before.

Tonight, as he opened his present from us, a jack-in-the-box, we watched him play. He was SO adorable. Truly a joy to watch. After we played with his present for a while, I held him and told him the story of when he was born. I proceeded to cry. Over what I do not know. I could not ask for a more adorable and happy kiddo.

Take a look with me at the last year...

Dec 7th, 2006



10 weeks old








8 months old








1st birthday


Happy Birthday, baby boy.














PS I simply could not eliminate any pictures from this evening's celebration. I loved them all, so there are plenty to look at in his new Age 1 gallery.

William is a handsome 3 year old.

A picture day

We had the children's holiday portraits made today as well as their birthday pictures.

Take a look at our Christmas angels.



You can get a sneak peek at the birthday portraits in their individual smugmug galleries, but you'll have to wait for them here until their actual birthdays.

"Is it Christmas today?"

Each morning since Thanksgiving the kids have asked this question within an hour after waking. It's difficult for them to distinguish between the Christmas season and the actual day. So, every morning I tell them that it is Christmas Time, but not Christmas Day. We haven't emphasized many of the celebrations on Christmas because we find it sweet that they are truly anticipating what they know Christmas to be. "On Christmas we get the baby Jesus." To this point, they don't realize that they will be getting gifts or that many children will wake up to half of Santa's workshop in their living room.

I imagine that this year will really be a learning year for them as they figure out what Christmas Time and Christmas Day are really all about. Here are a few traditions we are beginning this year:

1. An advent calendar. We are placing one animal or character on a nativity scene each day after we read a child-appropriate portion of the Christmas story. With a few more days under our belt, I imagine the "Is it Christmas today?" questions will stop as they finally put it all together that we have to open all the doors first.

2. Decorating the kids' tree. I love to decorate for Christmas and my very favorite part is decorating a large tree in our front room. At 9 feet tall, it's not very easy or safe for them to help decorate. But, this year I got my old 3 foot tree from college out of storage and let them decorate it all by themselves. The ornaments on their tree are ones they made, ones given to them or simply ones that don't go with the red and white of the front tree. :-)



3. Making a gingerbread house. Next week I'm planning a gingerbread house construction. I never made one as a child until I was in the high school german club. I hope this turns out to be a pleasant tradition.

I hope our children look back at this time with fondness and in time grow to appreciate just how special it is that on Christmas Day "we get the baby Jesus."

An ABC (Alphabet Birthday Celebration) Party

This Saturday was William and Robert's birthday party. We thoroughly enjoyed hosting a few of our friends and family to celebrate William's 3rd birthday and Robert's 1st. Here are a few pictures from the festivities.

A is for Arrive
B is for Build a puzzle..............................................C is for Cupcakes








D is for Diaper Derby..........................................E is for Egg Relay








F is for Friends

















G is for Games....................................K is for Knight in Shining Armour

















L is for Lunch..........................................M is for Make a Mess








P is for Presents








R is for Robert.......................................... S is for Sing "Happy Birthday"

















T is for Tired ..................................... W is for William