Christmas with Nana and Papa

After a relaxing morning and afternoon at home (plus a long nap), we loaded the car and headed to Nana and Papas to share Christmas dinner.

Cooper enjoyed green beans for his Christmas dinner while the rest of use had roast beef, green bean casserole, mashed potatoes and gravy (the most amazing gravy ever) and peas. Everyone was quite pleased and very full.

 "Are we ready to open presents, NOW?"

 An angel ornament (with her picture on it) to hang on our tree

 A mini flashlight, just like Nana

 Christmas stuffies

 New books to read

 Toys to play with

 Clothes to wear
Madi was thrilled to own a pair of toe socks and 2 shirts with thumb holes

 Pompoms from Omi

 Toy boxes with their animals

 And a ballerian tutu dress

 I am not sure what these two are talking about but it looks very serious. I can see my eldest and youngest in the years to come...

 Nana's Christmas Sparkles

It was a very Merry Christmas!

Stockings

Just a few stocking staples... (yes all the kids plus Rob get the same things in their stockings)
Something to do, something to use, something to hang, something to watch, and something to wear

Something to do
A princess coloring book

 Something to use
New Toothbrushes

 Something to hang
An ornament for each kid to hang on their tree (this year they were mini s'mores)

Something to Watch
Max and Ruby DVD
I wish you could see the HUGE grin on Lillian's face upon opening this gift. She LOVES Max and Ruby and usually can only watch it at Nana and Papa's house.

 Something to wear
Both girls asked for Mr. Jim socks (ie socks that say the says of the week). They were thrilled that Mommy could find them for all 3 kids.

 Plus an extra pair of socks with Hello Kitty on them

Cooper also got animal finger puppets- an elephant, monkey and lion of course.

Christmas Gifts

Here are a few highlights of the kids gifts.

 New pajamas and a craft set

 Tangled princesses to play with

 A dino ball toy and a new lion

 Critter furniture

 and a Critter house

 a much desired elephant pillow pet

 New clothes (a butterfly shirt)

 Markers and craft supplies

 a Daddy monkey

 First Christmas outfit and Pops childhood rocking chair

 Even Oscar got a Christmas gift- a new snowboard

Everyone was very excited by their gifts.
We were very blessed this year with the generosity and thoughtfulness of our friends and family.

Our Christmas Tree

It seems that our only true Christmas tradition is that we spend it together (and that every year is a bit different). 

This being our first Christmas at home in Indiana, I wanted it to be extra special (and drove my family a bit crazy trying to make it perfect). 

In the end it was the perfect Christmas, we spent it together and made wonderful memories. 

There were no presents under our tree until Christmas morning. We wanted the kids to experience the joy and anticipation. It was fun to see the excitement in their eyes as they climbed down the stairs. 

Christmas Eve

Our Christmas Eve in Indiana

 Dressed in their Christmas outfits, the kids dutifully posed by the tree before heading to church for the Christmas Eve service.

 Stitched with love by Mommy- matching monogramed shirts

 Then snuggled up in our Christmas pajamas (ok- monkey pajamas that we got as a Christmas gift) and ready for a quiet evening at home.

 Baking sugar cookies

and snuggled up for a movie (ironically it was the Sound of Music but it was still a family favorite).

Then off to bed to await Christmas presents in the morning.

5 Months Old: Cooper

Its hard to believe how quickly the last 5 months have flown by.
It seems like our "Little Dude" has been with us so much longer.

Cooper has really plumped up over the last month... He now weighs 14lbs (double his birth weight). He loves to roll from his belly to his back and has the most adorable giggle.

We have upgraded from a milk only diet to oatmeal and green beans. He is quite the little eater. Soon we will be trying squash.

 Its very hard to take Cooper's picture in the big chair beside the tv because Cooper is more interested in the TV (like his sisters) then looking at Mommy.

 There's our happy boy.

 Rough housing with Goober... He loves to play with his furry friend.

 Love bites... boy's best friend.

 Happy little man.

 "Little Dude and the 2 Sparkles"- the next greatest band!