Christmas happenings

 So, Christmas with little toddlers is nuts. However, Christmas with school aged kids is SUPER NUTS! There were class parties, presents for teachers, secret Santas, plays and tests before vacation started. Not to mention, I was in charge of the presents that the kids would give their parents in Keira's class and I'm on the Enrichment committee so I was busy with planning the Christmas dinner and baking. Then there's presents, traditions, 12 days of Christmas and Christmas baking. This may not seem like a lot for some, but I'll tell ya, my little brain was going crazy. Can I tell you a secret? I LOVED IT! I mean the whole, going mad bit isn't my favorite, but I loved that this Christmas we did what normal people do. I never appreciated the busy nothings of everyday life, until I couldn't participate in them. It feels so great to have a normal life again. Anyway, enough of my rant. On with the photos!

I love that they were angels and not snowmen or something stupid and politically correct

"Candles with their flames aglow,
Spreading warmth and cheer below"

Mrs. Lane and Caleb

 Preschool Gingerbread Houses!!

I know it's blurry, but look how happy she is to see us! SO precious!

They did "A Christmas Carol"

"Please, please! Can't you be kind, Sir?"

They sang 'The little Drummer Boy' to close. HOW COOL IS THAT?!

A HUGE thanks to my dad for giving Brian the whole day off so he could watch the kids plays and to Jonathan for coming to root Keira on (he had to work in the morning, so he couldn't come to Caleb's). We're so proud of all our big kids! They're all little Rock Stars!

Christmas dinner with the Norwalk DLCs

  When I was growing up, I spent one day each weekend at my grandparents house. Our whole big family, all together- being loud, animated and eating too much good food. Those are some of my favorite memories. Unfortunately, my amazing grandfather passed away 5 years ago last November and our (extended) family life has never recovered.  My grandmother moved in with my parents and the grand kids lives got busier with spouses, kids, careers and far away universities. This Christmas my parents hosted a Christmas dinner at their house and we were almost all able to get together (my sister. Michelle and her daughter, Elizabeth were absent). My Aunt Alicia (whom, as a side note, I LOVE to pieces!!) also came. She's my grandpa's little sister and the family resemblance to him is strong. Her mannerism and speech patterns remind me so much of him.
  Anyway, here the photos from that fun night! -- I'm missing a bunch of people, sorry!

Love you guys!!!

Violet and Sadie turned 4!!!

  ... (ahem) 2 1/2 months ago. So I'm a little tardy. What else is new? :) On top of it all, I'm missing the photos from their birthday day. I am SO bummed about that..

the post must go on, right?...
 
     So, like I said, our little girls turned 4 and I still can hardly believe it! In some ways, it's seem like such a short time ago that I was anxiously awaiting my day to hold them in the NICU and here they are now, running around, talking a million miles a minute.
    Violet (who's the oldest by 2 whole minutes and enjoys reminding her "little" sister) is my biggest cuddle bug. She probably my most obedient child at the moment (or at least suffers the least from A.D.D. :) ), loves to be the helper, and is always my assistant when bandaging Daylon's latest wound during the day. She finds a huge amount of joy in serving others and pleasing her mom and dad. She also has a bit of a feisty streak that keeps us on our toes! She loves painting, being outside, playing dress up and babies, she can shake her booty and get down with her bad self like nobody's business. She loves 'Tangled' and playing Dance Central 2 and Karaoke Revolution.

     Sadie does what she wants, when she wants to... which is both a challenge and a blessing. She can read just about any phonetic word you put in front of her (that's 5 letters or less) and can add and subtract for totals under 12. She loves books and playing outside. She loves to dress herself which is always...um...colorful, she loves animals, sports, climbing and is a total Tomboy which we think is pretty adorable. I don't know what it is about a disheveled ponytail and a baseball cap, but I love it. She does have a girly spot in her heart for anything "Little Mermaid". She has the sweetest little belly laugh and an AMAZING artist.

  Both girls love preschool, playing on the Fire, Phineas and Ferb, Bubble Guppies and playing with their siblings and their dog, Skittles and anything "Pinkalicious".

  Speaking of, the girls chose a "Pinkalicious" theme party:

Saphren, Sadie, Violet and Tori

Despite Sadie's beastly experession, she was playing with Dylan here

I love this picture Brian took of Gavin

Keira and Aleyna