Christmas Morning

And, finally, we have Christmas morning!  And what a morning it was!  Emily was thrilled that Santa brought her the Lego Friends house that she wanted.  One of her other favorite gifts was a huge world map.  We have a budding geographer and couldn't be happier!

Christian's favorite gifts included a new Hot Wheels racing set and the most wicked looking Lego Hero Factory action figure we've ever seen.  (He even rides a motorcycle!)

 Kari and Cubby received matching super hero clothes; Cubby some much-needed new pj pants and Kari a super-girl shirt complete with pink tu-tu skirt.

Kari loved her new gymnastics mat and leotard (both in pink, of course) that Santa brought.

 Juliana enjoyed her gifts too.  Her little play gym that turns into a mini-slide.

 ...and Kari enjoyed "helping" her open her other little gifts.  Isn't she a thoughtful big sis?

 I think one of Cubby's favorite things about Christmas is the putting together of all of the toys!  Christian got a few Lego sets and Cubby's just a great big kid at heart and loved putting them together!

  After naps, we headed over to my mom's house for (what I think is a new tradition) of Christmas Day pizza for dinner.  Easy and yummy.  We got to open up more gifts...here come the pictures....

Emily can play Christmas carols now--such a treat!

 Kyle, opening up the Lego VW bus that Erin, Cubby, and I got him (notice a Lego theme this year??)

 Auntie Erin, keeping Juliana entertained and happy!

 Christian, showing off his "snake shirt."  (Can you see the fangs??)

 A kiss for Gpa Harvey from Miss Kari...

 ...and a hug from Christian!

Kari, sporting her new princess Aurora dress, hair clip, butterfly towel, and ice skates!

 And here's Juliana, enjoying her little gift!

 "So big!"

 And here's Great-Gma, opening the gift from us grandkids (Erin, Kyle and I)

 This is what we got her--cool, huh?

 And, finally, a good time was had by all...can't beat a good horsey-back ride!

 It was a very merry (and slightly) crazy Christmas!

A Christmas Story

One of my favorite things about the holidays is when TBS airs 24 hrs of "A Christmas Story."    Cracks me up every.single.time.  This year, we were watching the part where Ralphie's dad knocks the nuts and bolts out of Ralphie's hands.  As you all know, Ralphie says, "Oh Fudgggggeeeee.....Only I didn't say 'fudge.'"  Yes, you all know the part, where he says the "F-dash-dash-dash word."  So, as this part came on, Emily and asks, "Mommy, what did Ralphie say?!"  I told her he said a really bad word that no one she knows ever says.  She then leans over and whispers, "Did he say 'fart'?"

"Yes, Emily, he said fart."  Phew!  Dodged a bullet on that one!

Christmas {Eve}...At Last!

At long last, I am finally getting around to posting about Christmas!  As per our tradition, Christmas Eve was spent out at Great-Grandma Carolyn's home.  Always lovely, delicious, and full of memories of Christmases past.  (After all, my Grandma has been a part of almost every Christmas I've ever had!)

It was Juliana's first Christmas and, as far as I could tell, she really enjoyed it!  The other children, of course, had fun playing with their extended family members and opening up a few presents as well!  I think I will just let most of the pictures speak for themselves; I was very pleased with how many little moments I was able to capture.

Okay, so the next three pictures are in a bit of a sequence, so I will explain.  Like so many others, the children get the traditional Christmas Eve pajamas.  Kari was so thrilled with hers (softy pink princesses), that she decided that there wasn't a moment to lose and had to strip down and put them on.  And, really, who wouldn't want to put softy pink princess jammies on asap?!

Opening said pjs

Time to change!

Pjs are on..now on to puzzling with Auntie Erin!

If only it were that easy to get her to put her pjs on every night!

Emily received a Lego Friends set and got right to work.  Seriously, I've never seen the girl so focused. I LOVE Legos!

It was a wonderful Christmas Eve.  We are so very fortunate to have my family so close-by.  I love creating memories with the entire family!

Happy Birthday, Kari!

It's this sweet and sassy little lady's 3rd birthday today!  And, although I have yet to post about Christmas, I certainly couldn't postpone Kari's birthday post!

Kari brings us so much joy.  She is our girly girl--very fancy and into all things pink.  If it's feminine, then Kari will love it; dolls, dresses, princesses, hair clips (well, headbands in her case), lip gloss, ballet, skating, and gymnastics.  Kari loves them all.

As dainty and demure as she may appear, don't let that fool you!  Kari is feisty, and pretty scrappy too.  She has no fear when it comes to holding her own against her older siblings...Christian has learned that the hard way a couple of times.  Kari's scream reaches new decibels, previously only detectable by canines.  She's usually pretty chill and easy going...until 7:00 rolls around and it's time for bed.  Then, watch out!  She transforms into quite the little teaser and "twerpazoid" as her Daddy will say.

But, if you can divert the transformation, Kari is our biggest snuggler.  She loves to cuddle up on the couch with her lovies and will just let you hold her and read to her.  It is so very sweet.

We're excited (and, I'll admit it, a bit apprehensive) about "the threes" with this one!

We love you, Miss Kari-belle!  Happy 3rd birthday!    

Latest tricks!

Here are Juliana's latest tricks--standing and jumping!

We're thinking about renaming it a "Juliana Jump Up."  Not really, but it would be rather fitting for her as she LOVES it.

Yup, she's growing soooo quickly!

Can't Forget the CAKE!

I almost forgot to post about Emily's birthday cake! 

My friend and neighbor, Bridget, is a professional baker.  I literally get giddy anytime she brings baked goods over b/c they're always delicious.  So, as a special treat for Emily's 8th birthday, I asked Bridget if she would be willing to make Emily's birthday cake! 

Bridget had Emily come over one day for her "cake consultation."  Emily knew exactly what she wanted--she was very specific.  (No surprise there though!)  I had previously given Bridget a heads up on what would and would not be okay...ie--Emily could pick the flavor, shape, and decorations...but no dolphin cake and no fondant (ick).  Emily chose a chocolate cake with vanilla butter-cream frosting with big pink and blue polka dots and little black ones.  She also wanted pink piping and "Happy 8th Birthday Emily" on the top.  Voila!

To say that it "turned out" would be an understatement.  The cake not only looked beautiful, but it tasted PHENOMENAL.  Seriously, best cake I've had since our wedding cake.  Cubby's parents said it was the best cake they've ever had.  And, it was even better the second day around!  (We actually ended up having a "cake party" on Monday with all of our friends so that I wouldn't end up eating it all by myself!)




It was such a special thing that my friend would do this for us/Emily.  We were so grateful that Bridget would do this, especially since the holidays are her busiest time at work.  It really meant a lot!