A Very Merry Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas SEASON.  It is so magical with children, and a loving family.  It was low key yet also full of a few busy holiday party days. Just the right mix. Each of us felt spoiled, but the best part was getting to all be together!

 Mr E played the trombone, as did all the other kids- and the biggest kid (his Dad).  They were all able to make music, and Clay still remembers how to play it from his high school band days, reading music and all!

 Every time I tried to take a picture, this boy had his finger in his nose.  

 A favorite spot, in front of the new gas fire.  I too claim it as a favorite spot.

 Matching glasses, one real, 2 geek and 1 fly.  Grandpa bought the kids these funnies and they are a hit.

 Just a sweet picture, Cousin C has that porcelain doll face, and Grandpa & EE are peeking in the background.

 Classy tux shirt, and geek glasses. My Boy.

 An explosion of presents on Christmas Eve, and a few excited cousins.

 Christmas morning, a rush of opening presents from Santa... can you spy his foot prints?

 THE Evelyn doll, her most wanted gift.

Team work until they are all opened!

Beauty

My Beauty.. I love her so.
  My other Beauty, I love him too! He is the little mischievous one, he has been busy.  He dropped another toy in the toilet. If it falls in, it goes in the trash- I don't care what it is.  He built a "bra" out of tinker toys.
  Both these kids slept till 9:30am today, more than 13 hours of sleep.  That is the latest EVER. Off to wrap presents, I am officially done shopping. xo

It's beginning to look a lot like..... WINTER!

 This picture cracks me up, mostly it has to do with the mustache that took over Clay's face during "Movember."  Elliot was repelling down the wall, making Auntie T a little nervous.

 Best Thanksgiving this year.  Seriously it was pretty much perfect.  Such a relaxing, family filled time at a beautiful house!  Thanks J & T for having us all.

 G the basketball player.  Kindergarten ball is almost painful to watch, but the kids are getting a little better and having fun.

 Someone may have been a little excited about the saw.... Being back in WA gives us the opportunity to have our choice of tree farms (this was 5 minutes away).. So we have 2 trees this year, I LOVE IT.

It snowed!!! Yes, I got snow pants, hats and jackets for the falling snow- yet didn't give them gloves!  

 Cousins and a pretty tree, makes my heart happy.

 Dance party... you just can't help but laugh at this.

 Ollie our ELF has been visiting us from the North Pole every morning.  They asked if it was really us moving him, but when he brought them each a present this week they were so excited!

 I walked back into the bathroom where E's bath was running, he is bare naked with his Darth Vader mask on getting ready to climb in.  Explanation: "I wanted to scuba dive in the tub." logical.

 We went on a fun train ride with some friends last weekend.  It was way out in the sticks, there was a banjo player who led us in Christmas Carols and even a Santa that made his way to each child's seat.

 My kids are not afraid of Santa... we have only done pictures with him once before this year and that year E was almost 1 and no he wasn't the biggest fan.  They love the guy now!

 While we got off for a stretch and chance for pictures, this girl ran the tracks (this one wasn't in service, we were at the dead end of it!)  I unfortunately lost one of my pearls Clay got me in Hong Kong.  bummer.

This week the kids got hit with the stomach flu and a quick fever, but are not recovered.  I got almost all my shopping done today on a great day out with my hubby and sister.  Loving this time of year!  Hope all of you are enjoying  this fun time.


oh and pictures to come... I cut G some side bangs last night and she looks like a total mini of her party auntie!  

THE list

This makes me laugh every time I see it... and well, we all need a laugh once in a while.  

Gabby wrote this after Elliot had just had a little bit of a fit.  In no way are we laughing at E, (he is such a tender hearted little guy) OR at G's writing (oh my, she wrote a whole 12 word sentence without help last night), it just explains a little bit about brothers and sisters. 

*Incase you can't read Kindergarten phonetics, it says "Elliot MAD. No one else, just Elliot" Meaning he was mad and this was the naughty list (see the present with the X across it).  We were all on the other list, the good list!

To the Rescue

I am so thankful to have so many wonderful people in my life who support me.  Yesterday was great, but long for all the kids and I (toddler time, no naps, early release, all 4 to the kids museum, basketball practice) Today we were still all a little run down, Gabby has a case of the snot rockets like you wouldn't believe (TMI?).  She stayed home from school.  I mentioned in a text that all kids were whining and the craft we started was not going as planned.  In the door walks my big sissy,  and she brought Christmas stickers and glitter glue- so much more on our level of crafting.  She cuddled her babies, helped with lunch and provided me friendship.  Naps for a few,  and quiet time of a Mickey Mouse Christmas show for others helped us all.  My dear husband got home from an early morning of playing basketball followed by a day at school, yet he jumped right into playing board games with 3 of the 4 kids (did you know I am not a huge fan of board games?!) and he fixed the dinner my mom sent home with me last night (I told the kids it was burgers and fries.... fresh LAMB burgers and celeriac "fries."  All local and fresh from my mom's  weekly box. Oh and she got home from work last night to me and my crew of kids and made us all a yummy dinner!)   Thank you Family for everything you do, it means the world to me! xo

jumble

There has been such a jumble of things happening around here it has been keeping me pretty busy, and entertained.   This little group of cousins on the block is so fun, silly and sweet.  There have been a few crazy moments too! I figured I should post these pictures before they were outdated or forgotten.

EE is just the sweetest thing. We all agree on that, and she gets more snuggles, kisses and tickles than any other baby around.

Mr E likes to keep us all on our toes, and laughing.  

 One rainy Sunday I got busy with some nail polish and Barbies.  Now they are never naked.

Seriously, this girl melts hearts.

Afternoon crazies.  Balloons and music kept them entertained for a bit.

 Miss EE, always trying to fit in a nap.

Cookies with your frosting anyone?  Halloween cookies, more fun to make than eat (I put them away and they never even ate them!)

Happy HALF Birthday Elliot.  3.5 and going strong!

These 2 are my everyday baking assistants.  We smell each ingredient and taste some.  They may still say that garlic went into our very favorite molasses cookies rather than ginger, but they are learning!

Halloween 2012

 Happy Halloween!  The pouring rain limited our trick or treating a bit, however I am fairly sure that both children got more than enough candy.  Elliot will try and eat all of it tomorrow (just like he tried tonight) and Gabby will tell us about each one she was allowed to eat.

 Peter Pan

Merida

 This year we actually got to dress up, as opposed to last year when we had just moved the day prior to Florida and were staying in a hotel.  Two years before that Elliot was just a baby and it was way too hot of weather for him to wear his costume.  So we had big plans for this year. Elliot kept changing his mind on what he wanted to be, for a few weeks he would say Humpty Dumpty.  Now if you have ever looked at those costumes, they are a bit expensive and even more ugly.  He finally settled on Peter Pan, and well we already owned the shirt so all it took were some green leggings.  Yesterday he and I quickly hot glued a hat together complete with a red felt feather we cut out and glued to a stick from our yard. We also made a short little knife for him to fight Hook with.  Gabby has been set on being Merida from the new Disney movie Brave.   I bought the dress months ago, it isn't one of the true Merida dresses but it was so pretty I knew she would love it.  I have developed a phobia of wigs it seems, after the past two experiences with princess (Cinderella's hair would not stay on, Ariel shed her red locks and I found it all over for a year!) wigs I decided not to buy one this year.  The problem is, no one would know who Gabby was supposed to be without the orange wild hair of the newest Princess.  Thankfully Clay had a short day at school today so I took baby EE with me and bought two different kinds of yarn.  An hour before the bus got here I got home and started cutting and gluing yarn to a headband.  It turned out to be my favorite part of the outfit!  Now the kids are tuckered out and asleep in their beds, the house is littered with shoes, wet clothes and dishes from a rushed dinner.