sledding

 Some indoor sledding practice before heading outdoors for real fun. We had a 44 degree Sunday and so we bundled everyone up and enjoyed the fresh air for a couple hours.

 We have an easement behind our house so it was perfect for sledding. Some of the neighbors have inclined yards that made for a fun time!

home Christmas 2012

 "Christmas morning" as the children wait for the parents to get everything just perfect!

 The looks on the kids faces as they see "Christmas morning" is priceless. Little Brie was amazed and just screamed "presents"!

 Christmas magic came to life in our living room and it is so worth all of the prep! It is just beautiful and we all love it.

 A quick shot of each of the kids opening a gift. I love capturing the little moments and facial expressions.

 PJ was over the moon with his cuddle up pet!

 Maggie is so thrilled to be getting the dance lessons she has been wanting for the past year!

 Brie was such a sport, she thought she really was getting a box of wipes and she was happy with that. Of course the baby that was inside the box was an even bigger hit.

 This is just a cute picture of sweet Brie cheese. I do not want her to fill like she does not have as many pictures of herself as the older kids did when they were 2.

I know we all had a great Christmas run, wishing each of you a Blessed new year as well. Merry Christmas 2012 and good night!

one special present please.....

 We arrived home after many days of travel and the kids requested one special present. (We keep our presents hidden until the morning they open them, so there are no presents under our tree. The older ones now have memories of past Christmas ways and wanted to persuade us to do something a bit different this year.) So after we got the van unpacked, dinner done, and baths finished we caved and they got their request.  We got them each a Renaissance outfit with a certificate promising to take them to one in the fall. The big girls are totally excited as they remember past festivals. Pete spent many hours on making PJ's sword and shield. (It looks awesome and matches his outfit very nicely!) PJ was beyond tired and was not happy to be getting his picture taken.

 Do not be fouled immediately after the above posed picture the all clear was given and the twirling ensued and lasted until bedtime! I think the special presents were a hit!

Brie twirled just as much as the big girls with a huge smile the entire time.

Christmas with the cousins

 So we went to Pete's sisters house for Christmas dinner. We hung out a couple days before heading back home. Believe it or not I did not pull out my camera once, thus I had to pull these pictures from Thanksgiving. We all had a great time playing and being together for Christmas. THANK YOU for hosting all 6 of us, we had a great time being at your house!

pictures with Grandma

 A couple last minute pictures with grandma before we headed out.

Santa filled the stockings

 Makayla does so well getting her picture taken and putting up with her mother's many photo requests! All in all I think she was pleased with her stocking. The rock has her perplexed for a little bit until we explained it may be a geode, then shew as thrilled.

 PJ was also pleased with his stocking. He remembered right quick what a filled stocking was all about.

 Maggie slept really well after midnight mass the night before. She is going to not like these postings some day I am sure but I have to include a few photos, otherwise I will get in trouble for skipping her. In spite of the wacky hair do she had a great Christmas morning as well.

 Brie Brie was soo thrilled with her pickles, she had to be refocused that there was more in her stocking.

 Brie only had foggy memories of last Christmas I think. Regardless she too had a fun morning as well, after she got up finally at 11:15!

Each of the kids got a rock in there stockings! Of course there were geodes that daddy was very happy to open for them. Out to grandma's garage, found a hammer,  chisel and viola each of the kids now has an awesome crystal filled "rock"!

Christmas time with grandma

 We headed to grandma's house for Christmas and she had wonderful snow! and warm enough temps to equal quality snow time! PJ was in his element, loving every minute of it! My sister and nephew helped them to build the perfect snowman, complete with spray painted pants! The kids had a blast.

 My hometown does a Christmas light drive in the local state park. It is probably a mile or so of lots of Christmas lights and scenes, sponsored by the EMS of the county. A wonderful display of many lights for the kids to enjoy.

 We did presents with grandma a day early so everyone would have time to enjoy their new things before the party.

 My mom was anxious to open her present, and  I think she liked it!

 Single shots of the grandma with Brie.

 PJ was thrilled with dinosaurs.

Maggie too could not have been given a more perfect gift!

 Makayla and grandma close up!

Baby Addy was a HUGE hit with all of my kids! She was not lacking for attention at the Christmas Eve party!

 This was pretty much PJ's face all night, he loved every minute of Christmas!

 Brie just looks so sweet in this picture, hard to believe our baby is only 5 weeks away from her 3rd birthday!

 Silly little thing! We put the little ones in their pajamas prior to midnight mass, thinking they would fall asleep! ha! Brie was way too excited to sleep at church, she was desperate to see Baby Jesus! announcing it to all of church many times!

 Some great photos of the kids with a few of the special people in their lives.  PJ and Uncle Jeff.

 Makayla and Auntie Coke.

Gabriellie with Brad.

 Maggie and her Uncle Mark.

Thank you to everyone who made my kids have a great Christmas at grandma's house. They are very lucky to have such fantastic people in their lives and they love each of you very much!

 PJ and Maggie each were given reindeer food at school. It too made the trip to grandmas. So as a group we braved the cold and headed outside at 11:20 pm and made the snow glisten. Then it was off to church!