Christmas morning

 What an awesome Christmas morning!

Every year we wake early to give gifts and spend time together before the Cosby crew comes over for brunch.  We are trying to keep Christmas a bit low key.  Each child got 3 gifts from Mom and Dad and siblings got or made each other something special.  Plus Santa brought 1 gift, plus a few fun goodies like play doh and a fort kit.

Ayla got her own camera.  She has been taking pictures and videos all morning.

She also got STEM kits, a bow and arrow, a classic storybook

Abe got a new sensory box filled with beans to dig his trucks through & a digger, a real Buzz Lightyear, and helicopter book.  Santa brought him a real blower.  Our walks and garage looked great before everyone arrived.

Leah got a cool smart watch for kids.  It tracks her activity and has games and videos on it.  She also got a canvas & easel, a fairytale treasury book, and STEM kits.

Miss E got a new carseat and a walking push elephant.

Our annual family timer photo.

I always love these photos.  Maybe one day I will make a banner of each year.  One day it will be awesome to look back at them.

My four ducks in a row

Right before brunch I had to snap a picture of my sugar bear on her first Christmas.

I enjoyed every second of the crazy holiday.  I have noticed this break more than ever that my kids are growing up.  That means more fun, more responsibility, more fighting & yelling, more chaos.  I look forward to the Christmas' ahead.  

Big Red

As you can see Emilia met Big Red

Abram surprised me most by hoping on his lap.  While Leah and Ayla stayed clear.  Leah did be sure to whisper her requests in his ear.  She wouldn't let us know what they discussed- it was confidential. oh my.

Dancing Girls

This year our studio decided to host our Christmas show in a venue for parents to come and enjoy.  It was very neat.  Typically we are in a nursing home hallway (big difference).  Our studio has grown so much in the past 3 years that it is no longer possible for that to happen.  Progress.

Mommy's favorite dancers

This is Melanie's first year in dance.  So sweet to enjoy it with cousins

Abe's Christmas Program

Daddy, Emilia, and I were able to go have brunch with Abram's class.  They sang a few songs with instruments too.  It was adorable.  Abe didn't seem nervous.  Very smiley and proud to be up there!  I was very proud of him.  He picked out his outfit before school that day, also.  He needed it to be "handsome".  I love this boy.  He constantly is keeping me on my toes.  Can't wait to watch him grow.

Nutcracker

What an amazing experience for our dancers.  Another great year of dancing the Nutcracker with the Evansville Children Center for Dance

my gumdrops

Some of the girls "fan club"

PS. Abe dressed himself.  He wanted to look "handsome" and needed his "penders & tie"

Emilia Micah: 9 months

Emilia Micah: 9 months

You fit right in with our crazy crew.

I do not remember life before Milly...  and I don't ever want to.

You complete our tribe.

You are silly, spunky, snuggly, and sweet.

Lately, you are showing your bashful side and not really wanting to let others hold you.  I know soon enough you will not want Mommy so close. So I am enjoying it.

You like to chatter and talk.  Reminds me of Leah at this age.

You can say mama, dada, bubba, ay-a (ayla), bye

Using baby signs for "all done" and "drink"

You pull yourself to standing and do some cruising on toys and furniture.

Your crawl as turned into a very fast scoot on your bottom.

Sleeping is better some days and sketchy others.

You love food and prefer to feed yourself.  Most days you eat what we eat.

Gingerbread Building

The kids look forward to building gingerbread houses every year.

We had to get a whole village this year.

We are pretty proud of the final product

And I love the little hands that decorated them.