ZOO

On this last day of the year I took my three monkeys to visit monkeys at the zoo.  Both were entertaining to watch!

 

ART

JUMP

It's freezing outside!  So why not blow up this jungle gym in our basement (thanks Grandma S!) and JUMP?!?!

CHRISTMAS 5.0

Last Christmas celebration!  (Thank goodness!)

We celebrated with Grandpa T at Uncle M's house. 

Everyone was an expert on opening gifts by now!

We made pizzas for lunch and got our wiggles out in the basement.

And, JP was introduced to video games by his Uncles - oh my!

All in all, we had a wonderful Christmas ... now it's time to figure out where all of these new presents belong!

CHRISTMAS 4.0

In the years to come, I'd like to think we'll look back at these pictures and not remember that we needed to alter our Christmas plans due to A's crazy work schedule.  (Last year, we celebrated as a family and Santa came a few days early - actually, I already forgot the details of the specific day!).  This year, A had to leave the house at 4 AM on Christmas day and came home around 4 PM the same day.  The kids knew that Santa had emailed us and said he'd be stopping by after Daddy came home from work.

So we woke up on Christmas morning without presents.  We stayed in our jammies all day and played with new presents from our prior Christmas celebrations. 

By the time Daddy came home, we were ALL stir crazy, so we left the house for a trip to the park.  The Big Kids left out treats, milk, photos, and $1 for Santa just in case he came while we were away.

and he did!

Merry Christmas!

CHRISTMAS 3.0

For my entire life (literally, I think!) I've spent Christmas Eve with my parents.  Even with Grandpa A and Grandma K's move to our city, this tradition has continued with my brothers and their families.  We spent the day 

playing,

eating,

sharing,

baking Christmas cookies,

and eating Christmas cookies

(yes, Baby J has FOUR cookies on his plate at the same time!).

Despite getting to church more than thirty minuets early, we sat on folding chairs in the hallway.  Probably a good spot for SIX kids six and under!  The adults tried to listen while the kids swapped snacks, books, and snot.  

Baby J was so over posing for photos!

Even when we bribed him to cuddle with baby cousin Charlie (who was dressed in the same outfit without any planning on our part!).

AA asked for Grandma's chalk, snuck away, and then later revealed her Christmas masterpiece on the chalkboard wall. 

The Big Kids just love their little cousins!

Baby J is now a pro at unwrapping gifts!

JP received so many Star Wars gifts … and he's never seen the movie!

Another Christmas in the books!  

CHRISTMAS 2.0

Family Christmas tonight!  

We pulled out the China and made homemade pizzas and peanut butter malts!

 I love these little Elves!

 We tried to keep things simple this year … each kid received "Something to wear, something to read, something they want, and something they need"

 Apparently the "something they want" for Baby J could have been a cardboard box!  We sat and played with his dump trucks for nearly 30 minutes! 

Merry Christmas!

ARLO

The Elf is back this season!  This year "Arlo"  (arrwoo to Baby J) made his debut on the first of this month.  Thankfully, he's remembered to head to the north pole every single night … but he's caused a lot of angst for the parents in our house this season!  The Big Kids have progressively woke up earlier and earlier over the past few weeks to because they are so excited to see where he is hiding.  

All in all, Arlo has definitely ramped up the Christmas spirit in our household.  Thank goodness he only hides in spots where Baby J has zero chance of touching him (because, of course, he will then lose his magic).   

I'll be quite happy when Santa takes Arlo back to the North Pole for good on Christmas Day!

CHRISTMAS 1.0

Over the river and through the woods … to Grandmother's house we go!  We spent the weekend up north for our first (of many!) Christmas celebrations.  While the Big Kids eagerly awaited for the cousins to arrive yesterday afternoon, they helped Grandma S make cookies and decorate a Gingerbread House.  

We definitely missed Aunt M, Uncle K, and our big cousins this year, but it was nice to play with Andrew and Evan.

First, we celebrated Grandma S's birthday … 

and then it was present time!

Baby J didn't know what to think at first … so we let him work on his first present for a long time while  the Big Kids quickly moved on.

The big box in the corner had everyone puzzled - but after Grandma removed the "To Grandpa" tag and told JP it was for him, there were squeals and clapping … 

a new bike!

We spent the rest of the night relaxing and playing with new gifts … 

Princess Jasmine!

New legos!

and checkers with cousin Andrew.

This year, we let the Big Kids do their own fondue!

The weekend went fast (and the presents were open even faster!) - but we had a fun time at Christmas 1.0!