Christmas Day

Christmas day was spent with Ryan's family this year.  The kids woke up excited and ready to go, well 2 of them at least.  Cameron was not happy about going and I didn't understand why, he always loves to go to Grandma's house.  We finally figured out that he didn't want to go because he wanted to stay home and play with his new presents.  That soon passed.  In the afternoon we ventured outside to play in the snow.  Lauren didn't last long, but the others enjoyed it.  I have to say that I enjoyed it too, and so did Ryan.  We made it all the way down the hill to the fence, at least the adults did, the kids didn't got quite as far.  After the rest of us went inside, Ryan, Joe and Mark got the 4-wheeler out and pulled each other on tubes behind it.  I didn't get any pictures because I didn't want to go back outside.

Cameron and Ian with their new matching cattle trucks

Ryan and Cameron; Cameron warmed up to the idea of going down by himself after awhile

Cameron helping Ian

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is our family's day to celebrate Christmas at home.  Ryan worked for a few hours in the morning so the kids and I went outside to enjoy the snow and scoop the driveway.  I couldn't believe how hard it was snowing.  By the time I was halfway done scooping, I could have started over again there was so much snow.  It was fun though, the first time we've been in the snow this year.  

The kids had swimming lessons so we all went swimming and down the slide, even Lauren.  It was a fun break for the winter day.  In the afternoon we went to church.  It was fun to be with the kids in church.  We took some pictures with friends because our kids all looked so cute!

We came home from church and took pictures first since the kids were already dressed up.  Cameron wasn't into the pictures, but he smiled nicely for me (with the promise of presents to soon follow).

 Aubrey did a good job of taking a picture of us

We made individual pizzas for supper, the kids enjoyed choosing their own toppings.  We also had mini cans of pop and for dessert individual ice creams.  Opening presents was so fun.  The kids did a great job of waiting patiently for their turn and were all excited for what they got.  The evening was very enjoyable, being at home and playing with the kids with their new toys.  Ryan gave me an ice cream maker, which I haven't been able to use yet, we've been too busy, but I'm looking forward to it!  

Aubrey got a big book of easy readers, so here are the kids listening to her reading her first story from the book, how precious!

Stockings and the start of Christmas

We started with our stockings on Saturday.  We have the tradition of opening one present a day starting a week before Christmas.  The kids are so excited, it's fun to see their anticipation.  We fill their stockings with simple presents.  For example, Lauren opened a calculator yesterday and was thrilled with it.  She keeps saying, "My calculator."  We got one for each of the kids because they fight over ours all the time.  One dollar buys a lot.  

Sunday we celebrated Christmas with my family.  We stayed overnight on Saturday night and then opened presents on Sunday.  It was fun for most of us, except Scotty.  He was up all night in pain.  To make a long story short, he had his gall bladder removed yesterday.  He is doing fine, but I'm sure he's glad it's over.

 My dad with Lilly and Lauren

 Lauren talking to Shannon and Lilly

 All the kids around the tree

My mom made matching pajamas for Aubrey and her doll Jenny.  It was Aubrey's request after looking through the American Girl catalog.  I think they turned out very cute, and Aubrey is very pleased.

My Baby is 2

Today is Lauren's 2nd birthday, where has the time gone?  It's not just me either; I've had other people tell me that it seems impossible that she's 2 already.  It's such a fun stage that she's in now.  She is constantly surprising us with her new vocabulary, it seems like we are laughing about something that she says everyday.  

When we asked Lauren what she wanted for her birthday she would say barbies or babies.  The other thing she would say is that she wanted a yellow cake.  Sometimes she would say that she wanted a green one, but mostly it was yellow. So I had the challenge of finding a cake pan that would look good with yellow frosting.  I found a pony cake, so that was what we went with.  I think it turned out well and it wasn't very difficult because it only required a few colors.

The finished product.

 Smiling with her cake.  It actually took quite a few pictures to get one with a smile, she likes to play sober. 

 She also requested yellow and green ice cream, so Aunt Lisa bought rainbow sherbet.

 What can it be?  A swing for her baby.

 Big brother admiring her new princess barbie.

 She tore off small pieces of paper with each present.  Everyone was joking that by the time she was done she would be 3, but she enjoyed it.

 New baby

Today we had a small party with her friends.  It wasn't really much, but she had fun.  

 Lauren and buddy Conner

 Again, not wanting to smile with her cupcake.

Here's my big girl.  She is full of energy and has a fun personality.  She wants her way and knows how to stick up for herself (she didn't have a choice but to learn with a big brother and a big sister).  Playing babies and drawing are her favorite activities.  She also gets very excited when she wakes up to find her cousin Lilly at our house.  We love you sweetie!

Bad Adult

Cameron:  Mom, Dad is a bad adult.  He let me have a cookie for breakfast.

Ryan:  It was only half of a cookie.

Natasha:  Oh, I see.

Cameron:  And Dad lets me wash without soap sometimes.  He's a bad adult.

Christmas tree and other events

We got our tree on Monday evening, but couldn't decorate it until Tuesday because it was so cold that the branches weren't spread out.  Anyway, the kids loved it of course.  Lauren wasn't too into it, but it was right after her nap.  

 The finished look.  I didn't even move the ornaments, I just guided them as they worked.

Ryan's been very tired this week, which is understandable with his jet lag.  Anyway, the other night he was putting Cameron to bed and this is how I found him.  I thought it was too cute.

 And the last thing...Aubrey got her haircut last week.  I have been thinking that it was getting too heavy for her small face, so I suggested that we cut it.  She wanted it even shorter than I did, but I decided to go with it.  She was all smiles while she was in the chair.  We love it, she even can brush it now by herself.