Christmas Celebrations

Christmas Eve was a relaxing day spent at home and running a few errands.  It was a little strange, in a good way, because it was a Saturday, so Ryan was at home all day.  We went to church in the afternoon and even slipped in a few pictures afterwards.  It's been a tradition to take pictures of the kids with their friends on Christmas, and this year was no different.  It was hard to make them all cooperate, but this shows a real look at them.  Lauren wasn't really into talking to anyone at church the whole time and when it was time for pictures, it was no different.

When we got home, I made the kids pose for solo pictures before we could eat supper, again with the bribes, but it works!  I love to see them dressed up and know that they will all too soon be grown up, so this is my way of slowing down time.

 Presents were fun of course.  I included a few pictures that captured their expressions.  The kids did a good job of being thankful, which made the whole experience more enjoyable.  We let them sleep in the living room by the fireplace and the tree, but it kind of turned into a nightmare when they were still awake at 10:30.  They did a good job the next day, I think excitement can get them through for a few days.

Sunday was spent at Mom and Dad's.  Thankfully everyone was able to be there since sickness had hit Jeremy's house the few days prior to Christmas.  A few weeks ago the kids had spent the night at Grandpa's to practice their Christmas story play that they did for us.  It was fun to see them get involved in the tradition of retelling the Christmas story.  This is something that we always did at my grandparent's house when I was growing up.  Aubrey was and an angel and Herod, Cameron was a shepherd and a wise man and Lauren was an angel and baby Jesus when the wise men came.

 Passing out presents

 She's so small, she fits in her own suitcase.  I guess if we fly, we won't have to buy her a seat, we'll just put her in the luggage!  

 Aubrey got her one true wish, a REAL camera!   The camera is hiding her expression, but she was very  happy and has taken well over 100 pictures since Christmas day.  *side note-she picked out her own new frames and I think they look very nice*

 Lauren was helping Lilly open her presents and explaining what we gave her.

 Proof of the once a year male dish washing session, notice that Dad is missing.

 Kyle and the crew

And Lauren in her little basket that she's fit into for quite some time.  I think it was a year ago that she first sat in it.  I think she's Kyle's new best friend because while everyone else gives him grief for his beard, she said, "I like this beard."  

Let the Fun Begin!

Each year the kids can't wait for their stockings to begin.  They were excited on Sunday when they realized that it was the day to begin the fun.  I made them pose for a picture first (you get better pictures when you have a bribe!)

 Here they are with their ornaments.  Aubrey gets an angel each year, Cameron a bear and Lauren a snowman.

 Putting them on the tree

And a picture of our decorated tree.  This year there are no pictures of us putting up the tree and decorating it because my camera had not yet been replaced from the burglary, so Aubrey wanted me to take a picture of the finished product.

Miller Christmas

Last weekend was spent celebrating Christmas with our Miller family.  We got to spend the night on Friday night and the kids got new jammies, which were a hit!  They also got to sleep together on the living room floor, another hit.  I noticed that I didn't take very many pictures this year, I guess that happens sometimes.  

One thing the kids have started doing at Mark's is standing on the fireplace and singing songs.  They all have to take turns and sing us a song of their choice.  This time it was no different except they did throw in some Christmas songs.  It's so fun to watch them take their turn, even Maggie loves doing this.

Aubrey and Lauren performing

The kids in their new Christmas jammies

Aubrey, Lauren, Cameron, Ian and Maggie (with her baby)

Lauren's Birthday Parts 2 & 3

On Lauren's actual birthday she got to open one final present from us.  It was a Princess lunch box (which she was trilled with) and a tutu skirt.  In the morning the kids went to Grandma Miller's and then in the evening we had our faith family Christmas/birthday party for Lauren and Brayden.

Opening her last present the morning of her birthday

Lauren, Ema and Brayden waiting for the pictures to be taken so they can dig in.

I love this picture, they are getting ready to blow out the candles!

Then part #3 of Lauren's birthday came Monday.  We had a few friends over to celebrate and play.  It's always good to get the kids together to play and for the moms to chat.

Hilarious smirk!

The excitement builds

The traditional couch picture, only now we don't all fit on the couch.

Ashlyn, Kendall, Jaclyn, Aubrey holding Lilly, Lauren, Zach, Alaina, Ellie and Cameron

Lauren is 3!

Today is Lauren's 3rd birthday and she is thrilled! She is a very vibrant little girl with a vocabulary that is beyond her short three years of life.  She amazes people all the time with how well, and how much, she talks.  Last night Ryan took Lauren out for her birthday and he said she didn't stop talking the whole time.  Today she received a few phone calls and it was hilarious to watch her talk on the phone.  She wasn't shy about answering questions and was happy to tell all about her day. 

We had her party last Sunday and she chose a snowman cake this year.  It was probably the easiest cake I've made yet.  The kids had to have the cake book open to the page with the snowman cake picture so everyone could see that it looked "exactly like the picture", their words not mine.  I'm glad they can't see the flaws in the cakes I make, just the love.

 Notice the candle placement, Lauren put the candles in by herself.  Easier for blowing out I guess!

 She asked for boots and was so excited to get them!

 I know her eyes are closed, but I like her expression.

 Another great expression

Here she is at her new desk with her make-up.  She asked for make-up for her birthday, but I told her she was too young.  Rachelle found this play make-up and it has been the hit of the week!  She has done my hair and make-up several times.

Winter activities

We've been doing some fun winter/Christmas crafts and Lilly joined us last week when we made gum drop ornaments.  I saw this idea and thought it would be fun.  The kids loved it, even though it didn't turn out quite like I thought it would.  They could've cared less since they didn't have a picture in their heads to start with, they just had fun creating and eating.

Lilly enjoyed putting the ornament together, but really enjoyed eating the gum drops!

Aubrey's creation

Cameron's creation, I thought it looked like something from a science textbook.

Lauren's creation!

Another day we made shaped pancakes.  Irma gave us molds to use so I decided to try them out.  It worked very well!  The kids were excited, especially when I let them use whip cream and blueberries to make their snowmen complete. 

Ballet

Aubrey has been taking ballet and Saturday was parent observation class so we all got to sit in and watch.  She does a great job and loves everything about it.  She's very intent on learning and even has fun "practicing" at home and teaching Lauren the proper technique.