the day after Christmas

We celebrated our family Christmas on the 26th this year. It was a great time of being with family, good food, fun and laughter, and a special time of celebrating my younger brother's engagement! (Congrats Sam and Valerie!)

the whole family!

Jonathan gets big hugs from Daddy

Joshua loves his new tool set

Jackson loves his new dump truck!! We built it as soon as we got home!

the snowiest day of the year so far

the view on the drive back home---so pretty!!

Christmas at our house

Kids wake up early to open Christmas presents, right? But 4:15 am is just way too early!! Our three boys were up too early and and needed much coaxing to go back to sleep! They did eventually fell back asleep and then were up for the day by 6:30! They were so excited this year! It was contagious!

Every year we open presents at our house and then rush to different houses to celebrate with our extended family. This year we did not celebrate with my family on Christmas Eve as we normally do and we won't be celebrating with AW's family until a much later date, so it was just our family doing our own thing! We actually had the whole day together to spend as a family! It was wonderful! AW looked at me around lunchtime and said, "I think we make this our new tradition and just stay home for Christmas!" I like that idea! Me, AW, and our three boys--it doesn't get any better than that!

I cooked my first Christmas dinner (crazy that we've celebrated 10 Christmases together and this is the first dinner that I have had to cook at our house!)! And it was yummy! Ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, fresh bread, and dessert!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I hope that whatever your day was like, it was wonderful and you took some time to celebrate the real meaning of today. Jesus is the reason for the season!!

Christmas Eve 2009

At our house, we open stockings on Christmas Eve. The boys were so excited, as were AW and I. We waited till Daddy to came home from work (he had a shorter day) and then let the boys see what was wating for them in their stockings! :) Merry Christmas!

An afternoon in the snow!

It snowed most of the day out here! Everything is covered in the white stuff...and we LOVE it! We ventured out this afternoon after naptime and lasted quite a while, which was impressive!

Getting dressed is quite an adventure with three little boys!!

My littlest snow bunny! He stands so confidently now! But he couldn't walk with all that gear on!

I love our three-kid sled! It's perfect!

Guess who's walking??

Jonathan has been trying to keep up with his big brothers for quite some time now! This weekend he has really started taking good steps! He took 6 good steps on Sunday! Soon he'll be chasing Jackson and Joshua!!

Two birthday videos

Jonathan had a little help with the candle from his cousin Elizabeth!

Trying out the new toys! So fun!

Jonathan's FIRST Birthday!

We celebrated Jonathan's first birthday with lots of family and friends this morning! We had a brunch open house, which was a wonderful way to celebrate! There were lots of adults and 16 kids under the age of 8, all squeezed into our townhouse! It was a wonderful time, filled with fun, laughter, playing, presents, and lots of good food!

Jonathan, we love you so very much! You are a wonderful little guy! Happy 1st Birthday!

Thanks to all our family and friends who helped us celebrate Jonathan's birthday! Thanks for the great gifts!! We've read all the books, played with all the new toys, and wore new jammies to bed! We've had a great day!!