Christmas Catch Up

Wow! What a jam packed holiday week we had once again. I love everything about it from the cooking and baking going on, to the christmas music in the background, to the time spent with family and friends. We tried to enjoy every aspect of the holiday while of course remembering what we are doing this all for- to celebrate the birth of the King. After experiencing the amazing event that having a baby is ( three times =) and I know just how awesome of a time it is- I just can't imagine what it was like that night in that stable- the natural excitement of a babies birth, but this one not just any birth, but that of the Savior of the World. Doesn't it just make you wish you could have been there? Thinking of it that way helped me connect to something that can sometimes become just a "sweet story" or just an event that happened thousands of years ago. I know there is no way to fully grasp what it was like on the first Christmas night, but I am so thankful to be a recipient of the Gift whose life and death changed everything.

With that being said, on to the events of the week. As I have mentioned it has been so fun having two kids that are all into Christmas this year and of course it's always fun to have a "baby's 1st Christmas" too =). We did lots of things to take it all in and the week was filled with spending time with family and doing fun things. I will from here on out try to let my pictures do most the talking.

This was just a sweet moment from this week I wanted to include.

She loves her dog- and it's a good thing too, for Maggie's sake(don't tell her I told you that...=)

Gigi was in town and we of course enjoyed her visit. One of my favorite memories from this Christmas will be watching Gigi and Hannah Grace dancing together Christmas night. We got some on video and it is great- maybe I will have to include a video clip on here when I get around to it!

Sadie on Christmas Eve- in the word's of her big sister "She's so Santa!!!"

Daddy reading the Christmas story before opening presents.

And present time...

See Linz, I told you she loves those =)

This year was our biggest Christmas for our kids so far. (And a big thanks from our whole family to both sides of our families that did so much for us this year!) They both got a "big present" and a couple small things. Bennett's was a Diego Rescue Center with lots of accessories--vehicles and animals to go on rescue missions.

Hannah Grace got some Tinker Bell things and her big thing was a doll house that I'm not sure whether I was more excited about or she was =).

Sadie just along for the ride! I did get her some new sleepers, but I didn't wrap them since I knew I would be the one opening them. I was glad she had a couple things from family and friends under the tree just for her.

And I think I am alone on this one, but I love the putting things together part =)

So there is a snapshot of Christmas morning with our family. We headed over to Grandma and Grandpa Braithwait's house later in the afternoon.

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Christmas at the Braithwait's

We were so thankful to have our sweet Sadie with us this Christmas. It's crazy to think that at Christmas last year we had no idea we would be a family of five by the next Christmas.

Daddy's Big Girl!

Loved this- Bennett in Papa's chair on an important business call.

Opening presents at grandma and grandpa's, these kids sure are spoiled!

Hannah Grace got some dress up clothes and her little brother was more than willing to be her "stand in" prince. Haha, I personally thought they were so cute dancing together!!!

and a great pic to end the night with...

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Bailey's Birthday

You may remember, little Bailey decided to make her grand entrance into this world on Christmas day last year, so Christmas was also Bailey's 1st birthday!! Saturday was her birthday party, I can't believe her 1st year has come and gone!! Happy Birthday Bailey Bean!

Side note: Not sure why, all "my" (I use quotes b/c I am aware Bailey is not technically mine, but I still would claim her =) girls get "bean" attached to them- we have had Hannah Bean, Bailey Bean, and now Sadie Bean! I think my mom rubbed that one off on me. I'm sure if I would have gotten to be around my neices more when they were babies we would have had Ella Bean, Khylie Bean, and now Lola Bean- Sidney probably would have been skipped since that would sound like Kidney Bean and Olivia (coming in January) Bean doesn't really flow either. Okay, just felt the need to include all them since they are "my girls" too =) OKAY on from my pointless banter!!!! Sorry....

Here are the pics from the party on Saturday.

I have a hammer and I know how to use it!

But of course I never would.....

Opening her presents- I think this might be my absolute favorite picture I took all week. I just love it!

This is all for me???

You are bringing me some of that cake stuff, right mom?

Waiting ever so patiently.

It feels so wrong, but so right!!!

Okay if you say so....

This is awesome!

You are very loved, sweet girl!!

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Believe it or not, that is a wrap! If you made it this far, you are a trooper! Now we just have to wait- 362 days until Christmas next year-- I can' wait! =)

Angel, Baby

Ah Sadie... have I mentioned how much I love this girl? I can't believe her 1st three months of life have already come and gone. We had Sadie baptized on Sunday, but we are going to have her little celebration get together when my parents are in town in a couple weeks, so I thought I would just wait and post all about it then.

For now I wanted to jot down a few Sadie factoids for the sake of my own memory.
We have been LOVING hearing her first few giggles and belly laughs over the past several weeks- I mean is there a better sound in the world?
We have just realized she loves "Snugglies" (as you can see above). She loves to have them cuddled in her arm.
She spends a good amount of time on her little play mat. She will lay there and listen to the music and bat at the toys for a good thirty minutes, sometimes more.

She sleeps from 9:30 ish to about 7:00 in the  morning (at least as of late). I think I would say she's a pretty laid back little thing.

We thought she looked just like Bennett for the first few weeks, but as of late she has been reminding us more and more of her big sister.

Any way you look at it we think she's just precious. ( I know, shocker, right?) I think that's pretty normal =)

Oh yeah, and mommy has recently discovered Sadie's tickle spot. Here is a little soul food for you.