Xmas at Grandma Cleys'

We celebrated Christmas with Grandma Cleys on Sunday.  The kids were super excited because they were also having a sleepover that night as well.

 Look at the twins!

Grandma spoiled everyone!  The boys got a huge Hexbug track.  Abs got princess stuff.  Everyone received a nice art kit and their favorite character pj's along with a whole bunch more!

Grandma's house is always so nicely decorated for the holidays.  There was plenty for Brooke to look at!

Christmas Day

After opening presents and playing with all of them for about two seconds, we relaxed for a little while and then got ready to go to Grandma & Grandpa Piskor's house. 

And what did we do there as soon as we arrived?  Well, opened more presents of course!  Abby finally got her princess bike.

Josh was super excited to get a talking Winnie the Pooh.  Jacky was happy with his Buzz stuff.  And Brooke was just happy to chew on anything she could get ahold of!

The kids had a great time running up and down stairs and grabbing any sweets they could get.  I don't know how much chocolate was consumed, but it was a lot!

And Brooke was so excited, that she took a nap ;)  Actually she napped while we all ate.  Worked out well!  The rest of the time she was being passed from relative to relative and she was showing us her beautiful smile.  Not a cry from her the entire time!

And then what did we do???  Opened more presents from the cousins!  My kids REALLY got spoiled this year.  They received books, crafts, clothes, coloring books, bowling set, and tons, tons, tons more!

And this is what our entryway looked like when we lugged all the presents inside.  This is not even all of it!

We are just so blessed to have a wonderful family and to spend time with everyone!

Christmas Morning

When I was little, Christmas Eve was a bigger deal than Christmas Day.  We would always go to my grandparents house and I would play with my cousins and we would have a huge meal.  At the end of the meal, after much begging, we were allowed to open presents.  There were always piles and piles of presents just for the kids.  The adults would all sit back and take it all in.  And now, as a parent, I see the magic of Christmas, this year especially.  The kids were just so excited about Santa Claus coming to our house.  Even though we came home late on Christmas Eve, they were still eager to set out the cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.  

Is there anything better in the world than seeing the wonder on your kids' faces as they race downstairs to find a Christmas tree glowing with loads of presents underneath?!  This year, the kids woke up before us and ran to our room to tell us that Santa came.  We came downstairs and since Brooke was still sleeping, they were allowed to open their stockings.  When that was done, Abby went in to Brooke's room and announced that she had woken up.  I walked in there and asked Abby if she really had been awake or was awoken by her.  Of course, Abby was just so excited that she woke up Brooke.  Oh well!

And so, out came the camera and video camera and the obligatory pics in front of the tree were taken before the unwrapping started.

Brooke had some assistance opening her gifts.  Typical baby style, she was more excited over the wrapping paper than the actual gift.

And the aftermath.  Everyone was so pleased with their gifts.  All the time it took to decide, purchase, wrap, etc. was all worth it to see the smiles on their faces!

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve has always been my favorite holiday.  As a child, that was the one where we opened the presents ;)  The kids were very excited to go to Great Grandma Cleys' house to celebrate!

All the aunts, uncles, and cousins were there.  And what greeted the kids as we came in?  Birthday presents from Aunt Cathy, cousin Amanda and Vanessa.  And right after that, they opened their stockings.  Candy, candy, and more candy!

After eating, we were asked multiples times if we could open presents.  I think Amanda was just as excited as the kids because she finally got everyone on board.

I can't believe how many presents the kids received.  From Fijits to Dinosaur Poppers, to clothing to Barbie's.  The kids immediately started opening some games and Candyland was played.  I was so worried that Brooke would be crabbing by missing her bed time.  No way!  She was such a good baby.  She played and laughed.  I think she liked Great Grandma's heated floors because she was content with rolling around.  She didn't make a peep until we were leaving.

 All the grandkids and great grandkids.

The kids went into the next room to watch Home Alone with Chris, and I played games with the cousins.  We had such a great time that we didn't want to leave.  We didn't make it home till after 10!!!  Thankfully, the kids were already in their pj's!

Letter to My 7/8 Month Old Daughter

Dear Brooklyn,

Time is flying by so fast that I didn't even do our traditional 7 month wall picture!  It is amazing how quickly you are growing.  We were so excited for you to celebrate your first Thanksgiving and your first Christmas.  I can't believe that at this time last year, you were kicking me in my belly!

As I type this, Daddy is feeding you your lunch.  It has become quite difficult to feed you because you are always doing something with those hands.  Most of the time it is clapping and therefore the spoon full of food gets spilled.  You just get so excited!

Another thing you love to do is explore your environment.  We call you Miss Nosy.  But really, who could blame you when you have 3 siblings who are always doing something interesting.  It's so funny to watch you stretch your neck or peer over us to watch.

Speaking of your brothers and sister, they love you so much.  They are always watching out for you and helping me out.  The only thing they need to work on is to be quiet when you are napping!  But hey, you get them back for that at night time ;)

You currently have 5 teeth.  3 on top and 2 on bottom.  I think that 6th tooth is going to come out very soon because you are on your chewing spree again. You are eating solids 3x a day.  I think you really like applesauce.  Peas, not so much!  Your hair is growing quickly, so much so that I actually put a bow in it for the holidays!  As for crawling, it's not happening yet.  You are so content with sitting up and playing.  When you want to get something, you roll to it.  And you have developed a grunting noise just to be heard.  Totally understandable in our loud house!  Another thing I have noticed is that you are getting upset if me or Daddy leave the room.  So cute!

I know I say this every month, but you really are a joy to be around.  Very few people have ever heard you cry.  You were such a champ during the holidays.  Relatives were holding you and you were as happy as could be.  We kept you out too late, and you were still in a good mood.  I thank God everyday for you!!!  You have brought such immense happiness to our lives and I am a better person for having you here.  I love you more than words can ever express!

Love,

Mommy

Gingerbread Houses

The kids were super excited to decorate gingerbread houses.  They are old pros at this!

Everyone got a bowl full of candy and their own house.  Daddy even wrote their name with frosting.

 I love how everyone took their time and carefully placed each candy on the house.  Josh pretty much went with a place it anywhere design.

While Jack placed each and every candy in place with a design in mind.  Abs did the same.

Every visitor gets a tour of the homes.  They are so proud of their creations!

Visiting the Big Guy/Brooke's First Visit

The kids have really been looking forward to their visit with Santa this year.  I love how every year they just get more and more into Christmas.

Their lists have been made for quite some time and they knew what they were going to ask for.  I took the triplets to get their hair cut before we went.  Usually, I have to have one on my lap for the hair cut.  But this time, big boy Josh sat all by himself!  He was so proud and said, "Santa's going to be happy".

Aunt Caroline and Evie went with us again this year.  And once again, there was nobody in line!  We love this Santa.  He has been there for quite some time and remembers us.  He really takes his time and talks with each of them.  Such a sweet man!

And guess who did a great job with her first visit?  Brooke!  She really enjoyed his beard.  She kept pulling on it.  Thank goodness it was real!

After it was our turn, some more people arrived.  Josh forgot to tell him about his solo hair cut, so we wrote a note and Buddy, our elf, delivered the message to Santa.