8 Month Pictures

Lincoln

Gavin

Vaughn

Christmas

Santa Claus came Saturday night. The girls got a Barbie Jeep. The boys...well...there were a couple bowls and spoons in their stockings. Figure they don't need much. Lucy was about to have a nervous breakdown on Saturday night. She was petrified that Santa Claus was going to eat all our food while we were sleeping. Not just the cookies and milk we left out for him...but all the cookies we made and were planning on taking to Nanas house. The girls were excited to get the jeep...but either they're still just too young...or it's because we don't put tons of presents under the tree and don't focus on Santa much - because they just didn't get it.
Family Dinner. I assume Lincoln will be scarred for life since he was sleeping and wasn't there.

Decorating cookies for Santa.

Girls in their Barbie Jeep.

My Christmas Blessing

Last night the Ellmers came over to celebrate Christmas. The house was clean (at least the kitchen, living room and nursery), the presents were wrapped, and I had quit yelling at my children thanks to the incentive Lucy offered (a penny). They came, we ordered pizza (is that 3 or 4 times this week?), and hung out like we always do. It's so comforting being around them. Jenny just picks up where she left off with us. She loves my kids...and they love her. When I told Lucy that someone was coming over tonight and gave her the hint "It's someone that loves you very much"...she guessed right away, "Is it Jenny?". Jenny jumps right in and doesn't ask...she plays with the kids, changes diapers, gets milk, feeds bottles and does all the things a mother does. It is such a HUGE, HUGE help. And we pick up our conversations right where they left out without a guarded word. It's no surprise to get the best Christmas presents from her. She knows me so well.

We've never lived in the same town...but remain best friends. We know that God brought us together and we are blessed having each other.

Here's a picture of the candles she got me.

Lucy's Christmas Program

Tuesday the 19th was Lucy's Christmas Program. Thank goodness I remembered when I woke up Tuesday or she'd have gone in jeans and a sweater...and I wouldn't have been there. Mona and Grandma James came. During the middle, Gracie escaped and ran up screaming "Luuuuuuuccccccccyyyyyyyyyyy" and gave her a big hug. It was actually pretty cute. No good pictures of the program - I didn't have my good camera and the flash doesn't work well on the camera I did take.

These were the only pictures I got from the whole thing.
Lucy with her teachers.

Lucy and Mona

Grace and Grandma

Grace

Lunch Disaster

Took the girls to Diamond Daves a couple weeks ago when I had no girls. Lucy had to go to the bathroom so I walked her 20 steps there. When I came back. The table was empty. I didn't even look, but held my camera under the booth and took this picture of Grace.

Lunch was a disaster...I had expected it to go much better without the boys. I ordered both girls a meal. Grace ate a little. Lucy ate a little of Grace's - none of her own. Lucy chose the restaurant...but neither wanted to be there and neither would sit still for a minute.

Christmas with the Ellmers

Ellmers were on their way. Boys were screaming. House still a mess. Me in my pjs. Lucy says she'll give me a penny if I quit yelling.

Happy Birthday to??? Us!

Last night Gracie wasn't feeling well. She just kept moaning and calling from us from her bed. So finally I brought her to bed with us. Well she was driving me crazy tossing and turning. She slept by Jamie for a little while. He got up and changed her diapers and clothes...hoping that would help. When he brought her back to bed she kept tossing and turning and singing happy birthday. She sang happy birthday to each person in our family...Mommy, Daddy, Lucy, Lincoln, Gavin, and Vaughn. Finally we just took her back to bed.

I can't think of one night where she spent the entire night in our bed. She HAS to be in a crib/pack n play to sleep.

We think she may be a bit obsessive compulsive. She will spread a blanket on the floor and have to have it completely spread out with no wrinkles. Once my mom's dog walked over her blanket and she got up and started yelling at the dog and then straightened the blanket back out. She does lots of weird things like that.

Lucy Said Today....

"Mommy, I don't like our house. It's always messy."

life as we know it

This Week

Been a busy week.

Monday the Steve, Donna and Kim came over to watch the kids. Instead, we ordered pizza and all just hung out together. Great time!

Tuesday we had dinner with the Batchelors and Beckers. Beckers just had a baby boy. He's a cutie. Great chance for us to get to know some couples in our small group a little better. Ali watched the girls and Jackie, Jean and Brad watched the boys.

Wednesday was spent making Oreo truffles, breakfast casseroles, and getting ready for Christmas. Still no presents wrapped though. Although as I sit and look...I don't really have many to wrap. Good thing!

Yesterday I took all the kids to where I work after I picked them up from Debbie's. Peggy spoiled all of them with Christmas presents. Lots of toys and stuffed animals. Of course the girls loved the presents so much that they spent the rest of the evening fighting over them! Like most kids, both of them only wanted the toy that the other child had. Fun times.

Christmas Letters are done!

Well I stayed up until about midnight Tuesday and finished my Christmas letter!! Yay! I have envelopes ready to go and they'll be mailed today. Hopefully people will get them BEFORE Christmas this year!

Christmas Pictures

Christmas

Spent Christmas at mom's this weekend. Can't believe Christmas is here already. Although I do feel some relief of pressure. Got to hook up this weekend with my brother Jason, his wife and two girls - they hadn't met the boys yet; brother Justin and his girlfriend; sister Susan, her hubby and two girls; sister Linda is California and couldn't come. Was great to see everyone again. Jason caught the flu bug that we all had. Will spend the rest of this week putting away stuff that we brought home from mom's - clothes, presents, etc. Off to work now.

Gavin

Gavin has two teeth now too. Center bottom.

Lincoln

Lincoln has teeth! He's getting his two bottom ones in.

Jamie

I never tell my husband enough how proud I am of him. But I am. Tuesday night we were on our way to small group. We stopped at Fareway to pick up some food. As I was running in, I saw a friend who looked a little sick. She was ringing the Salvation Army bell with her daughter. She said several members of her family were sick...two of them were in the van in the parking lot (in plain view). I offered to take them with me but she didn't want to spread anything. I briefly thought...I should stay and ring the bell so she can go home. But, like most people...I didn't offer. I just kept on going. I had a babysitter. I selfishly wanted to go to small group and hang out with some big people. When I got back in the van I told Jamie what was going on and he went in and sent our friend and her sick family home while he stayed and rang the bell for her. Jamie is such an example to me of what it means to be Christ-like. He is always doing things like that. Things that most people think - Oh, that would be nice, but maybe some other time, I'm busy now. Many of us are willing to help in a way that is convenient for us. But he truly sacrifices for other people and helps them where they need it. I love him so much and feel very blessed that he's in my life.

Gracie or ??

While we were in the van yesterday Lucy said, "Mommy, something smells. It stinks in here...do you smell it? It really, really stinks." I jokingly said, "Well it's not me." And she said with disgust, "It's either Gracie...or...a pig."

The Boys

The boys are all home and well. They all slept GREAT last night. Things are running so smoothly this morning that I'm even able to blog a little. Missed my little guys. Vaughn - Mr. Intense - definitely seemed the happiest to see me...his big smile and kicking feet were so welcoming. That's just his personality though.

Pee Pee in the Potty

That's what we chant when our kids use the potty while they are learning. That's what we were chanting Sunday night when Gracie used it on her own - with maybe some encouragement from Lucy. She was in the bathtub and Lucy started yelling that Gracie went potty. We thought she peed in the tub. She hasn't gone again since...but she's tried. We told Lucy that every time she helps Grace, when Gracie goes they'll both get pee pee candy. So Lucy has been very motivated to help her.

All Mommy Wants for Christmas is a Silent Night

Jamie's mom knows me well. She bought the boys these cute onesies! Darling!!