Day 365/365

New Year's Eve spent with Shannon's family.
Pizza & ice box cake (the goal was~ easy!)
Balloon Volleyball & "Headbands."
We missed the ball drop.
Celebrated anyway.
Our kids were fussy & pouty. On the brink of holiday overload.
We ended the night on a high note with some great dancing. :)
Thank you friends, for putting together a fun evening for our family!

Day 364/465

Manicures for Mama & the Bug so we'll be festive for the New Year.
Hard to see, but Katie chose clear with "sprinkles."
That little hand just keeps growing & growing!

363/365

Sweetness.

Day 362/365

After receiving some Play-doh at a birthday party today, the Bug was inspired to play for nearly 2 hours. 
Mama joined in for a bit too.

Day 361/365

I love opening the mail this time of year.
I feel blessed to know so many wonderful people.
(Blog reading friends, can you find your picture?) :)
Though I will not be taking these down any time soon, I'll be sad to not see them each day.
(The Christmas Mail holder is from my childhood. 
Mom made it out of felt & sequins and I have always loved it).

Day 360/365

Go Blazers!
Mike, Isaiah, Dan & Matthew took in a Blazer game.
Blazers won!
Definitely a treat of an outing for my boys.

Day 359/365

Lots of favorite photos from Christmas day. Photo overload. Can't choose just one.



Katie received her "big girl bike!"



Andrew was thrilled over his game. Matthew has taken to wearing a serious expression most of the time when he takes in something new.  But he was really happy.  Notice how he stands back and surveys the scene?  Andrew jumps in.  So them.



First things first. Jammie pictures!



I love my family. SO, so lucky....



Nana too!



Let the gifts begin! I scored this for $2.90 after Halloween at Target. Am regretting the purchase as we've had some major fits over having to change out of it.



Andrew's gift to Daddy. :)



And mine, from Matthew. Does it get any better than,"Me + You = Special" ?

I think not.



Matthew was thrilled over this ~ us to. Make fun things out of the Legos you already have!



Andrew has wanted this Lego set for SO long.



It's been visited a lot at the store. Now it's at our house!



Sweet girl.



I made a book out of Matthew's first grade art.



I have to say, it turned out really cute. (Can I also add that I got it for free & just had to pay shipping? I was such the bargain shopper this Christmas!)



He looked through it and told us about all the art...it was great.



I saved these two gifts for last & love this photo sequence.



Notice Matthew checking out to see what Andrew got?



And then Andrew doing the same?



Think they were happy?
Love it.  :)



The ipad.  AKA.  The other woman.  :)



Time for stockings!
You can see the cheerleader uniform is already in effect.



Super Matthew!



A sensory toy.




It's the little things.



A little girl bracelet.



and a big girl bracelet. Dan hit a homerun.



There was lots of bike riding in the house.
It was Christmas, after all.



Gifts back under the tree until they are slowly put away.



My mind can't quite wrap itself around this yet.



But then my heart will always be about 2 steps behind.



So excited to fly his helicopter from Mike & Michelle.



We managed to dress for dinner around 2 or 3. :)
Prime rib.
Yorkshire pudding.
Baked potatos.
Green salad.
Life is going to be rough when Christmas is over!  :)



I asked, "Who wants a picture with Mama?"



"Me!"



"Me!"



"Me!"

A quiet, lovely day.

Day 358/365

Christmas Eve brunch.
Simple fruit & favorite egg/french toast casseroles.
Gifts with my brother's family.

Favorite photos of the day.....



Can you feel the love?







Gifts!
Each child opened a gift at the same time.



Think Katie liked her gift from Aunt Michelle?



How much do we love Noah?



Watching the gift opening.



Angry Birds were a big hit.











A special gift...Aunt Linda's childhood ring.



Off to church!
5:00 Children's service.
"Silent Night" with glow sticks were the best.



Delicious dinner at Mike & Michelle's.
I was introduced to miniature lobsters.
I didn't know what I was missing! Mmmmmmmm.
Michelle was looking quite glamorous.


Santa came!!!





Andrew has the best reactions.





(Noah opted to pass on Santa's lap).



"The Night Before Christmas" & "The Angel of Nazareth"



Merry Christmas to All & To All a Good Night!