Sentimental Moments

When I heard this song (from the Breaking Dawn Soundtrack) it made me think of my girls and how fundamentally they have changed my life. So I got all sappy and sat down to make a picture montage of them. They LOVED it- they laughed as they pointed to each other's baby pictures. And I got a visual display of how much I love being a mom.

Christmas Morning

We had a wonderful Christmas morning. We started by placing the Christ child in the manger where the girls have been placing pieces of yarn to make it softer for the baby. They get to put a piece in every time the did an act of secret service. We really wanted the girls to get into the true meaning of Christmas and it also helped diminish some of the arguing in our home for the week before Christmas.

Moira was a bit put off that the presents were right there and she had to pose with the nativity.

And then on to presents. Grace got the biggest gift this year (box wise, which is the only thing that matters at this age)

Violet's first present of the morning.
This is what Violet did most of the morning.

The girls all ready for church. Such beauties, all of them!

For dinner I cooked a full turkey dinner with all the trimmings and we had our friends the Estrada's over. We were having a great time catching up until Liliana threw up. And then Violet. Grace followed after bedtime (course she didn't make it to the toilet, so I got to clean up Hawaiian Punch dyed turkey out of the carpet while Kaylon sat with her). Kaylon came next and I finally blew at 2am. Moira only escaped because she had the pukes Wednesday night. So we have had the laziest day after Christmas ever- basically we just made sure that the kids were fed, after they were able to keep food down, of course.

And now that I have thoroughly grossed everyone out- Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas Eve

We were lucky enough when we moved to join the ward where our old friends the Smiths live. Both our families moved to Montgomery Village the same week 6 years ago and that year we spent Christmas Eve together. So it was fun to spend Christmas Eve with them this year along with another fun family in our ward and to see how our families have grown.

This year we did a potluck dinner, the kids acted out the nativity story, and we sang some Christmas songs. Lots of fun, friendship, and laughs. I have video but it's not loading- I'll have to try again later.

When we got home we opened certain presents from Grandma Susie (PJ's!) and exchanged presents as a family. The threat of Santa not coming until they were asleep had them running to their beds and even demanding that we do the same. Kaylon and I instead stayed up to put bows on presents and watch White Christmas together- one of our traditions. Still we got to bed at a good time- making this Christmas Eve just about perfect.

Sugar Cookies 2011

We decorated and delivered a bunch of sugar cookies on Christmas Eve in McInelly fashion. Grace was very artistic, Liliana made as many as she could, and Moira liked the sprinkles- A LOT. Pop and Grandma Brandi came down and helped as well to add to the fun.

Welcome Soldier!

And we have army crawling! I love this age because they LOVE doing things- they love being able to move, and find things, and go places. You can see the excitement in their eyes- and they smile all the time... course nothing is safe on the floor, and whatever you don't want them to find, they will. But it's fun! Even though she's our fourth- it's still as amazing as the first.

My New Favorite Thing to Say

One of the reasons that I love the girls being in school is because I only need to take 2 girls grocery shopping with me. You'd be amazed at how easy 2 girls are vs 4! The funny thing is that I still get the looks of amazement and comments about how my hands are full (remember this?). My new response to them?

This is only half. :) hehe.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas!

Hehe... That in one well-loved branch!