Christmas 2011, #3

It's hard to tell here, but the Old Navy elf brought the trio a set of Elmo onesies in their stockings. They were thrilled - they kept pointing to their bellies and saying "elmo" all day.


This afternoon we had a skype call with Jason's dad and stepmom (Papa and Mema)for our third Christmas celebration. Unfortunately we forgot to take pictures until toward the end, so most of the pics show the aftermath.

Presents! Zoey especially has the hang of gifts now - when she saw the boxes she said "Santa! Presents!"

Lucas and Abby loved looking at the screen and pointing at Papa and Mema. And looking at the pics of themselves in the Elmo shirts. :)


We also got another set of baby doll furniture and baby dolls. We are so glad to have a second baby doll stroller - the fights were getting out of hand with just one! If there's one rule with multiples, it's that having more than one of the same item is NEVER a bad thing!

All the kids loved their baby dolls and doll furniture, but Zoey really took to them right away. She especially loves feeding her baby.


Guess that's it for now...off to put away all the toys...

Christmas 2011 videos

Here's everyone seeing the presents under the tree for the first time.


Playing with their new train table


They love their cat piano

Christmas 2011, #2

Although Zoey first woke up at 4, she came into bed with us and stayed relatively quiet until the others woke up at 6:30. We were grateful the day didn't start at 5, as it has way too often lately.

A sleepy start to the day.

Presents! Yay!

Zoey preferred to open her presents wearing just a diaper. Loving her lawn mower.

Showing their presents to Uncle Dane

Abby loves her Abigail Rabbit.

Lucas loves his latches board. Open! Close! Open! Close!




Cuddling with Grandma Di

When Zoey finally agreed to get dressed, she chose Lucas' Halloween costume and pink leg warmers. Here's a pic of dragon girl pushing her doll stroller.


After presents it was time to eat monkey bread. The kids loved it.


In the afternoon my parents and brother came over for a big meal.

Zoey only agreed to wear her fancy dress if she could keep her pink leggings on.




Playing with Uncle Peter. Abby only agreed to wear her fancy dress if she could keep her jammie pants on.


Playing amidst the clutter


This was the best we could do for a family pic.


The high chairs were on the floor because we had to use the dining room chairs for the grown-ups. The kids loved being able to climb into their chairs themselves.


By the end of the day, Lucas made his way into the doll pack n'play


Whew! It was a busy, tiring day. We're ready for some relaxation...not sure when that will happen!

p.s. Happy 21 Months to the Trio!

Christmas Eve 2011

OK, a couple of Christmas Eve Eve pictures before we move on to the real Eve.

On Friday the kids ate dinner with us, which is a rare event, since they usually eat earlier than we do. It went quite well.


Friday night bedtime stories


We had a relaxed day on Christmas Eve, with lots of book-reading, napping, and eating. I even took a 2.5 hour nap - I can't remember the last time I did that!

Reading with Grandma Di


The girls' hair is finally long enough for pigtails, and they are finally leaving them alone when I put them in. It's a big milestone!


In the afternoon, we all went over to my parents' house for appetizers and eggnog.

Music time. Later on my mom and dad gave a very nice violin/dulcimer/piano concert.


Abby singing along to cookbooks.


The pigtails are killing me with cuteness


Lucas had fun piling on top of Zoey, and she didn't even mind.


After we got home and got everyone to bed, it was time to prepare for the big day!

Brothers sporting their coordinating winter hats.


We had already assembled and wrapped everything earlier in the week (yay us!) so all we had to do was arrange the presents under the tree. The guys built a wall of cardboard bricks around the presents.

Christmas 2011, #1

This morning we had our first of three Christmas celebrations. My parents and brother came over to open presents and have "brunch" (frozen breakfast sandwiches and coffee - no time to cook!). The kids had a great time ripping paper, discovering new toys, and then fighting over new toys. Apparently we're going to need 3 of everything. :)


Look at all these presents!

Hat-Dad, Meme, and Uncle Peter enjoyed helping them open presents

Lucas found a place to perch

Doing a little shopping

Zoey enjoying the new doll accessories


Exploring their new train table

Peter and I had fun trying to perfect the track arrangement.

Zoey found a quiet place to examine her train car

Cooperating??


Good thing we have a couple of days to recover before Christmas #2!

Breakfast with Santa

This morning we took the trio to a small local restaurant for a breakfast with Santa. We chose this route because we feared that a mall Santa would terrify the kids and that there would be a crazy long line. I think it was the best choice - the kids could sit back and observe Santa for as long as they needed to, and the didn't have to sit on his lap. Plus we got to eat some pancakes and drink coffee. :)

Here Comes Santa Claus!

Zoey was intrigued when Santa first walked in (they were all kind of stunned)...

...but then she got scared by his loud "ho ho ho"

Abby was the first to approach Santa.

Lucas watched Santa very seriously during the whole breakfast and finally tiptoed near him a couple of times.

By the end of the meal Zoey was willing to get this close to Santa

Trying to actually eat something while at a restaurant with the kids - ha!


Afterwards, we realized we hadn't really talked with them about Santa and didn't have any Santa books. But they mentioned Santa off and on all day so I guess he made an impression. Maybe next year we'll make it to the mall...or maybe this breakfast will become our new tradition.