First Hair Cut...

Just before the New Year, Eli got his new do.  We decided it was time to cut off the baby hair when I found myself playing with it and putting it into pony tails with my hands.... woops!!

It went rather well, and I have no pictures of the actual cutting process, since he was sitting on my lap at the barber shop.  We both needed a good dusting after it was all done!

Christmas Day!

At our house Christmas came and went in about a half an hour... as you can see starting at about 7:07am. 

This is how we do it:  each kid gets 3 gifts, after all Jesus only got 3 gifts! They also buy something small for each other and "Santa" brings one gift for all of them to share.  Bryant and I don't buy each other gifts, usually we get one big gift together.  Except this year... last minute decision to not get a combined gift resulted in a pair of boots for me and a gift card for him!!

The gifts

Nathan: Kreo Optimus Prime, Ben 10 omnitrix and a Nerf gun

Gracie: The Band Perry CD, Princess Celestia from My Little Pony, and a Madame Alexander doll

Elijah: Power Wheels 4 wheeler, Whinnie the Pooh book and a Mater toy from the movie Cars

And Santa brought lots of fun craft stuff!

Eli immediately said, "ball", then dropped and kicked it!... this was from Gracie.

She calls this her American Girl doll.... only it's 1/2 the price!

Oh, the nights this guy would lay in bed hoping and wishing for this gift!!  Not to mention the numerous times he told us he wanted it followed by the begging for information as to whether he was actually getting it!

Merry Christmas 2011!!

Christmas Eve...

Our Christmas Eve was spent at our house with several of our close friends as we celebrated the birth of Jesus over brunch.  Then later in the day we sang Christmas carols and Bryant told the Christmas story from the Bible around the Christmas tree.  After that followed our tradition of opening stockings.  Once the kids were tucked in tight, it was time for us to get to work with the hard stuff: placing presents under the tree and eating cupcakes.  I believe we followed this with some hot chocolate and a movie!

Merry Christmas!!

Oh, Christmas Tree...

Every year our church puts on a Living Christmas Tree production.   Imagine a Christmas tree filled with music synchronized lights and a choir.  On the stage next to it, a drama.  There are actually a few other churches in the DC area that have a Living Christmas Tree as their community outreach during the Christmas season also. 

(Try to ignore the giant head in the middle of the pictures.)

After the performance, we headed downtown to look at the National Christmas Tree.  It was late, but we were already out and probably about 1/2 way there from our house anyways.



All the kids just LOVED the trains!

And lately, when it comes to our Christmas tree.  Well, let's just say that all the ornaments are on the top half of the tree and the lights and ribbon look all askew.  I actually am very much looking forward to when Christmas is over so that we can take it down... it is driving me crazy!  And while there are no presents under our tree yet, on occasions you can find a charming little boy.

Tis the Season...

December is here!  And so is the Christmas decor!  We have too much decorations for me to walk around the house and take pictures of everything, so. . . here are just the main events.

The wreath.  I needed a new wreath for the front door, but I did not want to pay the $30 or so price for one.  So, instead a trip to Michael's and $11 later. . .  we got this baby.



This year it was Nathan's turn to place the star on top of the family tree.  Next year, hopefully Eli will be ready.

Little man, putting a toy soldier on the family tree.

Finished.  Bryant doesn't like to put on the bottom branches, so that there is more room for presents.  After looking at this photo, I think that next year there will be bottom branches on the tree.  I don't like all the openness.

The kids' tree. (and a glimpse of our mantle)

Goodbye Indiana, Hello Virginia.

We had such a fabulous time visiting our family in Indiana. We can't wait to see them all again!  It was a sad goodbye... I'm serious.  It was so hard to put the kids to bed the night before we left because they were all crying!

 Thankfully, in about 4 weeks they will all see each other again!

This was the "let's be happy" picture.  Julia told me that if I was taking a sad picture that she would be the winner for the saddest person!