Our Little Christmas Angel

Patsy looks so sweet in her little Christmas outfit. It was our best Christmas yet:) Everyone came to us this year (just have a baby around the holidays and no driving necessary). The boys loved having their cousins around, all the kids needed crates for the gifts they received from very generous aunties and uncles, and the girls were great little mamas to the baby.

Have at it Boys!

The most surprising thing to me was that the boys put on clothes as they opened them up. Brandon got a Buzz Lightyear sweat outfit and squealed then ripped his PJ pants off chanting, "Buzz, buzz, buuzzz."

Patsy Girl!

She's very intrigued by this thing called Christmas.

Nathan's Favorite Gift

WOW...what a happy boy! I wonder how long itwill take Brandon to climb into it as well?

Oh Lance...

you professional you!

Grandpa and Baby Patsy

Grandpa held Patsy the whole time we went through round 2 of gift opening. She's his favorite;-)

Merry Christmas to all...

and to all a goodnight.

Mission Impossible

Well we really tried to get a good shot of the kids in front of the fire before bed on Christmas Eve, but that didn't happen! We tried sitting them all down together-they fought over Patsy. We tried bribery, and they just wanted to be animated and show funny faces. So, you're seeing the best 3 out of about 100:)

Enough already!

I think Patsy thinks we're all crazy. Welcome to the funny farm my dear.

Presents!!!

The warm up before the big day.

Papa & Patsy

David and Patsy looking on as the boys open their one Christmas Eve present.

B. Boy...

those are for Santa!

OOhhhh...aahhh!

Here are a couple of the gifts that should put the boys over the moon this year! Patsy has gotten some wonderful gifts too, but she's happy with the milk alone. I think her gifts are more for me than anyone else-my live dolly:-)

The Children were nestled and snug in their beds...

Now we're just shy one Santa Claus, then all will be well this Christmas Eve:-)

The Family

We've been very fortunate this year as we've had Christmas come early a few different times! We got really LUCKY this year because Geoff, Kathy, Zak and Bella came to visit us on the 23rd! Patsy and Kathy (Auntie K.K.) fell in love. She is sooo good with the kids and definitely has a special touch when it comes to babies (just ask Bella). It was so nice to turn her over (she had one of her fussy nights) and not worry about a thing! Then we all, not any of the other kids stayed around the table chit-chatting until the wee hours of the morning...so nice.

Thanks guys for the visit! We can't wait to see you again soon!

Present Time

The kids were so good, they got to open a few early:)

School Christmas Party

Here is Nathan and his class showing their gifts from the gift exchange. Puzzles all around!

All the way from Chicago!

Look what blew in from the windy city! Mama's croanies from Chicago took good care of Patsy with this lovely basket full of goodies! Thanks guys, we love it:)

Sweetie Pie

Lots and lots of smiles these days. And I love it when she nuzzles her wee head into my neck, so sweet.

Christmas Concert

Nathan's school put on a Christmas concert. That's my little guy in the back row, stage left with the bow tie. I'll download the video from David soon so you can see and hear them in action...the footage is much closer of Nathan. Funny enough, Brandon, Patsy and I got there early (an amazing feat these days) and picked the perfect seats in the front row. Then as the children came out and my son went walking by to the opposite end of the stage (at the Halloween show he would've been right in front of me), I then noticed the teacher's signs directing where each class would be...ahhh, now I see (sleep deprivation, totally). Well, maybe Santa will see how I need that 300mm lens for the rebel. It would've made such a difference...;-)

Winter Wonderland

Head on my Lap

Brandon is being such a good boy. This is his nap time.

Partner Dancing!

Nathan and his partner did quite a job cutting a rug! I thought cotillion wouldn't be for sometime...he may not need it! It must be from all the dancing in the kitchen-see honey;)

Partner Dancing Live!

An Award Winning Performance

Look at that sweet smile. They all did such a wonderful job!

The Babby Boys

Patsy and I love our guys!

Family Shot

It's fun trying to get one of all of us these days!

Side Note: Nathan's snowman is at the 10 o'clock position from my head.

Love, Peace...

and Patsy.

Real Clothes

When Nathan saw her in this outfit he said "Oh she's wearing these kind of clothes now!" I said, "Yes, it's time." I'd love to dress her in one of her little dresses, but it's much too cold out. So she'll be a little prepster for awhile.

I was talking with our friends' Karen and Chris and Karen asked me, "Do you run and change her into a new outfit every 10 minutes?" I told her no because when I did that with Nathan he looked like such a baby ( vs newborn) all of a sudden, it made me miss him somewhat. So, I tend to keep my babies in the little layettes for awhile. Then Chris (a physician) said, "You know Sheila, if you don't feed her as much, she won't grow so fast." Well no need to call the authorities, she's gaining fast, as you can see!

Look at that sweet face...

You're perfect little Patsy girl!

Our Zen Daughter

Ouuuummmmmm. I believe that's the meditation chant. I wouldn't know these days!

Belt Promotion

Nathan was promoted to a white belt with a red stripe. Fabulous dahling...faaaabulous!

Well Done Nathan!!!

Lots of lovin' and praise from the Papa!

Such a Charmer

Brandon is so in touch with the feelings of others, he even tried to make mean karate dummy feel welcome and included.

Vegetarians--NOT!

Meet the carnivores...carnivore David, truly the Daddy of all carnivores, and his two sons. Christmas came early to Creekview Drive as Joe sent his annual Omaha Steaks gift package (and pork chops, hot dogs, fish etc). So these 3 had a ball digging through the loot and exclaiming each menu item. Then Chef Ramsey there fired up the que, (yes, in December...rain doesn't frighten him--charcoal of course, not gas) and we had steak. Tasty!! THANKS Joe, you're the best!

Big Brothers

A lucky little girl is she!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

We went and got our Christmas tree this past weekend. Lots of fun!

The Big Snowman Upon the Hill

I don't know if you can see the two little boys in red on left side of the photo, but they had a ball with ol' Frosty. Being the creative wizards they are (we must always work on using our imagination), they tried to make him into a bounce house as well ( it's important to think outside the box... it's not just a decorative snowman used for marketing purposes). They were running full speed and slamming into his side, nearly giving themselves closed head injuries, and then laughing hysterically--repeat x10. Then they assessed the integrity of the stakes keeping him grounded, they wanted to promote him to that big snowman in the sky, I suppose.

Oh Christmas Tree...

how lovely are thy branches!

Patsy's 1st Christmas Tree

David was teaching our wee one about Christmas trees... what is considered an organically grown tree, a Douglas Fir vs. a Noble Fir (although he uses the latin/botanical names, I couldn't repeat it if I tried) la, la, la--when he looked up and said "Oh no, he's melting."

He's Melting!

I must admit the first words out of my mouth when I saw this was "What did they do?" David looked at me surprised and said, "Sweeetie! They didn't do anything. They're right there playing, nicely."
Sometimes my husband's rose colored glasses are bit more tinted than mine:). I know if they had figured out a way, those boys would've launched that snowman right into oblivion!

AWESOME!!!

"Check it out Nathan!" (Not a whole lot of sympathy from the boys...but a lot of appreciation for spicing up the day)!

Eye Witnesses

The boys give their rendition of exactly what happend. Frosty went down...head first.

Santa's Little Baby

Santa's little baby was just plum tuckered out from all the excitement of the day!

Still Smiling

Patsy is quite the happy baby and enjoys looking all around. She actually seems enthralled with her surroundings.