New Years Eve

New Years Eve this year was spent first at our friends Sarah and Steve's house at their annual party. The camera was left in the car for that portion of the night though. We had fun visiting with friends and eating yummy food as always.

From there we headed over to the dance with music provided by the Freeman Brothers. It was really fun to watch my dad perform with all 4 of the brothers together. It was also fun to see and visit with out of town Freeman's who were visiting for the occasion!

Elsie's 4th birthday!

Now that Elsie's birthday is officially one month behind us, I thought I would post some pictures from her special day!

After her present hunt, which I took zero pictures of, we had her request of cinnamon rolls for breakfast!







We had a low key day at home playing with her new toys, mainly her dress up clothes, shoes and accessories!

Around lunch time we got dressed in real clothes and went to the grocery store to buy something for lunch and for ingredients to make her cake.

She chose lunchables for lunch with capri-sun and fruit snacks. I wasn't too surprised! I was so tired of cake by this point and was able to convince her of a rice crispy cake so we bought marshmallows and rice crispies.

But before all that we had to pose for some birthday pictures!

None of these poses were prompted by me.









After our lunch, we played some more, made her birthday cake, and waited for Daddy to come home so we could go out to eat at Red Robin before her party. We had 4 free kids meal coupons and this was the perfect time to put them to use!







As our guests started to arrive she decided that proper birthday attire was one of her new dress-up outfits.













She loved being the center of attention and having all of her wishes granted... and just like last year she came running into my room crying the next morning because "Charlotte said it's not my birthday anymore!"

What we've been laughing at this week.....

Last week Charlotte stormed into the house, covered in mud (and very unhappy about it), yelling to Aaron "you don't know ANYTHING about girls!!"

........

Elsie has made some improvisations on the song "Baa Baa Black Sheep" Here is her version:

Blah Blah Black sheep, have you seen the boys?
Yes sir, yes sir, three black boys.
One for my master, one for my king, one for my little one who lives down the lane.
Blah blah black sheep have you seen the boys?
yes sir, yes sir, three black boys.

She sings this song everyday and ignores all attempts to learn the real words. Luckily she hasn't been singing it in public!

Christmas Morning

We try to keep Christmas pretty simple around here. We tell Santa to only leave one gift for each child, we get new pajamas, new games to play together, new books, and fun little treats in our stockings. (Of course the kids are always spoiled by Grandmas and Grandpas, Aunties and Uncles)

This year I took an idea from Design Mom and each kid made a gift for each sibling. It was really fun! I went on a special shopping trip with each child and they got to stay up late one night after everyone else was in bed and work on their presents with mom. Aaron made a necklace and bracelet for each of his sisters. He chose the beads and the design and did most of the stringing himself. Charlotte decorated a pair of gloves for everyone with glow in the dark paint, ribbons, and jewels. They turned out very cute! Elsie made bean bags for everyone (herself included) that we keep in the freezer to soothe a bump or a scrape. She picked out fabric specifically for each sibling, I cut and sewed the fabric into rectangles, and then she filled the bags with beans. I think that next year Lila will be able to get involved too! Daddy helped them wrap their gifts. They were so excited to give their gifts, and they all really loved everything they received!

Santa didn't disappoint either. Charlotte and Elsie have been hoping for American girl dolls since last January. I had two when I was little and I may have helped fuel their desire! I was sad to learn that they no longer make the Kirsten or Samantha dolls that I had, but now they have dolls with all color and types of eyes, hair and skin. The girls were dying to have a doll that looked just like them. They thought that Lila would probably like one too and asked for a "Lila doll" for her as well.

Santa was kind enough to leave each girl a doll and pajamas too. Mrs. Clause (according to Charlotte) made the pajamas out of matching fabric with their Christmas pajamas! (Or at least as close as Mrs. Clause could find at Joanne's)



Aaron asked for a real bow and arrow and Santa obliged! He had so much fun all day practicing, we did loose one arrow over the fence though. (Luckily no one was hurt!)

He picked it up really quickly and had pretty good aim!

















I managed to keep Nicks new smart phone a surprise! He wasn't expecting it at all!! I didn't capture his surprised face, but he really was!



Grandpa Don came over with another big surprise. He had a beautiful Christmas dress for each girl....and a matching dress for each of their dolls! (He also brought a remote controlled helicopter for Aaron which was a huge hit!)







Lila refused to pose with her sisters... little stinker.













We had a fabulous Christmas. Jodi and Joe came later in the day and stayed for a few hours. Other family filtered in and out. We stayed home all day relaxing and playing with new toys. The day, and month for that matter, ended too quickly. Aaron has already begun the countdown until next Christmas!

Christmas Eve

This first picture of Aaron reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas was actually from the night before, but I really love it.



We had everyone over for Christmas Eve again this year. We had a yummy Mexican feast and then a piano recital for Aaron and Charlotte. Aaron started taking lessons in June and really took off! In September we switched teachers (we loved his first teacher, but she lived very far away and she was raising her rates) to Aunt LaRee and we started Charlotte (who was dying to take lessons)as well.











After their recital we opened our Christmas pj's and a few more presents from those we wouldn't see the next day.





Then it was off to bed for the kiddos and off to the studio for big kids! Nick and Christian stayed home watching Lord of the Rings.







We played around for about an hour, then I headed back home to make sure to be in bed before Santa came... per Elsie's orders!