Christmas Eve

We had an awesome Christmas Eve.  Last night we wrapped the presents from Grandma and Grandpa and left them under the tree.  The kids were very excited to have the first gifts for them appear.  Jessenia declared that Santa had come.  Brisbane came to me to tell me that Santa had left him presents.
B:  Mom, Santa was here!
Me:  Really?

B:  Yes, there are presents!
Me:  Are you sure?
B: Yes!
Me:  Those are from Grandma and Grandpa.
B:  Grandma was here!
Me:  Do you really think Grandma was here?
B:  Yes.  With Grandpa!
Me:  <laughing>
B:  They came in a sled!
Me:  Grandma came with Grandpa last night in a sled?
B:  Yep.
Those grandparents are slick, but I don't think they are that slick.  Next time they decide to drop in via sled, they should stick around for a hug.

 

I had to run out first thing this morning and buy a few last minute things (one of which was tape... do you know how many presents we have for a family of seven!?  Ridiculous!  We are cutting back next year!).  Then Mack took a few kids to "work" to check in since we didn't take leave and the military doesn't trust us. 
I convinced the kids that Santa wouldn't come unless the house was clean.  I got a clean house out of this deal.  We spent a good portion of the day working towards this goal.  Merry Christmas to me!
Last night we took a box of treats to each of our neighbors.  The kids thought it was Awe-Some and we had a little lesson about how service makes us feel happy.  Brisbane wanted to run home and get more cookies to give to random neighbors.  We reserved icing some cookies for Santa for tonight though.  We took the Laid-Back-We-Now-Have-Five-Kids approach to this and just let the kids do whatever they wanted.  Here are the results

 We may or may not have let the kids eat cookies for dinner.  Reese is still working on his main course of candy canes.

 Brisbane just likes the icing straight out of the bowl.  Sorry Santa.

 We warned the kids that the sprinkles come out fast...

 the boys did not listen.

"And that is why we don't let you put salt on your own food."  Wise words spoken from their father.



 After cookie decorating, it was jammer time.  Look at all those kids looking AT the camera.  Miracle!

 Ripping in.

 Della loves Jessenia's paper.

 We are dog sitting.  "Hi, Lincoln!"

 Slippers came this year.  We never needed those in Arizona.  We NEED them here.

 There I am...

 Reese with lightning bolts and sharks eating his feet.

 Jessenia pretty in pink.  She looooved her owl slippers.

Brisbane in head to ankle giraffes.

 Della has a reindeer.

 And Miriam is Merry and Bright. (She refuses to even attempt to stand on her own.)

 Love these kids.  After we were all snuggled into our jammers, we watched How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Merry Christmas, Charlie Brown.  Then it was time to read the nativity from Luke 2.  After that we scooted the babies off to bed and read Christmas books until the craziness had worn down and we had tired kiddos.  Brilliant plan.
I love the Christmas season and this time to give and teach my kids about service and the importance of Christ's birth.  He was born in a stable for me, for each of them, and for you.  I am so thankful for His birth, His life, and His perfect example.  Merry Christmas!

I Sure Do Like Those Christmas Cookies...

Mack took the big kids to the movies so that I could get some wrapping done.  I had to finish some cookie baking and get Della and Miriam down for a nap first....

 "What is this?"

 "Pretty good..."
Love the arm through the beater technique there.

 "DELICIOUS!  I'm not giving this thing up!"
And I had to swap a cookie for the beater so that Miriam could have a try.

 "Hmmm... what's this all about!"

 "Yummy!"
Miriam liked it but anytime I get down to take a picture she wants to crawl to me.  It was a major internal struggle between Mom and the beater.  She hasn't learned to walk and so she couldn't get to me with the beater still in her hands.

"Cookies are good too, Mom!"

Birthday Trifecta

This whole three birthdays on one day thing is exhausting.  This was my rookie year so I feel like it can really only go up.  I will for sure at least have the cake making supplies purchased before the day of next time.  Good thing Della and Miriam had no idea it was their birthday and Mack is chill.  Here are some pictures from the big day.  I love my little family.
This is a bit of a major photo dump.  It's for Grandma, sorry everyone.



 I had to get one picture before Miriam puked all over herself.  Look at those big 1 year olds!

 And in about .5 seconds they were on the move.  I have to be FAST!

 Della is walking EVERYWHERE!  And so proud of herself.

 One minute Miriam is happy...

 and the next she is Mandrake Miriam.

 Couldn't get Della to not crawl to Daddy.

 Sorry about the drool...

 Miriam got into the spirit of unwrapping a bit more than Della.

 Della mostly just liked the paper.

 But when you have a twin, there is always someone to push you out of the way and get things done.

 Hi Little D!

 Miriam was all about it now.  "Get that paper off!"

 And Della didn't mind the paper, as long as she could still reach the toy inside.

 "YEAH!  Victory!"

 Oh yes, it was Mack's birthday too.  Love a man in uniform!

 Sweet birthday friends!

 One cake for Della.

 A different cake for Miriam.

 And a third for Mack.  The candles are backwards from this perspective, but that's 37 in binary.  My brother in law tells me it is some sort of computer language.  Whatever Dean says, I believe.  For me it just means fewer candles to light.  Win!

 Della is a meticulous eater.

 Miriam was testing the waters...

 and then went for it!

 Miriam thought Zippy might like some.

 "Who?  Me!"

 Hi Bright Eyes!

Love you, girls!  (and Mack)*

We all feel a little bit badly about Mack being the afterthought birthday.  But he got to choose where we went out to dinner.  I love you, Babe!