Play play play

We had a relaxing time the whole time my family was here. They was lots of playing, lots of laughter and just enjoying each other. Mike and I had several times during the week to spend alone while the kids delighted in playing with my family. Mike and my Dad watched the kiddos several times so the girls could go shopping and to a local tea house for a special Christmas tea. I feel like I barely saw the kids because they were too busy playing with everyone. Mike and my Dad cleaned and reorganized the garage making it so much more useful. Everyone loved on each other encouraged each other, and helped to make the week go smoothly. Lucky was a riot and Will and Nate added dog dog (their name for Lucky) and arf arf to everyday vocabulary.

Laughing our way through Christmas

We had a fantastic Christmas. It was wonderful to have Geema, Bumpa, Auntie Alli, and Lucky here for the whole week. On Christmas we opened gifts sporadically through the day so the boys could enjoy each gift. A play tent was a huge favorite and Geema tried out the tunnel while Lucky attached her face with kisses. The boys enjoyed running out the tent screaming. Auntie Alli hid under the slide while D tried to hide with her. D took each person to his room over the week to have alone time to play. We watched the Packers beat the Bears! It was relaxing and full of laughter. It was awesome.

Derek is 4!

Our Derek is 4! We had a great morning playing. D opened some legos that he and Daddy built. Then after lunch we went to pick up Geema, Bumpa, and Auntie Allli! They took an early flight to get here to see D on his birthday. They also brought a fun surprise for D- Lucky. We sent Lucky to live with my parents when I was pregnant with the littles. She was a great addition for the week. D opened more gifts in the afternoon. Then we had decorate your own cupcakes. Chocolate and cake are what a birthday is all about- according to D. We are so proud of the fantastic sweet polite, hysterical, and fun boy D is.

Christmas program

Derek was a star for his Christmas program at school. Different classes sang different songs around the Christmas story being said. D in his usual form did not sing during the program. He waved to us and yelled hi daddy several times. It was a riot. Of course at home he sings the songs but not in public. Silly kid. The program was adorable and I laughed my way through it. Here is D holding teacher Dawn's hand. D loves his teachers and they are such a blessing to us.

Snowflakes

Derek loves craft time. He wanted to make some ornaments for grandparents and aunts. He also wanted to make snowflakes for them to hand in their windows like we had in ours. Will and Nate painted while D worked on his project. Both set of snowflakes came out very cute.

Will has glasses too

Will needed glasses as well. We are very thankful for the follow-ups that let us know any issues we need to address. Will threw his glasses off every 10 seconds the first day. Within a few days, he was letting them alone. Will's glasses are a light blue (Nate's are royal blue). Within 10 days of getting his new glasses, WIll was picking out books to look at too now that everything close up is no longer blurry. Our sweet Will looks adorable in his glasses.

The Christmas story

Derek is really into the Christmas story. We have been using the little people set, a wall hanging with a different part of the story each day, and finger puppets. Thanks Geema for all the wonderful different sets. Will and Nate really like the puppets too. They are all fun ways to keep the focus on Jesus' birth instead of the busyness that is all around us.

Icky

Will and Nate were sick. Nate had a very high fever and Will had a cold. They just wanted to snuggle. Eventually they both fell asleep - each one laying on my leg. We moved them a bit and this is how nap time ended up. Thankfully they are all feeling better.

It's a steamie!

MIke had off last Thursday and Friday so we had a great long weekend. On Friday, Mike and D went to the children's museum. I stayed home with Will and Nate because they were sick.

Then on Friday night, Mike and D went on a train ride on a steam engine. D was super-excited. D loves everything about trains and steam engines (like Thomas) are his favorite. Then had a great ride looking at the lights. It was a special evening for the big boys.

My little sweeties

Sweater weather!

It has been cold for Portland the last few days- the highs are only in the 30's and low 40's. For church we put the boys in fun and warm sweaters. They all looked so cute that I decided to snap a few photos.

5 years

Today we celebrated our 5 year anniversary. Will wanted us to celebrate by getting up at 4 AM. By 5 everyone was in our bed. At 6 we gave up and got up. It was a day straight out of the sitcom. Everyone was super crabby in the afternoon. They were so crabby Mike and I just laughed. After a yummy take-out dinner we put the crabbies to bed and had a fantastic (and quiet) evening alone. It was awesome to watch the Badgers win and earn a spot to the Rose Bowl against Oregon. Then on Sunday the Packers won too. 12-0 baby!

I love my Mike. He is a great husband and father. It is a joy and a blessing to married to such a wonderful man.

Decorating the tree

MIke had off Friday so we had a 3 day weekend. He only works 1 full week in a 7 week stretch and we are so excited to have him home with us. On Friday we celebrated by going to Tigard Play Park (D's choice) and to the Lego store (all the boys choice). Then we decorated the tree! Derek put on the ornaments. Will and Nate really enjoyed taking ornaments off the tree. Instead of the elf on the shelf, we have the elf in the tree. They each love trying to find the elf and getting a chocolate chip (one per day per kid- mean mean mommy). Will and Nate needed help in the beginning but now get it and enjoy playing as well.

How many days

Derek is so excited for his birthday and for Geema, Bumpa, and Auntie Alli to come. He has asked so many times that I decided to make a chain for his room. Now he has a countdown.