I took 2 pictures of Christmas.

We had so much fun I forgot to get out the camera. Our Christmas in a nutshell: Gabbi gnawed on things.
Bella's sleeping beauty dreams have all come true. Bern's many wishes were granted as well.

On Monday, Bern made a snow ball. Today he added to it.

We had a good Christmas, just busy. We are blessed with lots of fun family functions, but it can be a bit hard when you have a baby in tow. The kids (and mommy and daddy) received lots of great presents, delicious food was consumed, and fun was had by all. Hope your Christmas was joyous too!

Gabbi's discovered her toes.

They are good for staring at, and inserting into mouths.

But they were a bit slippery.

So we used hands instead.

When the dirt is really bad...

Gabbi's 4 months!

To celebrate she had a check-up and 2 shots:( She is weighing in at 15 lbs, 12 oz. Oink oink.
She is blowing raspberries, trying to roll over, grabbing things and mouthing them, and using her voice for happy yelling. She is a sweet baby, but has been showing signs of reflux. She's been hard to feed and sleeping less (among other things) and we are going to try some medicine to see if that helps. She loves her brother and sister, and they are always wanting to hug/hold/smother her. She would like milk for Christmas.

Bella's preschool had an Advent service, she really enjoyed singing but looked a little skeptical while doing it. She really loves her preschool and likes to learn. She seems to be taking after daddy on the education front. She would like anything sleeping beauty for Christmas this year, with a little snow white on the side.

First snow of the year, nice big flakes but nothing stuck. Bern is very anxious to wear his new snow boats, he's been breaking them in around the house. He would like some real tools from Santa, so he can wreak further havoc upon our home.

Cabin Fever

Bella spent 9 hours in a swimsuit the other day, in December.

Tis the Season

For ginger bread house building.

Do to the tough economic times, we hired a non-union contractor. If you look closely you'll see that this house has a skylight.

And had some other problems.

So we gave up on the house and moved onto gingerbread men.

Breakfast with Santa

Only we didn't have breakfast, because Mommy forgot her checkbook and had no cash. Classic Mommy. But, the kids had already eaten anyway, and the line for the pancakes was super long, so we just did crafts and saw Santa. Bella was afraid of him, so Bern relayed the message that she wanted some sleeping beauty stuff. On Bern's list: a rubber sword, a stuffed power ranger (for the 3rd year in a row, I'm not sure why Santa doesn't bring him one already) and something else power ranger. Note-the boy has never seen a power ranger show, not sure why he loves them so.

I love this picture, and how Bern is playing with Santa's beard.

Bella was cranky about having to wait her turn for the sprinkles.

Still waiting, still cranky.

That's enough sprinkles Bernie!

We got pancakes from McDonald's on the way home, because they accept major credit cards.

Christmas Cutie

Our Christmas Angel

It's hard to believe that last year we were just finding out the we were expecting her, and it felt great to hang up 5 stockings this year. Our family feels complete to me now. One of my friends was saying that it's hard to be "done" having babies, because your identity is "mom to small children" for so long, and suddenly those children grow up a bit. I love having a baby in the house, but it is a challenge to really be there for each child and I think that any more than 3 (for us) would be difficult.

I've started the holiday baking and am already sugared out. I really want to start a weight loss program, but it seems so futile this time of year. The older kids are so excited, we are counting down the days on their (chocolate) advent calendars, courtesy of Aunt Phyllis.

Elfie is also back , keeping a watchful eye on the children's behavior. Yesterday Bella was being a bit snotty and I told her Elfie was watching, she later proclaimed she didn't want to "do" Christmas anymore because she was tired of Elfie telling Santa about her naughtiness. I wonder if she realizes that maybe she could just be good, and still get the presents?