christmas cards

i've tried to get ahead of the game for some things this year, as we are often in such a hustle & bustle time around here this time of the year (holidays, birthdays, etc.)  we had the tree up before thanksgiving - something i thought i'd never do.  oh, never say never.  & oh, it was so nice to come home saturday night after thanksgiving & plug in those lights to our decorated tree.

tonight, the kiddos dressed up & gave me their best poses for our christmas cards.  these 2 are hams, it was fun & i think we got one that works.  here's some several of our outtakes:

hello, tall man (her middle finger stuck up).

wishing you peace this christmas.

hark, the herald angels scream!

i don't know what to say about this one..

ben is the funniest brother in the world!

rockin around the christmas tree

huggies!

mr. muscles

this was a contender

big cheese!

peek-a-boo!

you wanna mess with my brother? i don't think so.

she's choking me!

throw your hands up!

throw your hands up!

& the winner for this years card is... 

just beautiful i think!  

jingle bell rock..

today was the christmas program at preschool.  aunt deedee & paul came to watch their kids in action.   all the kiddos did a fab job, singing & acting out all the songs.  it was way too cute! 

mr. too tall jones was sitting in the front row blocking my view from the 3rd row of ben, so most of his pictures have that man's head or video camera in it.

one of big ben in between the big men.

gracie sang her heart out & knew all the motions.
why her eyes are so red, i don't know.  red eye reduction won't even touch it!!

gracie the kitty

 it was so beautiful to see such a large group of kiddos singing christmas carols to god. 

after the show enjoying cookies!!

i'll have to download some of the show later.  i'm sure the agents will be calling to sign up these rockstars!!

picking up auntie jen

we went to the airport to get auntie jen before christmas.  it's become tradition to all go & greet her at the airport. 

ben colored in his sign camoflauge, but you can see it says welcome jenny!

no pictures of the pickup for repect of auntie

christmas with the cooks & tassells & hagemeyers!!

oh what fun it is! 

here's a BIG family picture of us all. it's fun to see how much everyone changes each holiday.

here's our bunch. i'm glad we did this at the beginning, because at the end of the night poor gracie was feeling a bit rough (can't get rid of this monster cough).  she didn't want to leave & was crying, hanging on to the bannister begging to stay between coughs.  i think we stayed a bit too long, like daddio said.  sorry cooks!

ben could not wait to get there saturday.  all day, "is it time yet?" 
"no, not yet"
5 minutes later "is it time yet? it will be all over before we even get there!!"

all the youngins together.  i think allie looks just like janet in this!!

looks like almost a perfect snowflake - with a pillow being thrown.  thanks brad :)

of course, funny faces!

gramma dee dee & aubie jo.  & no, the girls don't dress that way normally (at least they say).  they dug through their mom's closet for ugly xmas shirts. 

papaw paul & sweet al.  lovin all the curls on you gals!

sweet sisters.



these 3 look like they could all be brother & sisters!!  ben wishes darby was his older sis too!

the kiddos waiting in anticipation for the gifts.  love gracie's excitment.

take 2

the kiddos loved singing karaoke & it was just fun to visit together & of course play balderdash!! (on an island, dee dee)

a great start for our holiday festivities!

moses

here's my little moses

she decided she wanted to be moses for christmas.  um, ok. 

& earlier they were playing with their nativity scene,  ben kept saying "i want beth!"  what?  figured out that's what he thought jesus' mommy was named.  need to read a few more christmas stories here to get our stories straight!

christmas pictures round one...

hopefully, we only have a round 2 to get a good shot!  & speaking of shots, way to go poppy on your deer!! 10 pointer!

christmas

we have had a wonderful time with family & friends on christmas eve eve, christmas eve & christmas. i was enjoying the moments & didn't take many pictures.


here are my favorite 2 of the kiddos:


a break from opening presents christmas morning for a hug.



riding my little cowgirl's pony together.

the first taste of snow

the kiddos were so excited to run out & catch a snowflake on their tongue. we had to remind them to put on shoes & coats first.

yumm!



christmas is almost here! lots of good times with family & friends in the next few weeks celebrating the birth of christ.

auntie jen, maybe there will be some white stuff for your arrival on tuesday! we'll make sure to have an extra warm jacket for you. the kiddos are excited to see ya!

visiting santa & our advent calenders

the kiddos have been super excited to see the big red guy. we normally go to washington square mall to see him, but he is no longer there. :( so, we went to the eastland mall & paid $20 for 2 crappy pictures & a visit with a rude santa and elves. seriously, we got there & it wasn't crowded but they were only focused on getting a picture. he was putting them off his lap, when i told the kiddos to tell him what they wanted. "a racetrack" for ben. " " nothing from gracie. she was not thrilled to be there. then santa said see ya next year & got them off his legs. ben gave him an ornament he made especially for him, which i think softened his heart a bit (he then gave them candy canes). the kiddos didn't notice anything wrong with the visit, but i was very let down. boo to the mall santa!

we got advent calenders for the season. 1 for each kiddo. sunday ben got them down & i went to the basement to get the laundry. when i came back, this was what was left.




there was no spot left to open in gracies. mr. ben did save a few days. we have gracie believing her stomach was hurting that night from too much chocolate. maybe this will stop my little chocoholic.