the newest trick

John is on the hearth

I just had to share the twins newest trick. Climbing up on the fireplace hearth. They are pretty proud of themselves for managing this, and I don't have the heart of say no when they flash me such winsome smiles.

the day after.....

Emma and Grace
John and Jacob
Garrett

Christmas is officially over, but we still feel pretty festive. Here are the kids the day after.

Christmas magic

This is DEFINITELY John

Emma
Jacob
I think this is John, but I'm not positive.... (I was wrong...checked the PJ's)

Grace got an MP3 player and I-Dog that plays her music and has "emotions".

Garrett

Christmas came and went so quickly. I wish Christmas Eve fell on Sunday every year. It was so nice to go to church and have a nice Christmas service with beautiful music. This Christmas Eve we went to the Parson's house after church and then had a ham dinner at our house on Christmas Day. We were at our own home for the first time in years, and it was so relaxing and joyous. So, here's my list of Christmas memories:

*wondering how the chapel was so packed that we had 4 seats for 8 people and hearing such a beautiful voice at church that I got goosebumps and forgot all about my discomfort.

*Grace telling me that Christmas was better than great.

*being able to video tape this Christmas, thanks to Jeff's Christmas present to me.

*watching the twins crawl on top of and over their presents but having no desire to actually unwrap them.

*seeing Garrett's excitment as he opened each gift.

*hearing Emma's giggle each time she got something she really wanted.

*feeling Jeff's lips on mine when he kissed me Merry Christmas

I hope the joy my children experienced this year is repeated each year. They really do bring the magic of Christmas home.

Upon our doorstep appeared......

This is a picture of Grace.....she had the opportunity to carol at a nursing center and in a parade. Although she is MY caroler, she is not one of the carolers I talk about below.

In my mind, I have memories archived of Christmases past. This year, we had a caroling experience that will be held in that vault with other events that left me happy, thoughtful or nostalgic.

Last week we had a knock on our door in the evening. Emma ran and opened the door (even though she knows she's not supposed to) and quickly shut it and ran away. I heard singing and went to the door. There upon my doorstep were two families who had come to sing Christmas carols to us. They were obviously two musically inclined families because they sounded great. Really great. They even had accompaniment from what I thought was their car stereo. At the last song I peeked around the porch and saw that the trumpet I heard was live. The trumpeter was out on the street so that he didn't overwhelm the singers. It was pretty spectacular as far as caroling goes, and I'm thankful for those two sweet families who braved the cold and dark air in order to sing to my family. Oh, and did I mention they also brought really, really yummy smores?

The Mystery......

This morning as I was unloading the dishwasher, Emma and Garrett came rushing in.
They had a mystery on their hands and my super sleuths shared it with me.
It went like this:
Emma, "dad can't be at work".
Garrett, "daddy no wear shoes, no socks".
Emma, "and you know the most amazing part, mommy? He's not even wearing his work shirt".
I told them that he was wearing another shirt and different shoes, but since they were so excited about solving their mystery, we called Jeff at work to make sure that he was in fact wearing a shirt, shoes and socks.
(Just in case you're wondering, he was!)

These are the little conversations that make my days cheery and bring joy to my heart.

Laid to rest!

No, no one died, the results from Jacob's CT scan came in. Normal range. Not a huge surprise. But, I'm relieved all the same.

Update: The doctor called today and went into the report in more detail with me. Yesterday's report was from the nurse. Anyway, NORMAL, but his parietal bones are asymetrical. So, in 2-3 months I'll take him in for a head circumference check, but things look GOOD.

Few things much worse......

OK, I've decided that there few things worse than trying to get a family picture with 5 wiggly cranky children. So, to copy a few of my good blogger friends, take that into consideration if/when you get our family picture in our Christmas card. I say If because I'm not positive at this point if I'll get it done. I think I'll post the picture here in case I dont' get around to it. Then, all the hard work and grief we endured yesterday won't be for naught! :)

Opinion, please.

I need your help. I was trying to get a shot today that made the boys look the most identical......which is your favorite?