Christmas Begins!

We set up the tree the weekend after Thanksgiving. I loved it - Christmas music blaring, kids bouncing off the walls and decorations being flung all over the house.

Santa came to pack meeting at the church the next week. I snapped Claire's 2011 photo and of course had her all dressed up right for the occasion! Too bad she liked being on daddy's lap much better!

Last Saturday we had what we call our family gift exchange. Since we tend to leave town for Christmas every year we've started this tradition of everyone giving one gift to each member of our family. We take the kids to the dollar store where price isn't an issue and they shop with their own baskets in hand. It's adorable. This year I got a pool float from Jake, Tyler got a musical Christmas tie from Ashley, Luke got a dove chocolate bar from Ashley, Jake got a box of crayons and coloring book from Luke and Ashley and Claire got a new sippy-cup, toy and wash cloth from her siblings. The goodness of giving.

We love this time of year and look forward to all the fun the next two weeks will bring!! Merry Christmas to all!

Growing Up.

I glanced down at my sweet baby the other day as I pushed her in the stroller and thought I'd kidnapped someone else's child. Where did my baby go?! She looks like a toddler now with her hair done and big girl boots! I couldn't believe my eyes.

Trip To Denver

My mom, Ali, Brynn, Claire and I got away for a quick trip to Denver. We visited Tutu and Frank and the rest of our family on his side. It was fun to see all the red-heads we are related to, Claire and Ashley fit right in! We also drove past our old houses and I had to get out to hug the fire hydrant I used to play on as a kid in our front yard. Great trip!

Bubble party at Grandmas!

Growing up, my grandma Tutu had a jet tub that she would put bubble-bath in. I remember the bubbles growing so tall that I could stand up and my whole body would be covered. Luke was in my mom's bath the other night and asked if he could turn her jets on. It got me thinking... With permission we added a little bit of shampoo and ka-boom we had a bubble party going. Within minutes ALL the other kids were in the bathroom skinning their clothes off for some fun. Grandma was a good sport!

Me and Ash

Ashley got to come wedding dress shopping with Maddie and the big girls. She liked it, but ended up falling asleep it took so long! She is a good sport and so much fun to have around.

Family Pictures on Thanksgiving Day

Literally the first and only time (so far) that Claire has found her nostril and wanted to pick her nose was right when we had the camera out! She was cracking us up!

Ty's Tri

We're Back! Tyler did a Triathlon in Las Vegas with his brothers. He did great!

It's Official!

Trevor proposed to Maddie this week! They're getting married in May! How thrilling for them and exciting for our whole family! I couldn't be happier for them! Congratulations you two! XOXO

people wonder if I dye my hair

Classic. I've had more than one person recently inquire about the real color of my hair. I keep telling everyone it's the wonder of genetics.

Living the Dream

I couldn't help but hear repeated in my head tonight, "we're living the dream!". Ali and I were bathing our baby girls at her house tonight and getting them both into jammies when it dawned on me, this is what we used to imagine doing when we played house together at the ages of 6 and 4!; Being mommies with our own houses and baby girls to take care of. It's too much!

Now that she and Blake are living 10 minutes away we no longer have to call each other on the phone and say "I wish...!" Instead, we can! Like tonight the boys (our husbands) have run off to Vegas to meet their other brothers and dad for a triathlon tomorrow morning. Last year, Ali and I would have called one another as I sat alone at Barros Pizza and she sat alone in her living room with sleeping babies and said, "what would we give to be together tonight?!" Now, we are together - and I am so thankful!

It is a blessing and a gift to have this time together in our lives where we are raising these two sweet babies, almost the same age, so close together supporting and loving and enjoying one another the way only sisters can!

We spent the evening together at the park, together at Barros Pizza and together watching reruns of the Nate Berkus Show and X-factor, shoveling down halloween candy and sharing the loot with the kids (hence the sticky faces!). Great night. Thx Al!

behind the wheel

Claire is too cute in her new car! For her birthday we had a car theme party and got her this new ride because she absolutley loves being behind the wheel - of my van, of the grocery store cart car, of park toys, you name it. Her expressions kill me, I couldn't pick just one of these photos to post. She's too cute - my new 1 year old. ;)

Claire's First Birthday Party!!

Today is Claire Bear's first birthday! Wow. I love it!

A year ago today we held this sweet baby in our arms and I was immediately overcome with how worth it she is! When I was pregnant I was pretty miserable being so big and hot and having restless legs at night, etc. I couldn't remember very well having the other kids (it had been four years) and I'd convinced myself that this baby was going to be our last. BUT the SECOND I held her sweet self in my arms I just could not believe how amazing and wonderful and worth it the 10 months of effort had been! It's incredible! I also remember thinking what a treat she was going to be. Having a pink bundle of joy felt like having a big slice of dessert everytime I smelled her, kissed her, fed her, looked at her.

Now a year later, our whole family feels this way! Claire has brought so much joy and happiness to our family.
I feel so lucky to have her home with me all day - without her, I'd be all alone each day after sending the big kids off to school and I'm definitely not ready for that! She is my sweatheart. The older she gets the more her personality emerges and the more entertaining she becomes. She's fun to have around.
Daddy can't get enough of her. His favorite time with her is in the morning when Luke brings her to us in bed (he LOVES getting her out of the crib) and daddy snuggles her up close while she drinks her morning bottle. He also loves giving her baths, since that is her very favorite time of day.
Luke has a special love for Claire. He'll sit forever at the piano with her on his lap allowing her to bang the keys as long as she wants. He's helpful getting blankie and bottles and whatever else his baby sister might need.
Ashley loves having a sister, one that looks like her too, and can't wait for Claire to be old enough to start playing with her!
And Jake literally about smothers her with his love on a daily basis. He also likes that people are constantly telling him how much his baby sister has his (and daddy's)face!

We love Claire so much and wish her a happy, happy 1st Birthday and many more to come!!