Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!!!

We hope everyone enjoyed their Happy Holly-Day as much as we have!

Here are the girls Christmas Eve, dressed for church.

After church we went out to eat.

Back at home the girls sprinkled their reindeer food in the yard.

During the night, a delight was spread out!

The girls were so quick in the morning,

I was only able to capture Josie's expression as she came bursting into the living-room.

It was a present palooza!

Xavier opening his laptop.

Too many presents to track!

Later in the day we took a spin around the

block on the new scooters!

Freshly dressed for bed.

Phoebe was worn out from all the fun!

The girls had a blast sleeping with their new bed tent.

It has stars that glow in the dark!

The next few days was a frenzy of play . . .

Crafts,

Just Dance Kids for the Wii,

Dancing wands

Another play tent and lots of videos to watch inside it on a mini DVD player.

Did I mention crafts?

Merry Christmas to all!!!

Did Somebody say, "COOKIES?!"

The girls had a super fun Christmasy time last weekend with some

our most favorite people courtesy of their

friend Grace and her Mommy.

It was a fun night filled with . . .

Mmmmm, pizza and crunchy cheese balls!

Interior Decorating. 

A Reindeer Food Buffet. 

Clara Rose got extra flying powder for her reindeer food! 

 Whoa! 

That was some Reindeer Buffet!!!

The Girls had a blast decorating Christmas Cookies. 

Look at all those super delicious cookies! 

The night was filled with lots of warm fuzzy moments. 

PRESENTS! 

What a party!

Thanks Michelle and Grace! 

The next day we broke out

all of our cookie making

ingredients and got busy making more cookies! 

It was a fun afternoon for all the Girls! 

And if anyone isn't sure about the level of fun

Here's proof-- frosting colored hands says it all! 

After the cookie extravaganza--

Josie and Clara Rose wanted to go for

a Christmas stroll around the neighborhood . . .

Sporting their Santa Helper hats . . .

Singing Santa Songs. 

What a great day! 

Hey, That's my Name on TV

Josephine

Because a 6-year old and a nearly 5-year old know how

to turn on the TV by themselves and

they know that mommy usually watches the evening news . . .

Josie: Mommy my name was on TV-- Josephine.

Me: Yes, that is your first name.

Josie: but that is not me.

Me: No, honey, thankfully not.

At this point, I know Josie has heard bits and pieces that something bad has happened and that most of the adults in her life are talking about it in hushed whispers.

I decided it might be better to let her watch a little of

the news and talk about it than to quickly usher her out of the room as had been happening the last few days here and there.

Josie: Mommy, did those little kids die.

Me: Yes, honey.

Josie: Is that the kids' Daddy?

Me: Yes, he is the Daddy to one of the little girls.

Josie: Why is he crying?

Me: He is crying because he misses his little girl.

Josie: Are they in Heaven now?

Me: Yes, honey they are in Heaven, safe with Baby Jesus.

Josie: Are they Angels?

Me: Yes, they are Angels.

Me: I love you honey-pie.

Josie: I love you too Mommy. Can I have dessert now?

Me: Yes.

We watched the Christmas cartoon, "The Littlest Angel."

As with probably everyone in the country-- our hearts ache for these families.

It is Christmas and in the wake of this atrocity, I took the girls to a Christmas cookie party that had been planned for weeks.

We move forward with Christmas celebrations-- because what else can we do but to move forward, especially for our children who don't really understand--

but the ache is here and I cannot begin to imagine the magnitude of this type of pain.

Be near me, Lord Jesus
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me I pray
Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to heaven
To live with Thee there

Trees, Houses, and a Drum roll PLEASE!

The day after Thanksgiving we kicked off

the Christmas Season with our annual pursuit of the perfect Christmas Tree.

Gabrielle made the mistake of trying choose a tree other than some type of "fir" tree

to which Wim clearly stated, "If we bring home that tree I am NOT coming home!"

Who knew I was married to such a Christmas Tree diva?

Pictured below-- Wim, Gabrielle, Josie and Clara Rose standing

in front of the seriously tall Balsam Fir Tree that Wim picked out.

For those who don't know my husband IRL, he is 6'4" and while

we do have a tall ceiling-- it isn't THAT tall.

With much trimming (as in cutting bottoms and tops)

We managed to set-up the chosen tree in our living room.

Only Wim could decorate the upper part of the tree--

while standing on a chair.

Because . . . the tree is soooo enormously tall!

:-D 

We all enjoyed a fun evening decorating our tree. 

Ah, yes-- He does exist!

No! I don't mean Santa--

Xavier! 

We've also been busy making our "candy" houses as

the girls like to call them.

The assembly part is also a bit stressful for me

but the decorating is loads of fun!

We bought some extra candy this year and

I think these are the best houses we've done yet!

They look good enough to EAT!

Lastly, and certainly not least--

The drum roll!

DRUM ROLL--

EVEN LOUDER!

We have another legal driver in our house!

Her official plastic license arrived in the mail Saturday, but

she took off before I could get the camera!

CONGRATULATIONS GABRIELLE!!!