Ballerina Girl

Twice a year a woman I know through church, Julie Nichols, holds an 8 week session of ballet classes, followed by a recital. This is Emma's second year doing it.

Showing off her moves.

Mommy and my little Ballerina!

One Year Older and Wiser Too...

Celeste and Grandpa David share a birthday. So, we all got together to celebrate them turning one year older!

I was a little horrified when I saw what they had done to the cherry pie I made David. He has quite a bit more candles than Celeste : )

After the cake/pie Matthew got some great shots of the kids running and playing outside.

BJ finds a friend!

Snuggle time

One of my favorite things about Olivia is that she is a snuggler. My other kids liked to snuggle, just not with me. Well, Parker did, but not the older two. They were in love with Daddy and tolerated me until he was around. Olivia, although definitely a Daddy's girl, loves to snuggle with Mommy at night time. I always let her stay up a little bit later than everyone else so I could be selfish and have this time alone with her. I am usually watching TV, getting ready for bed, and she climbs up, bottle in toe, and finds her spot and nestles up next to me. It's something I am really going to miss as she gets older and more independent : (

New Years Donuts, a little late

Every year on New Years Day we go over to Grammy Ann's house to make and eat homemade donuts. This year for some reason, probably scheduling conflicts, we held this tradition a few weeks later. Grammy Ann making the super yummy donuts!

I love this picture...

Olivia getting in on the donut action!

Coloring buddies!

Emma and Grammy Ann having some quality art time.

Chatting with the adults. I have come to realize that I look grumpy in almost every picture taken of me. I need to work on that!

It was a fun and relaxing day hanging out with family and getting fat on donuts!

The rest of Christmas

The day after Christmas was Grandparent Christmas. We had a yummy breakfast at Grammy Ann's house, followed by presents.

Emma and Parker enjoying breakfast with their cousins.

Olivia having some quiet time with a good book!

Back at our house for presents with Grammy Sally.

Emma was excited. This year she didn't need any help unwrapping her gifts. 

Christmas was hectic this year, but fun nonetheless. We did a lot of traveling, eating, spending time with family, and cleaning up wrapping paper. The kids had a lot of fun, and it did our hearts good to see them smile so much this year. It makes all the stress of planning and traveling well worth it!

Christmas Day at Great Grandma and Grandpa's house

On our way home from the Polar Express on Christmas Day, we stopped at Grandma and Grandpa Carpenter's house. Here Grandma and I were hanging out and talking. She told some great stories!

Aidan outside with the boys flying helicopters.

Parker and Emma traipsing around the yard.

Olivia was OBSESSED with this dog! She wouldn't leave the poor thing alone. Here she is trying to give it a drink of water from a cup.

Olivia and Great Grandpa playing football.

Christmas Eve at the Polar Express

In front of one of the trains.

Olivia eating one of the cookies we got, along with super yummy hot chocolate!

Relaxing and enjoying the ride while we wait for Santa.

Here he is!!

Parker holding up one of the special key chains and bells we got. We also received commemorative mugs.

All tucker out after our busy day.

Aidan, however, wasn't tired, so Matthew took him back out to the activity center where he hung out with Mrs. Claus! 

 

 

It was a really fun trip! We also ate two great meals in the dining hall, along with sleigh rides, sing a longs, and some time in the Christmas village. It was a long trip, but well worth it!