Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow

The day after Christmas we got the first snow of the season.  Reese went snow tubing behind the four wheeler for the first time....

a huge hit!

Adam was so cute.  He has been waiting for this day for three years.  He was excited the day was finally here, she loved it, and wasn't afraid!  I see a lot more of this in our future.

Merry Christmas

It's a wonderful life.  That's the theme for this Christmas.  I just feel so blessed to be spending time with family and friends and enjoying the Spirit of Christmas in my children.  Spending the first Christmas with this little guy was a true blessing...

Reese really got into Christmas this year. 

She wanted to help wrap presents.  She volunteered to wrap up her old toys because she didn't need them any more.  What a spirit of giving she has.  We did decide on a new tradition.  Each Christmas we will donate toys we don't play with anymore to make room for new ones and to brighten someone else's day.  Reese was also all about the countdown calendar this year.  She loved crossing off a number on her little chalkboard each morning and also seeing what the note behind the door of our advent calendar said each day.  Christmy also made his grand appearance this year!

Sometimes he was a little silly.  Every night before bed Reese said, "I wonder where Christmy is going to be in the morning."

 

Reese also did a wonderful job in the church Christmas program.  She sang Happy Birthday to Jesus.  I was so proud that she sang out loudly!

 

Reese celebrated Christmas with her friends at Kristin's...

 

We celebrated Christmas with the Bigelow's a few days before as well.  The girls had fun playing with the puppet theater I made for Audrey and Caroline.

 

We did the usual Christmas Eve/morning with my family and Christmas day with Adam's family. 

 

Both kids got so many goodies.  We are truly blessed by our generous families. 

 

 Reese was so sweet and said various times.  "You guys got me so much toys.  Thank you so much."  She also said, "The real reason for the season is Jesus' birthday!"  (She did learn something from the Christmas program:)  I just remember feeling that magical feeling on Christmas morning and it was so exciting to see Reese experience that this year. 

 

Having our family of four all together for the first time was the best Christmas present this girl could ever ask for.

 

December Fun

This month has been filled with fun activities!  First, we went to the Nutcracker.  This year it was just the girls.  Reese said her favorite was the Arabian doll.  Mostly I think she loved her pony tail.  She's all about pony tails these days.

We also had a chance to see The Little Mermaid Jr. that East Noble Theater Department put on this year.  Reese was in AWE the entire show.  She was seriously on the edge of her seat smirking the entire time.  She was ga ga for Prince Eric.  She said, "I love his pony tail and his face."  Again with the pony tails:)  We even got to see the cast again at breakfast with Santa.  Reese made a picture for Prince Eric, Ariel, and Ursula. 

We went with the Bigelow's.  It's becoming quite the little tradition!

Then there was gingerbread house making at the Adam's house.

Also becoming quite the little tradition.

Oh, and here's a picture that Reese made for grandma and grandpa for Christmas.  I seriously only helped her with finger placement!  It's her, Hudson, grandma, and grandpa.  My favorite part was the last edition, tongues.

Happy Birthday Nora

Nora would've turned one on December 12th, 2012.  We all decided to send her balloons in Heaven to wish her a happy birthday.  Reese was very sweet and so concerned that Nora wouldn't be getting any presents.  I told her that being with Jesus in Heaven was better than any present.  Later that day I was wrapping Christmas presents and she wanted to wrap something.  She said, "Mom, I don't really need to changing pads.  I'm going to wrap one up and give it to Nora for her birthday."  I reminded her that we wouldn't really be able to give it to her in Heaven.  To which she replied, "I know, mom.  I'm just going to have Hudson open it and then we can yell, 'Happy Birthday Nora,' and she will hear us in Heaven.  I hope you know how much you're missed Nora, but we are so glad you are celebrating with Jesus.

Hudson Turns 9 Months

We really think you'll be walking by Christmas, Hudson!  You are standing for a few seconds at a time without holding onto anything and you also like to kneel.  You waved for the first time this month and we've started giving you a little bit of table food.  You're a little unsure about a lot of it, but puffs and yogurt melts are your favorite.  I think you are going to be a tricky one to get to eat when you get bigger, you just want to get down and play!  Your sister is so sweet to you and you get so excited when we go in her room in the mornings.  You bounce up and down in my arms and squawk.  You are still our tiny little peanut, fifth percentile for weight and less than fifth percentile for height.  You've gotten a little more clingy this month and are a little shy around strangers.  You are still our little happy boy though!

Notre Dame Goes Undefeated!

We were very excited to celebrate the undefeated Irish this year!  Whenever Reese sees anything Notre Dame she always says, "Look guys, Go Irish!"  They made us proud this season.

  

Happy Thanksgiving 2012

This year we traveled to Portage for Thanksgiving.  Reese and Hudson had a blast with their cousins as usual. 

Let's not forget about the annual cousin photo.  It was actually not too bad this year.  Just a few tears and a few fits.  No major meltdowns.  Pretty good compared to other years!:)

 

Cousin photo card pic take 1:

 

Cousin photo card pic take 2:

 

are we done yet...

 

Cousin photo card pic take 3:

 

and that's a wrap!

There were tears when we had to leave.  Popsicles, the play room, and singing snowmen were just a few of the highlights of Grammie and Pop's house!
Here's a picture of Santa that Reese drew on Grammie's chalkboard...