Santa Visited!

Early Christmas morning, the pitter patter of 3 year old feet running across the office floor was the sound to be heard. Brooke was anxious to share the news that Santa found our house!  Upon hearing voices, the boys were soon to follow down the steps to see what Santa brought them.



Christmas morning was much anticipated by both kids and adults this year.  The kids understood the meaning of Christmas this year and it brought joy to all of our lives.  The had a great time with the presents too and made memories that mommy and daddy will remember always!

Christmas 2011 - Part II

December 23rd was spent with Mommy's family. The electricity and the excitment that was in the air is putting it mildly. The kids were WIRED! They had so much fun opening presents. It was awesome to see them really understand it this year. A few comments were made about - you're not supposed to get clothes for Christmas, among others, but for the most part, they were pleased with their umbrellas, all their princess, toy story, and cars toys.

 We started with stockings!  They did not disappoint.  Thelittle kids loved their flashlights and the big kids loved their suprises too!

We moved down to the basement to the delight of the kids.  Their stash was awaiting them.                

Christmas Eve was spent with the Kruse family.                                                                                     

All of the cousins posed for a picture before ripping into their gifts!

Just the girls...

And, the boys...

There are NO WORDS for this!

Good times were had together and then we made our way to mid-night church.  That was a first and quite the experience.  The boys made it through the entire service while Brooke decided mommy's shoulder was the perfect pillow!  After church, it was straight home and to bed so visions of sugar plums could dance in the little ones' heads!

Christmas 2011 - Part I

We celebrated Christmas with Daddy's family the Sunday before Christmas. Santa showed up to the delight of the kids! They were able to add some last minute wishes to their Christmas lists and were not shy at all.

We were all together on Christmas day too!  We put on our Mexican best and had fun at the fiesta!  All the food we had was Mexican and it was so good! 

 The cousins.

The trio got a swingset from Mama and Papa!

We also spent some time with Grandma and Grandpa.  It was a fun visit with them and they loved their new pillows that they can use for daycare. 

 Grandpa

Grandma

Spending time with family at Christmas and making the memories is priceless!

Christmas Programs 2011

We had TWO Christmas programs this year!  The kids participated in their first Sunday School Program one Wednesday evening and then their daycare program the following Wednesday.  We as parents are learning!  The note sent home for the Sunday School program said to have them at church by 6:40.  So, we thinking we were ahead of schedule arrived at 6:35 - plenty of time to spare right, WRONG!  We were shocked to find that three-fourths of the church was already full.  We found a pew to sit in and realized quickly that we were not going to be able to see much.  It was already too late and the program was about to start so we settled in.   As the kids started filing in, the pride in this mommy's heart was unbareable.  I started thinking back a few short years to when I longed, longed, longed to have a baby.  We tried for 5 years to have these miracles and here they are walking into church to worship and help prepare our hearts for Jesus' birth.  My eyes started tearing up and my throat was getting tight - until I saw their smiling faces marching into church and beaming at us as they filed down the aisle.  It was unreal and something I don't ever want to forget.  They all did well in that program with Luke and Brooke participating and Zach standing on the alter with his arms crossed just taking it all in.  After the service, we had refreshments in the fellowship hall and were quickly home and in bed!

The following week, we again got gussied up in our Christmas best.  Posed for a few pictures and tried to get the squirmies out of our systems!

 

We got a picture of the kids with their teachers.

The kids did well in the second program too.  Two successed and just two of many more to come!

Dinner with Santa

Nana mentioned a dinner that Santa was hosting.  So...we went!  There was much hype as the night drew near.  We dressed in our elf best and enjoyed the night. 

We ate burgers, chips, and cookies while visiting with friends.

Much to the delight of the 30+ kids in attendance, Santa arrived!!!

We "patiently" waited our turn in a long line.

Until it was finally, our turn.  Santa wasn't sooo scary this year and all three were willing to sit on his lap to share wants and desires!  We posed for a few pictures and were on our way home, with a fun night down in the books!

Third Times a Charm???

Our Zachary has yet to pass a hearing screening.  We know that there is potential for him to hear in the inner ear, it is just not happening due to the fluid in his ear that is not allowing the eardrum to perform correctly.  At 7 months, Zach had his first set of tubes.  On November 11, 2010 - he had his second set and had his adenoids removed.  And, then on November 23, 2011, he had his third set of tubes put in for a grand total of 3 tubes in his three and one-half year old life.  We are keeping the ENT busy!  We know that this is nothing life-threatening and are grateful that he can hear as well as he does, but we are sure hoping that these suckers stay in for awhile!

I took him by myself since this is old hat for us now.  He did very, very well this time and we even went out for a lunch date afterward!

Prepped and ready, enjoying my toy!

And, after enjoying a nice cool treat!  He wouldn't share with his monkey or his mommy!