Weeks of Busy, Busy, Busy

I am going to throw everything into one post for lack of....you guessed it... time. I keep hoping that I will somehow have more of it, but that is an illusion and it is what it is. I am a busy mama and if that ever changes, I will relish those moments. For now I will reheat my coffee and be busy, busy, busy.

St. Lucia's feast day is always a big hit at our house on December 13. Daddy had off that day, so he baked these rolls in the afternoon and they were fantastic as usual!

Maggy's last volleyball practice/game on December 14th

She is a rock star server!!!

Francesca's Christmas concert was on December 15. Maggy and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I miss those choir days. It was the highlight of my highschool years. Francesca takes after her Grandmother Marybeth with a beautiful voice and musical gifts.

December 21st. Had we not gotten a puppy who needs to be taken outside every morning for potty time, I would have missed this beauty in the early morning hours. It was a winter wonderland when we stepped outside that a.m. Jackfrost left nothing untouched with his magical wand. Awesomeness!

Speaking of the puppy...just when I didn't think Bijou could get any cuter...

...she did.

She peed on the rug the other day and had no remorse. Naughty girl.

 Randomness. Andrew carved a swan out of this apple.

He should get a third job at Edible Arrangements:)

Christmas Eve  

Moving right along to Christmas Day. These two cousins have a special bond. Nathan is holding him for the first time since coming back from basic training. We are so thankful to all who prayed Nathaniel safely home. Perhaps he can tell you about his personal short lived experience in the service. Our soldiers need our prayers more than one could ever have imagined. God is amazing. God moves mountains. Nathan has personally witnessed this. When we work together through the Communion of Saints the results are beyond our limited knowledge and comprehension.  He has been so good to our son.

We had our Godson over on Christmas day because his mommy had to work in ER. Jacob is thee most intelligent little boy I've ever met. He is also thee most active little boy I have ever met;-)

I don't want to focus on Christmas gift giving, but unfortunately I did not take a family group shot this year so you're stuck with multiple gift opening photos. I had many distractions on Christmas and I tried very hard to just chill and sip my coffee and relax and not be crabby. I was not totally successful.

His first set of Legos. You will see more photos of Joachim than the other kiddos because this was his first Christmas opening gifts by himself. Plus, he is just so dang cute!!!

Reading the card upside down

I don't think a year goes by that there is not a Lego request from the boys for birthdays and Christmas.

Star Wars light saber

Photobomb by cousin Jacob

We are BIG boardgaming people at our house. We go through the same games multiple times from them getting so much use. Pieces end up missing and/or broken. That's just the way it goes. Mouse Trap had not been in the house for a few years. Can you tell by his expression;-)

Peg dolls and CraZLoom are the new girly craze.

A girl is never too old for dolls, right?

Because I felt like showing you my stinky foot before I open gifts. Scratch the screen and sniff. Lol!

Helmet for snowboarding on January 8th. Mom is cool and is letting me skip a day of school to hit the slopes.

Uggs. Sparkly Uggs.

New watch and desk chair. (Andrew has the same exact smile he had when he was little.)

A girl's gotta have her own hairdryer for college.

UFC shirt

I decided to take the younger kiddos sledding in the evening on Christmas. I had a lot of energy and too much crabbiness so I thought some physical activity would do me and the children some good:)

Saturday, December 28th. This year we hosted the first family Christmas party at our home with as many of the relatives from my side of the family tree that were able to make it. The weather cooperated and it was great fun! One of my favorite things about my family is the bubbly laughter. They ALWAYS laugh despite any situation. It is so therapeutic!

 

This brings us to today - Sunday.

MEANWHILE...THE ORNAMENT THIEF STRIKES AGAIN...

Johnny's and Francesca's gingerbread houses

Magdalena's gingerbread house

You took my ornaments!!!

Gussy's gingerbread house

He is the reason for all of this merriment! We didn't forget about Jesus despite all these seemingly materialistic photos. Merry Christmas!

Gabe's gingerbread house that completed the village.