Christmas!

Levi's first Christmas.

                                     Rebecca was glad it was FINALLY time to open her presents.

But before she opened hers, she insisted that Aaron and I go first.

Levi likes eating and tearing paper so he is good at this part.

"This is what I always wanted" What is it Rebecca? "I don't know"

Very excited about her ballet outfit!

She also got a bead set, so we figured she's need a jewelry box in which to keep her treasures.

Daddy helping with her Kaleidescope kit.

            

All of bubby's presents.

We opened gifts on Christmas Eve afternoon, while everyone was awake and in good moods. It turned out really well and gave the children plenty of time to unwrap, play a while, and then unwrap some more. Our Christmas day we got to focus on going to church, having a little dinner, taking a nap....LOL, and playing with the chillins.

Day Trip... Part 2

Pictures from outside the Museum in their Garden and few shots of their Bethlemhem. It was hard to get very many good pictures because of all the motion and the darkness.

Tent of the Magi

 Much needed fires dotted the trail to warm us poor freezing souls!

A plug for our favorite candidate!

I usually stick to just pics of our family and what we are up to, but right now that includes being very excited about the Presidential race. Out candidate of choice, Ron Paul. To read more about him, including his statement of faith check out www.ronpaul2012.com We got personally involved this morning with a small donation and then Aaron's name came on the screen as a recent donator.....kind of cool!

Levi...just hanging out.

A few shots of the way Levi spends some of his day each day. Now that he is a big boy the highchair is very handy! I can now work in the kitchen!

Day trip.. Part 1

Yesterday we woke in a spontaneous mood and within an hour and half were packed up and on the road. Destination, Cincinatti and the Creation Museum. After studying dinosaurs with Rebecca back in September I have been itching to get her back to the museum. We visited shortly before she turned two, but I know she doesn't remember that trip! Also in December the museum has a Christmas Town exhibit, live dramas, and their beautiful gardens are all decked in lights. We had a really great day! Levi was very content to ride and observe from his perch on my back in the mei tai carriers. Some of the comments I got were quit funny....including, "I wish I had had one of those as a baby". Rebecca was a bit nervous on our first trip through the exhibits, but when we went through a second time she was really enjoying herself. Yes, we had time to go through the entire museum twice! Is it a small museum? NO. Its just that we let Rebecca's interest guide us and she moves....FAST! LOL Lots of pics of our big day!

Welcome home!

More fun things to love in December. Aaron's brother and family are back from their tour of duty in Germany. We are very excited to have them back in town and Rebecca is glad to have more little cousins to play with. We hosted an open house their first Sunday back in the states. Once again, my camera set on the shelf for far too much of the party, but here are a couple shots I got before the fun began.

Its time to trim the tree....

We got our tree up the first week of December and Rebecca was very involved this year. I can tell that Christmas this year is going to be the best so far with her. Its such a fun time of year seen through the eyes of a four year old. At Target we bought a snow globe that plays music and at the checkout she asked the cashier, "Have you EVER seen anything like this before?!" The first package under the tree this year was a present for Levi that Rebecca both picked out and wrapped herself. She is not only my big helper, but a nice big sister.

Late, but still Thankful!

We drove to Kansas City to be with my family for Thanksgiving. The house continually full of great food, laughter, and lots and lots of people! I think my mom said there were 40 different friends and family members in and out of the house that week and some came over more than just once. I didn't take any pictures on Thanksgiving itself....shame on me for missing Levi's first, but its so much busier being a mom of two! We did get a few snapshots of the night Grandma and Papa gave the children their presents. Levi's affinty for paper crinkling turned out to be great for getting him to want to unwrap presents.