Christmas 2013...

It's hard to believe that the Christmas season is already over.  It was definitely a whirlwind, as it is most years, celebrating with lots of family throughout the Christmas week.  Christmas is so fun with little kids, especially as they are getting older and understanding more.

 

Our first Christmas was in Ohio the weekend before Christmas.  We stayed a couple of nights at the "water park hotel" and celebrated Christmas with Great Grandma and Grandpa Brauchler.  The kiddos had a blast swimming at the hotel and we were all exhausted by the time Monday morning rolled around.  None of us slept great at the hotel and it was definitely a challenge with the 5 of us sharing a room.  The first night I think I saw every hour between the three girls.

This suit has now been worn by all three girls for their first swim.

First dip in the pool...it was a little too chilly for her.

Check out those thighs (on Maddy that is)!

Just because it's funny...Aves pouting in the background.

All three slept almost the entire way home (it's a 3 hour and 45 min drive!)

Our second Christmas was on Christmas Eve with Grammy and Grampy Roberts and Aunt Kym.  We spent the day together having brunch, opening presents, Christmas dinner and finished up with a movie. 

 

Testing Maddy out in the baby doll stroller.

Reading the Christmas story with Grampy.

Our third Christmas was our family Christmas at our house on Christmas morning.  Kens was really into Santa this year and had lots of logistical questions.  She was super concerned that she was only going to get two presents because that was all she asked him for.  I think it's safe to say the girls were thoroughly spoiled this year between Santa, grandparents, extended family, etc.

 

Sprinkling Reindeer food on Christmas Eve.

The girls on Christmas morning

Loving her new chair

Princess Maddy tests out big sisters' new presents.

Showing me some dance moves in her new dance outfit.

Our fourth Christmas was at Nana and Papa's house and was actually two-part.  The adults opened our presents on Christmas evening after the kids were in bed.  Then the kids all opened on Thursday morning when they woke up.  It's chaotic enough trying to keep up with the five of them opening and keeping track of all of their stuff.

 

Cousins reading their little Bibles

Two year olds playing hide-and-go-seek...hilarious!

Our last Christmas was on Saturday with Great Grandma and Grandpa Zurcher and Great Aunt Carla.  We celebrated at my parents again with presents and lunch.

 

This sweet thing is full of smiles!

Staring down Kensley's Ursula doll.

We had such a great Christmas celebrating with all of our families.  It was also a memorable first Christmas for Maddy.

Christmas Activities {2013}...

We have been keeping busy this Christmas season with lots of family focused Christmas activities and events.

 

This year in our advent calendar, we decided to forgo the daily presents and in turn focus on daily family activities.  The activities range from baking Christmas cookies, to buying presents for a family in need, to going to see Christmas lights, etc.  Some are even things that were already on our calendar: girls' Christmas program, making Gingerbread houses at school, Breakfast in Bethlehem at our church and a ride on the Polar Express.

 

This year we also introduced the "Elf on a  Shelf" and the girls LOVE looking for him each morning.  They named him "Sparkles".  We haven't focused much on the naughty/nice aspect of the story or "reporting behavior" to Santa.  It has been a fun daily activity for them as they race downstairs each morning to see where he's moved.  I have to say, I am happy to see the Elf go...24 days of hiding that little guy is challenging (especially when your 4 year old remembers each location he's been in!).

 

Here are some pictures from our December Christmas activities.

Watching the Polar Express in 3-D

Playing in the snow

Visiting Santa...no tears from anyone!

Going on the Polar (Bear) Express with cousins and Nana and Papa.

Breakfast in Bethlehem at our church (with cousins again)

Gingerbread House Night at Preschool (with a Special Person).  Kens choose to take Daddy.

Preschool Christmas Program {2013}

This past Monday, Kensley and Avery had their preschool Christmas program.  It was so cute to see all the little kids up on stage singing their songs, doing their motions and waving to their parents.  The girls both did great!  Kens had been practicing her songs at home for us for weeks.  Avery was a bit more stubborn and never wanted to practice with us.  We were so surprised that there were actually motions to her songs and she knew them!

 

Kensley's class sang "Little Drummer Boy" and "Rudolph".  Avery's class sang "Jingle Bells" and "There was a Little Baby".  They also sang "Up on the Housetop" and "We Wish you a Merry Christmas" with the whole school.

 

Here are some pictures from the evening.  Please disregard the quality of the pictures (red eye, darkness, etc) as we were pretty far away.

 

Kens was SO excited...Aves was a little unsure.

 

Ha!  Avery's classic face.  Not sure why she did it here.

Looking for us in the audience

Bad quality picture, but Kens and her best friend at school with their arms in the air.

A quick stop to see Santa on our way out the door.

Madelyn's Dedication...

Several weeks ago on Sunday, November 17, we dedicated Maddy to the Lord at our church.  We were fortunate to have some of our family in town to celebrate our sweet, Maddycakes.

 

We made the following promise in front of our church:

I promise to nurture my child in the Christian faith.
I will pray for my child.
I will teach them Biblical principles.
I will talk to my child about Jesus.
I will be humble and ask for help when needed.
I have dedicated myself and my child to Jesus Christ.

After church, we went out with family for a celebratory lunch at Jason's Deli.  What's not to love about free ice cream.  Maddy got lots of attention as she was passed between family members.

Here are a few pictures from Maddy's special day.