Happy Birthday #29

Today I'm 29! Last night we started the celebration going to La Fiesta for dinner with our friends, who are our Kansas family. I love eating out with other adults because they sure do help with crowd control. Today I spent the day packing for our Utah trip beginning tomorrow, can't wait. Also, many members of the fam called, and I love being sung to via the phone. The evening ended blowing out candles and eating brownies and ice cream.
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The baby was sleeping during cake, so I added a final picture of her -- my huge accomplishment of this year.)

 

A Christmas Blessing

Today was a perfect Christmas in Kansas. Our little family spent the day in total relaxation mode, which was reflected in the sweet attitudes of our five lovelies. And, I totally beat both boys, Austin and Andy, in TETRIS -- a huge feat considering the fact that they slaughter me in every other Wii game. I wish our little family could remain untouched from the cares of the world a little more often, because today we had no cares only blessings.
The assent.

 

The conquerors.

 

New pjs from Grandparents Babcock (Which all of us wore the entire day, even when our guest came to dinner.)

 

Popcorn and a movie finale. Nick already asleep in bed.

 

Merry Christmas 2009!

Maisie's Gift

Austin spent the last two months working on Maisie's gift -- the PB kids fridge and sink (the stove is the next item to come sometime this month). I assigned Meg the task of photographing it, so this is what you're gonna get. This fridge/freezer is super cute because it has a real thermometer on the front and adjustable shelves inside. The children and I played restaurant all day Christmas day long. What a sweet memory of today.

 

 

 

Christmas Eve

Our traditions remained the same this year, hence the term tradition, we reenacted Luke 2 and then opened some festive jammies. However, this year there was a twist because I made all the pj pants. I even monogrammed the children's names on their tooshies -- because Natalie told me to and she is always the cleverest. (Mom B., so glad to have new, real, pjs to open this morning and lounge around in all day.)

 

 

 

 

Children were asleep by 9 and the Claus' were asleep by 11:30 pm. Happy Christmas Eve!

The Nativity

Last night our friends came over for FHE. We acted out Luke 2 and then decorated nativity sugar cookies. This year was fun because we had lots of "big" people to coral the little people. We loved having a live "little lord Jesus", even though there was a big white bow involved, and we also had two Marys. During our finale some caroling Mennonnites came by and sang to us, "We Wish You a Christmas Blessing." You gotta love Kansas.

 

 

6 months

Baby Maddie is six months! She weighs in at a hefty 15 pounds and 12 ounces, and she is 25 inches long. Her 10 pound gain in six months is certainly something we are proud of. Also, she has two teeth and sits like a champ, until she gets pushed over. All her sibs still adore her as is evident by their continual mauling. Hooray for our healthy, nice baby.

 

Six months.

 

5 months.

 

4 months.

 

Bishop Dynamite

Tonight was the ward Christmas party and talent show. Here is Austin's talent. Just call me Deb.

Snow

Kansas has snow! Consequently, school closed for two days. The kids have played for hours in it. I was even a nice mom by allowing the huge wet mess afterward, and I provided hot chocolate and warm cookies. Winter is so cozy, isn't it?

 

 

 

 

Gingerbread Houses

The ladies of McPherson and I got together to make gingerbread houses. We spent about four hours just decorating, but we really had a delightful time.
Before.

 

After.

 

Side view.

 

The Ladies.

 

FHE

Last night our Family Home Evening festivities were lovely. First we read the First Presidency message from The Friend, then we each drew a picture of the nativity, while eating candy canes; we finished with an awesome closing song. As a family we felt the reality of Christ's birth -- no better way to welcome in this holiday season.

It's Beginnng to Look A lot like Christmas

Thanks to Austin, our tree is up, the outside lights are up, nativities adorn every corner, and our home feels so cozy.

 

 

 

 

The Humming Game

We play the humming game at lunch; one of us hums a song, the others guess it, then we sing that song. I hummed "Lattter-day Prophets", Maisie guessed correctly, so she sang the song. This is how she sang it, "Joseph F. Smith, remember the Elf. Mom, Glide the Elf is in our Prophet song!"