Merry Christmas

If I could put all my pictures I've taken and received in the last few weeks and put them in a pile, I'd be buried alive in them. I'd be buried with the ones I love at least. I'm swimming in pictures I've taken; actually drowning because there are so many good ones, but here's just a taste in this post. I feel like I've been running and going for weeks now and although it's overwhelming at times, I absolutely love and thrive on it. It's what life is all about and I keep thinking of this song "You're Going to Miss This" by Trace Adkins every time it gets to feel like it's too much. I seriously sung this song in my head last week when Lily was having a full fledged tantrum in the middle of Target because I wouldnt let her play with the computer customers use to register for weddings and babies. Of course I was in the middle of checking out so there was no quick exit, but had to mentally sing this song to try to keep my cool. And I wish I could leave this wall up all year long because I feel so loved every time I walk by it.


and feeling the love when I see my kids with their cousins (missing Allison and Anna) acting like they are siblings without the rivalry...Jen took this picture and I just love how almost every age is represented and they all learn from each other in so many different ways.


and my little guys on Christmas morning was enough to make my heart skip a beat. Lily opened her favorite gift first (Leapfrog computer) and wanted nothing to do with the 30 gabillion other presents under the tree and it was like pulling teeth to have her tear into the next present when all she wanted was scissors and batteries (pronounced "batter-berries") to play with her new computer. My fault for handing her the first gift I saw, not thinking what was inside of it, instead of strategizing better. I think she's actually holding the computer in this picture because it was the first one taken of the day.


David-Mr.-Never-Takes-a-Picture-And-We'd-Have-No-Pictures-If-Kelly-Didn't-Take-Them-All wanted this posed picture of the kids so I happily obliged. Kinda cute how they are camoflauged in the picture. Kinda sick how many presents they got this year. My house looks like Toys_R_Us threw up in our great room.

Oh and the Barbie Car! We had her go on a scavenger hunt to look for the big present. We did this as kids so of course have to repeat the tradition in our house. She was losing steam after the 4th clue so I reminded her of what she wanted for Christmas and she said "Barbie Car" to keep her enthusiasm up, but she thought presents were over and she got sad saying "Me No Get Barbie Car fwum Santa". One more clue later and she was zooming away.


Seriously, this is one of the cutest dam things I've ever laid eyes on and to see her zipping around not able to steer going through the grass makes my stomach hurt from laughing.

I told her I wanted a picture of her looking at me in her new car to show Santa and she INSISTED on posing like this. As I was about to take it she gets out and says, "No, no mommy. Wait. (holding up her hand) Me do it like dis' mommy".

Where does she get these ideas? HILARIOUS!!

Is there anything better than seeing your kids happy? Seriously! It's like a high and I don't even like drugs.

And Little Grady just took it all in just asking for cuddles which he gots TONS of. I swear everyone should have a newborn to snuggle with on Christmas - they're extra snuggly for sure! It's the weather, the sentimentality of Christmas, the smells, the families gathering, the newness of a baby all combine for extra yumminess. And yummy he is. I saw some people gnawing on his cheeks for good luck, but they're not edible.


Bob's son Brian joined us this year and he's not like part of the family; he is family. Hands down no questions asked; he fits in with this nutty bunch like a glove. And what a natural he is with kids...all of them at any age!


and what can I say about Katie Bug? She's perfect in every way and hope my kids turn out just like her when they're her age. She can do it all. She'll play a game of CandyLand with the little ones then join us on the patio and talk to all the grown ups about the latest tween fads.


I. LOVE. THIS. PICTURE!! Jen must've taken it because I didnt and it was on my camera when I was loading them all on. This shows his sweetness times gabillion. Those eyes and cheeks melt me like an ice cube. (gnawing on computer screen)


I think Grace and Lily are sisters separated by birth. They go off and play for hours and have so much fun. Grace is such a great role model for Lily and shows her how to play nicely, take turns, and have lots of fun all the while being so patient and loving towards her. I could spy on them forever! & maybe I do. :)





My house still kinda looks like this right now; minus the people. This is the same shot taken the last couple of years, but we have a few more wrinkles and that much more love for each other.




and the famous pool picture that just seems to fit everyone just right. The setting is kinda like our family; this crazy puzzle of different personalities that all mesh together and are there for each other no matter what curve balls are sent our way. That's a super cool feeling.


more to come...

life is good :)