Christmas highlights

Merry Christmas! We had a very relaxed day with present opening, food eating, and toy playing (in that order!). It was really great watching the kids open their gifts and thoroughly enjoy them today. Tomorrow, before the break of dawn, we are traveling to Ohio for a visit with our families. So, in a way, the holidays will continue for the kids for almost another week. Hmmm, I think we needed this day of quiet, reflective family time!

One of E.'s favorite gifts was skateboarding gear.
All of the kids breaking in one of P.'s gifts.
One of my favorite photos from the day!
We bought Chester a new chew toy, which kept him busy all morning. And his teeth are cleaner, too. Mission: Accomplished!
S. loves everything pink. So did she like her new pink Pony? I think so. =)
Poor thing. Opening gifts is tough work!
This is the game we spent over an hour putting together today. It was worth it though ... a fun marble race, and it stands almost as tall as E!
S. loves wearing my shoes, sneaking into my makeup, and putting on Tyler's deodorant (his must smell better than mine!). So we got her a little clothes chest with outfits for three princesses. She is absolutely adorable all dolled up!

The biggest hit with P. today is what Tyler began calling, "The Freaky Horse." This present was a dumpster dive. I normally abhor pulling things from the trash, but I am so glad that I "saved" this little guy. P. enjoys it so so much.

Say cheese! Ok, STOP saying cheese!

When mom and dad were in town, we ventured out to try and capture some good pics of the kids. I think we succeeded! Surprisingly, my most photogenic child—S.—ended up fizzling out first and refused to smile anymore. We told E. to just keep saying cheese so that he wouldn't stop "smiling," but the photographer got sick of hearing it and actually told him to stop!

We ended up getting a good pic of each of them individually and a good group shot, so I was glad we went. If these copies look a little distorted, I think they are; the online quality isn't the greatest. Enjoy!

Our little pumpkin has turned 1

With all three of our children having their birthdays right on top of a holiday, P.'s is definitely going to be the most challenging to truly celebrate. Born on Thanksgiving Day, I had a lot to be thankful for this year ... including not being in labor! (Sorry for the joyful exaltation to all of my soon-to-deliver friends, but when Macy's parade started I was absolutely giddy that I didn't have Pitocin running through my veins at that moment and didn't have to demand that the TV be shut off because the Sesame Street float was grating my nerves.) We stayed in town for Thanksgiving so we were able to have a little party for her and my parents came in for the weekend. Here are some photo highlights and a video to enjoy. The video is of a birthday card being opened for the first time and her reaction to it (thanks, Aunt Jayme ... the girls are still playing with it!).

My favorite thing to do with P. is just watch her from across the room. When she catches me watching her, her entire face lights up and she gets a huge smile on her face knowing that she wasn't overlooked or forgotten. I hope she grows up to know that she is worthy of such secret admiration! She is such a sweet, sweet girl. I hope this next year only brings out more sweetness in her little personality. Happy birthday, Sweet P. We love you!

Birthday dinner—pizza, pizza, pizza!

Opening her first gift.

S.'s reaction when she was told none of the presents were for her. =)