Merry Christmas!

This was a very special Christmas for us.  It was the first time that both set of Grandparents were able to spend the holiday with us.  We had such a great week having fun with them and and lots of Aunts, Uncles and cousins.  The trio really is really starting to understand what holidays are and its so much fun watching as they put it together.  Ryan told us tonight that when he grows up he's going to live with Santa Claus and he'll give Ryan candy canes and Santa will drink coffee.

I think this may be one of the last years JP still believes.  I knew he totally did when he asked me a couple of weeks ago to get an "Elf on the Shelf".  I told him maybe next year and that it did cost money.  We looked them up on the computer and saw they were about $18.00.  JP asked "Is that $18.00 for one time, or do you have to pay $18.00 each year that you want him to tell Santa how you've been?"  It makes me sad to think that this magical experience may soon be coming to an end for him, but hopefully some of the wonder will always remain.  He could not sleep on Christmas Eve and went downstairs at 12:05am to see if Santa had been there because that is when NORAD said he would be.  We had the stockings out and Santa treats gone, but not the presents under the tree yet.  JP saw all this and I thought for sure he realized something was up.  He later told us that he thinks he scared off Santa and he had to come back later to put the presents there.  Of course we told him he was a very lucky kid for Santa to swing back by!

We had so much fun over the holidays and the week that everyone was here that I wish I would have remembered to pull out my camera more.  But here's quite a few pictures of our wonderful Christmas 2010.

Lots of stories were read:

We had some great family dinners and the turtle candies were a big hit!

Lights at the Botanic Gardens:

Wow!  Pa's gloves are big!

Not long now until the newest cousin arrives!

JP brought his polar bear Snowy.

Snacks afterward are always good!

Beauty shop!

Getting ready for just the girls to go shopping with Pa for Nana's presents (obviously Ryan was upset he was not included).

Lunch with Pa:

My little fashionista:

JP loved entertaining the trio by acting like Santa:

Christmas Eve- Eloise arrives with the Bon Appetit 2010 Holiday Cake- yum!

Everyone waits patiently as Aunt Kat hands out the drinks:

The Crists:

The O'Reillys

Anne & the little one by the tree:

 

Aunt Kat got JP a new hat!!

3 little princesses:

George taking it all in:

Rody the cow was a big hit!

Aunt Kat with her Boston print for her new home:

The elves brought everyone pj's again!  Aunt Carolyn entertains:

Treats for Santa:

JP's note:  I hope you like the milk and cookies. JRCM want: R wants a truck, C wants a tiger, M wants the same. I want Wii games. From JRCM

Santa came.  Watch out- here comes the trio on wheels!  Triplet note: we had to send the blue one back for another orange because Ryan would not ride the blue!  Ah, never a dull moment.

Watching JP open his games:

Ryan felt the need to finish off every last crumb that Santa left behind.

I'm still not sure why Joe put a can of anchovies in JP's stocking!

Ryan in heaven with all his cars and truck:

Maddie, our resident hoarder, with almost all her new gifts!

Trying to get a few more stories in before everyone headed home:

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Seeing Santa

Tonight we headed over to Bass Pro Shops to see Santa and have dinner at their restaurant afterward.  It's starting to become tradition.  Last year we went during a snowstorm and had to wait no time at all.  This year I stood in line while Joe entertained the kids by letting them ride on the ATVs and look at the fish.  The line actually moved pretty fast considering how many people were waiting to see the Man in Red.  As we got closer Ryan started to get upset and sure enough he was all tears by the time we got up to Santa.  Caitlin didn't even want to get close to him when it was our turn.  The result- a classic picture we'll laugh at for years to come!  JP did manage to get everyone's wishes for Santa out to the big guy and he was very proud of himself for telling him.  JP still believes 100% and it is so fun to watch him still get mesmerized as he talked to him..  The final wish list: Ryan- a truck, both Caitlin and Madison want a stuffed Tiger, and JP wants Wii games.

Joe feeding the trio some snacks while we were waiting:

Checking out the snowman:

Big eyes!

JP walked right up, Madison was so excited she danced her way there, Ryan held onto Dad's hand and Caitlin was waaaay back- not really wanting to go!

A classic shot!

Cereal

Ryan, Caitlin and Madison are getting bigger by the minute it seems.  They are all talking in complete sentences to each other, making up games together and getting into mischief together too!  The latest thing they have mastered is eating cereal for breakfast.  They love it!  We have been going through so much cereal and milk lately its crazy.  It's amazing that in just watching them eat reflects so much of their personalities!

 The girls bed head is awesome!

 

Could she be any cuter?!

 Cleaning up with a napkin after each drip.

 No one had to teach Ryan how to do this!

Just a random super cute picture I took of the girls!

Making Pierogi

We always have Pierogi as the main course for our Christmas Eve dinner.  Because they take some time, I decided to do them early this year so I could enjoy the week before Christmas even more.  We have both sets of parents coming in for the first time ever at Christmas.  Also joining us will be Aunt Kathryn from Boston, Sean 's family and Carolyn's family and mother-in-law Jean.  With 19 for Christmas Eve dinner, our little house will be packed to the rafters!

Peirogi making!

 

Halfway through the process I gained a helper.  He loves to roll out some dough and make some of his own pierogi.

 
Almost done!

 I also didn't have to worry about the left over filling.  JP ate up the cold sauerkraut in about 30 seconds. Yep, there's definitely some Polish in that kid!

 I also did bake cookies this year.  I even let the trio help make some.  Unfortunately, I was so focused on keeping them from eating everything and putting their hands on everything that I didn't get any pictures.  Next year for sure!  As for JP, he did help me do some cookie decorating one afternoon.  No matter how crazy we decorate them, they still taste great...especially if you like a lot of sprinkles! I love this time of year!!

It's a Bug's Holiday!

This year JP's school put on a Christmas show called A Bug's Holiday with the kids in K-2.  Everyone was supposed to dress up like a bug.  JP wanted to be a black tick.  After finding a picture, Googling how to make spider legs, a trip to the thrift store and a few pairs of my old tights later I think he was looking pretty good!

We brought the trio and they loved watching all the kids sing.  The gymnasium was filled with a few hundred bugs and it was so cute.  JP is getting to an age where he thinks some of it was silly, but I know he still had a great time!

The Black Tick!

 

Madison looking over the program:

Amist a see of bugs

JP with his friend Alex below him:

 

Spencer, Amani, and Sullivan:

Caitlin and Dad enjoying the show:

A little piece of the opening number.  It's amazing how many kiddos there are at that school!

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