We spent Thanksgiving at home with just the 5 of us. It was nice, but kind of quiet. Or as quiet as it can be with three young kids...so nix the quiet part. It was...simple and easy. Then the hustle and bustle of Christmas started. Christmas parties for work and school, making lists and checking them twice, and then making sure I had each day accounted for with childcare for the boys since they would be out of school for nearly three weeks!
In early December, we took the kids to ride on the Polar Express in New Orleans. It was "so much fun!" according to the two of them. We enjoyed their wonderment and spirit. :)
Christmas. It's the most wonderful time of the year. The kids are usually pretty well-behaved so as to avoid being on Santa's Naughty List. And after Santa came this year, they commented that they must have been really good! DS wanted an Xbox and Drew wanted a Star Wars Death Star blanket. A blanket. Bless this sweet child of mine who only wants A BLANKET for Christmas! I'm not sure what Maggie wanted since she can't tell us in verbal or written form just yet, but maybe next year she'll be more vocal about something her heart desires.
 |
| "Maggie, no! No, Maggie!" |
At any rate, Christmas with kids gets more and more fun each year. Every year I think to myself, "This is the perfect age!" And then the next year is better. And I know at some point it will no longer top the year before, but I really want that time to be a LONG way away! I truly LOVE the awe and love and excitement the kids have for Jesus, Santa, Clarke the Elf, and all things associated with Christmas at the ages they are now.
We had Christmas with the Anders side at Rachel's house since Ashleigh was so close to her due date.
 |
| Love this pic! |
Then we came back home for Mamaw, MiMi, Lee, and Kasie to come down. The usual festivities began -- cookies, movies, eating -- the BEST part of Christmas are the traditions both old and new.
 |
| Lee won...again. |
 |
| Drew: NOW can we open presents?!? |
 |
| Maggie loves her little activity table. |
 |
| Thor costume...tied with his blanket for favorite gift! |
Christmas always comes too quickly, then it passes just as fast and the holidays are over before you know it. But this year, we got a delayed Christmas present. Lillian Ruth Anders made her grand debut about a week early on December 30th just after lunch. So Maggie and I hightailed it up so we could see her. Maggie totally didn't understand about being gentle with the baby, but she still gave her a sweet kiss on the head when we left to come back home the next morning. Sweet Lily Roo, we love you and can't wait to watch you grow up with this rowdy crew!
 |
| Proud aunts with our niece! |
 |
| Maggie and her baby cousin, Lily |
 |
| Lily looks a little (or A LOT) like her daddy! |
No comments:
Post a Comment