Sunday, December 15, 2013

Family Traditions

We celebrated an early Christmas with my family and extended Nickolay family this weekend.  We have many traditions - some things we've been doing for years.

We spent Saturday at my parents' house.  There is something about a baby that brings out lots of love in everyone.  Baby Rylan didn't have a moment to himself because everyone was snuggling this little cutie.

The morning began with our third annual gingerbread decorating event.  The parents of all of the kiddos still have a huge influence on the outcomes of the project and sometimes more candy and sprinkles are eaten than placed on the houses.


Everyone feels proud of their work.


This party marks the last year we will celebrate anything in this house.  After 30+ years my parents are selling the house they raised our family in and are moving on to smaller and better things.

The annual girl picture - pomegranate and prosecco drinks in hand.

The annual guy picture - toasting with a beer.

Opening stockings.

Our two pretty, matching little girls.

Me and my little brother.  It's always fun to hang out with him - too bad he doesn't live closer!  (hint, hint)

Wow - that's a lot of presents!  We actually made a conscious effort to cut way back this year. 

Lots of cooks in the kitchen preparing a dinner of appetizers.

Per tradition, I make everyone pose for a family photo.  I know at some point someone will thank me for these.

Playing so nicely with Miles' new fishing game.

We're ready to head to the KC Hall in New Prague for party number two this weekend. 

Everyone's eating the chicken and ham dinner.

Like I said - everyone's so happy holding a baby!

The littlest kids accompany my aunts Sue and Carol by ringing bells during the Christmas carol sing-along.


This year everyone took a turn pulling the strings on the pinata only to find out that old Grandpa Nickolay had all of the treats for the kids in a box next to his chair.  The pinata was empty!


Miles and Hadley with their Great-Grandpa and Great-Great Aunt Lucille.

Four generations.

I got to celebrate with all 3 of my Godsons today.  I'm a lucky lady.

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Magic of the Season

Christmas has always been my favorite time of year.  It's at least a month filled with festivities, sprinkly treats, sparkly decorations, twinkly lights and magic.  I love that every day we move a little bear around a holiday house on our advent calendar, run to turn the lights on the tree first thing in the morning, actually enjoy the snow (it's so pretty this time of year) and feel so warm and cuddly peering out from the inside - nestled together with hot chocolate by the fire.

To calm the kids one night as we were getting ready for bed I sang Away in the Manager.
Hadley:  Why didn't Jesus have a bed?
Miles:  Aren't there stores in Heaven?
Me:  Jesus was born on earth in a town called Bethlehem.
Hadley:  I want to buy a crib for baby Jesus.
Me:  Where would you buy a crib?
Hadley:  Costco.

I was sitting at the kitchen counter meal planning for the week and making our grocery list.  I told Miles he could pick his favorite thing to eat and I would make it for one of our dinners.  He requested, "a butter sandwich only filled with butter."

After our visit to Santa today Miles was very concerned that in his shyness he didn't articulate to Santa exactly what he wants for Christmas.  (He just saw an Octonauts toy in the Target ad and even though I've never heard of it he's been obsessing about it ever since and says that's all he wants for Christmas.)  He told me, "Mom, text Santa so he knows what to bring me."  I explained to him that we can't just call Santa and that Santa sees that he's been a good boy and has heard him each time he's said what he wants for Christmas.  

After making homemade sugar cookie dough and cutting out lots of Christmas shapes the decorating began.

Lots of icing and sprinkles makes for very yummy cookies.



We met two of Santa's reindeer today.

This was our first pancake breakfast with Santa.


Hadley's eyes are so expressive  - she's giving me that look.


Mike captured this picture of me and my favorite boy.

Santa gave each of the kids a big candy cane and while Miles crunched his and was done quickly Hadley sucked and slobbered on that thing - savoring every sugary moment.



Ho, ho, ho!



Sunday, December 1, 2013

So thankful for...

My healthy children (Miles at floor hockey).  Miles had surgery at Ridgeview Medical Center on Tuesday to get his right ear tub removed.  Everything went very well and he had a quick recovery.  (He doesn't even remember it!)
The ability to provide a good life for my family

Happy kids, a Thanksgiving Day spent with family, delicious food and walks by the near frozen lake

The warmth of our home

Delicious hot chocolate

Watching daddy put Christmas lights up on a tree outside

Laughter

A beautiful 10 foot Christmas tree, decorating the house, sharing the joy of rediscovering all of our Christmas tree ornaments, a date night with my husband (Christmas shopping, Thai food, and Catching Fire), the best babysitters next door (thanks mom and dad)

My little doll all dolled up

My handsome boy

Loving siblings

My wonderful family

A sense of humor and being goofy

Getting in the holiday spirit with a trip to the theater to see "Llama Llama Holiday Drama"

My daughter who declared she wants to sing and dance on stage

A great life (Hadley staring adoringly at Llama Llama after the show)
 Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker