Top 5 List: Christmas Version

TOP 5 INDICATIONS YOU HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN AT CHRISTMAS

5. You had to remove the back seats from the van to prepare for family Christmas visits.

4. You plan ahead by taking gobs of large shopping bags for ease of loading.

3. You've done 3 loads of laundry, consisting of all new clothes. One of those loads consisted entirely of socks and underwear. (stocking stuffer of choice!)

2. It takes you 3 days to clear the plethora of brimming bags and boxes from visits to find homes for all the new stuff.

1. You have to re-arrange kids' bedrooms to make it all work! Really, I did!

"Elefun" was a real hit at the Ellis Christmas. The kids loved it!These are altered cookie sheets I made for our parents to hang on their fridges. I thought they turned out nice, so I snapped a pic of them to remember procedures. Some day, I'd like to do one for myself!

Merry Christmas and Thanks!

Hanna tries out Joel's new guitar!
Joel and Dad work on his very first LEGO set. He loves 'em!

The whirlwind of our children being spoiled is long from over, but I wanted to post a few pics. Thanks to our family for hosting a fab Christmas. Thanks to Mom, Dad, Erik, Susan, Henry, Jerry, and Joe & JK. JK, the kids love the shirts, but I must warn you: there are some other aunts out there who will, no doubt, try to get a piece of the credit! Happy Holidays!

BRRRR!

As many of you are also experiencing, we are in the throes of bitter cold! For the past 2 nights, Andy's built a nice fire for us, but then this morning, he had to go to work - so no fire today. Here's how much the kids like snuggling up to the warmth (basically sitting on top of it so their backs are burning) and then how "happy" they were this morning getting out of bed to a chilly livingroom! Warm thoughts and Merry Christmas from the Waltons!

Whew December!

Too cute!

Is that Joel looking all forlorn?

Aunt Cindy and Cousin Kara did a great job on the cake!

Now she can keep up with Joel!

What busy month we've been having! Graduate work is cumbersome, the Christmas musical at school was exhausting, and this weekend: our princess turned 3 ! Can you believe it? Friday, she received a new bicycle (which I'm sure she'll master quickly, considering she's been trick-riding the ATV for over a year!), and Saturday was her big party with the family. 'Twas the night of Barbies and games! Time to find storage containers for all these small parts...we're officially a Barbie house! In case things get too "whirlwind" this last week, Happy Holidays to everyone!