Merry Christmas!

This weekend seemed like a totally different Christmas to me. Jeff was off work on Friday - so we got to hang out and enjoy him being here all day! Love the days he gets off work!

Saturday - Christmas - was quite calm. I mean calm, as in we had nothing going on. Usually we are traveling here or there, having people all around, making the rounds to the different houses as we try to stop and enjoy a few minutes with everyone. But not this Christmas. We had decided we were staying home.

Our morning was the girls getting up and us reading the Christmas Story, then Haley delivered everyone's presents. We had decided to go light on the presents this year - to simply not overload the kids with "stuff". It was hard on both Jeff and I to not just buy and buy all the stuff we wanted to surprise the girls with.

Merry Christmas!!

Caitlin was helping Daddy make our fire!

Haley reading Caitlin's new books to her.

Daddy's little snuggle bug!

Haley picked out a candle for me.

My oldest brother, who lives in town, had us for Christmas dinner. Lamb. My first reaction to that was ... yuck, who eats lamb? But it was actually ok. It didn't taste too much off of beef.

Sunday came - and we just relaxed around the house again.

And then came Monday. :) This is the Christmas that I seemed most normal. We had all the cousins over - and then some. It was crazy and chaotic! But I LOVED it! So there was 9 kids and 12 adults! The house seemed to be bursting at the seams, and it was wonderful! We had casual finger foods of plenty, and of course lots of desserts!

My brother Holl and his wife Stacye got to come home for Christmas - this is always such a big hit for the kids!! They LOVE Uncle Holl!!! CH would not leave his side for much of anything!

A visit from Holl would not be normal with out some kind of pile on! So of course, yesterday - the kids were wrestling - and Holl was right in the middle of them. At some point he had them all pinned down in one big pile, with one hand. Then, pretty sure it was Haley Grace, one of them flew off an ottoman onto his back, almost tackling him. Little E came running from one direction, in some kind of a drop kick motion, landing right on top of MV and CR - with a gun strapped to his side and another in hand mind you.

Before we knew it - it was time for everyone to return to their own houses. The chaos ceased, and the house went quiet.

All of this was on Jeff and I's anniversary. Yesterday was our 9th anniversary! Like many - we spent it with family. One of these days, we duck out of the family chaos and go have a date.

At least he got to come home at lunch and enjoy it all with us. By the time dinner came, I was so exhausted, we just sat and watched some TV and went to bed a little early. That's what pregnancy is for me - it makes me so tired. Oh well.

Christmas

Haley sang in the choir again this year.

She LOVES singing in the choir! Look at that giddiness on her face! :)

Decided to try getting a picture of the girls together in the outfits Papa Jan got them, and here's how it went -

attempt #2

Well, maybe if Daddy holds Caitlin it would work a little better. :)

Ok - so just letting her run up to me and smile for me works just fine.

Me and Haley Grace - note the missing top tooth!

Here is our little lady

and my poor attempt to get us all in one picture.

Oh Christmas Tree!

So, it's been a while since I've updated, but I've been slow taking pictures, so there's not alot to put on here. :(

October came and went. I turned 31, Haley has been better

in school, Caitlin is becoming more adventurous, and Jeff has been working hard on some projects around the house! He made me a counter top (wood) and stained it a dark stain. I LOVE it! He also made me new cabinet doors for the cabinets in the laundry room. They look a wold different and wonderfully different I might add! He's the best!

Our new counter top!

My new laundry room! I LOVE IT!!!

November came and went really quickly it seems. For Thanksgiving we had it here - 17 people total! 8 adults and 9 kids!! To top the chaos (although it was not that chaotic) - it was cold and rainy. Thankfully, the rain held off for a little while and the kids got to play outside for a bit.

Unfortunately - we didn't take one picture of Thanksgiving. :(

December is finally here!! Haley Grace and I have been itching to start all the Christmas decorations and music. But we had to wait until the day after Thanksgiving. So last weekend we went to find our tree!! YAY! And Caitlin was a little excited too! We came home from Lowe's with a new tree and colored lights (as per Haley's request).

Haley with her new ornament.

Caitlin helping put on ornaments too! Although she enjoyed taking them OFF way more!

"What?? I'm not taking them off again."

Haley got to put the star on top.

And finally - Caitlin is so tired. She just wanted to curl up on Daddy's shoulder and snuggle! That's why Daddy calls her his cuddle bug.

I am now 31 weeks pregnant! YAY! Not too much longer to go. Although if you add in an extra 2 weeks for the baby to take his time like his sisters did - then it's a little over 10 weeks left. Either way - I'm getting big. And this boy is more active than his sisters were I think. He's not still very long at a time, and he usually decides to start his entertaining right as I lay down to go to sleep! He's causing me so HUGE heart burn. I did have that with the girls, but this time is much worse. Other than that, I am feeling really great with him!