Merry and Bright

I have been out of touch for awhile here because my exciting, brand new, laptop died.  34 days old, and it needs a new motherboard.  This time, I swear to God, I didn't do anything to it!  I revved up the old one because I was dying to finish this post.  I have also composed at least six more entries in my head since the laptop died.  Luckily, I had uploaded all of these photos to Blogger awhile ago so I just need to finish up the captions.  I am 23 minutes into an episode of Pretty Little Liars and I just managed to get logged in.  Sigh. 

I hope Santa was good to you this year.  This Christmas at our house was so different from the last two.  First of all, they got it.  Sort of.  We watched a lot of Christmas specials.  They recognized Santa and elves. We crammed the story of the Nativity with books and the Little People Nativity set.  They recognized Jesus, Mary and Joseph.  Although when on Christmas Eve the Little People were all riding on the Firetruck (I believe Mary was driving) and when their Aunt Patti was trying to explain to them that it was the Baby Jesus' birthday (using the little plastic baby Jesus) I don't think they quite got it.  Plus one of our books from the library kind of made it sound like the Three Wise Men brought the Baby Jesus with them.  But they sort of got it.  And it was amazing.  We took them to church on Christmas Eve (brave, brave souls) and Ben was kind of loudly asking where Jesus was.  When the minister was giving the sermon, he didn't understand why he couldn't see the pictures of the story he was reading.  Maggie kept asking if they were going to sing Jingle Bells next.  When we left?  Both of them said how much fun it was.  We really need to start going to church. 

So here we have our Christmas week in pictures. There are stories to so many of them, things I wanted to say.  But Blogger and my computer are not getting along tonight, so I think I will keep my captions short. 

Every year my parents have an open house at Christmas time.  For the past couple of years, my kids have been the entertainment, particularly the smiley one.        

So Mia wears a lot of hand me downs.  I specifically remembered this one being the outfit she wore to my parents open house, so I put Mia in it.  I included a couple of vintage Maggie to compare.  Really, I know they eyes and the build is the same, but I think she looks more like Ben most of the time. 

 We made cookies at Nama's house. 

They did a great job with "frinkles"

Mia doesn't like smushed up bananas. 

Adding the two newbies to the Christmas photos.  Not an easy task. 

The wrestling genes are natural. 

As always, Mia has a smile for everyone.  She is honest to God just the happiest baby.  She smiles all the time, she is social, she snuggles with her Mama. . .she is laid back and easy going.  Maybe it is being the third child.  Maybe it is the Zoloft Mommy is on.  But man, do I love that girl.  My sunshine. 

This one is pretty cute too.  He LOVED his new Ernie stuff.  As soon as he unwrapped things at Nama and Grandpa's Christmas Eve morning, he was asking "can we take this home?  To my house?" and was so excited for his new toys.  The clothes not so much. 

This is how I spent a lot of Christmas.  Mia picks such great times to eat. 

After church when we arrived at their house again for the big family dinner, Maggie went straight for the nativity scene.  She gathered everyone including one very large monkey around the baby Jesus.  I guess she was paying attention. 

My big handsome boy.  36 inches and 30 pounds.  Handsome.  Stubborn.  Sweet.  Two. 

I don't know why this is so dark, and my Mom was trying to do her "zoom in and out with her feet technique" but here is a Christmas Eve photo in front of the tree.  Starting with my big pregnant belly, to us with the two little ones to our complete family, what a difference a few years can make. 

Andy with all his cousins, and one little Maggie who insisted on being in the pictures. 

Mia has learned how to sit, although maintaining the position is still kinda sketchy.  Parker looks like he is checking out her newfound skill. 

Nama with her girls. 

The clan grows.  I am so lucky, and so glad to be a part of this family.  I really hope these kids will always be close. 

This years Santa letter was interesting.  I asked them for suggestions on what to write.  Here we go. 

After Santa arrived. . .

When I ordered our family stockings for the first Christmas, we ordered an extra matching blank one "just in case".  It was so nice to put a name on that reindeer this year. 

Christmas morning they were tired.  We were up late the night before, and I honestly don't know if they remembered what day it was.  We found Maggie and Ben together in bed giggling and threw Mia in there for a photo opportunity in our snazzy matching jammies. 

They were both really excited about the dollhouse.  Maggie was very concerned though because there wasn't a potty to use immediately.  I guess Santa should have thought of that.  She had a bathroom set wrapped under the tree, no worries. 

Mia was really into this one.  Music, lights, good job Santa!

Another big hit was a bathtub set that was intended for Kee.  I don't know why it surprised me at all that Ben put Ernie in there and they shared a bath.  It's not like anyone here gets a bathtub to themselves. 

I think Fuzzy Bear was a hit. 

Smiley girl with BaBa.  I love this one, because I actually caught Gram laughing.  It seems like a lot of my pictures of her are smiles for the camera, this one was delight over the baby. 

We are referring to this as the ridiculous purple hat.  I love it. 

Maggie got some styling new boots. 

Everyone playing with blocks. 

We wore some interesting combinations of festive holiday wear to my parents for dinner and more presents. 

Ben has been loving his Curious George books.  This was me playing with my new camera lens. 

Reading books with BaBa.  Both of them can "read" all the books in this series.  It is so much fun to listen to. 

Another recycled outfit, and man, did she look adorable!

My parents set up my old train in the basement, HUGE hit, and I couldn't believe it was still running. 

Lots of high fashion, celebrating Grandpa's birthday. 

No, that's not Mia.   That's my nephew Parker, and yes, this picture is being saved for future use.  Girlfriend?  Senior roast?

Maggie loved this outfit.  Can you blame her?

We took Mia's pictures about two weeks late, but she did a fabulous job. 

And that is it.  I promise you, there have been many witty, sweet, poignant thoughts that I have wanted to blog, but since this post took me forever, I can't see them becoming part of this blog.  Hopefully, Dell will get on top of things soon.  Even if my motherboard is back ordered until the 20th.  Sigh. 

I hope your holidays were Merry and Bright!