So long, 2011

It's been a great year filled with lots of sweet everyday events and one momentous and amazing one. We're looking forward to 2012. Happy New Year!

Christmas Week

We celebrated an extended Christmas holiday starting last Thursday. We traveled to Fort Thomas to spend a couple of days with my parents and Lu & Kurt. While there we were reunited with our friend Archie, and we made our traditional trip to the Krohn Conservatory to see the flowers, trains, and the live nativity.

We made it home on Saturday in time for church, then some waiting to see if Santa would come (evidently our elf, Uhdoh didn't report on the naughties that happened the other week). He did, and we had a lazy Christmas morning enjoying time with each other. Then our parents came for Christmas dinner and another lazy day together on Monday.

Miles is in Berne for a couple of days (it's so quiet here!). Looking forward to having him home tomorrow and to another long weekend!

Counting down...

Less than a week to go. The tree is decorated. And often undecorated at some point during the day by a certain little busybody.

The lights are up outside. And seriously, our street looks amazing. Nearly everyone did this same thing. So cool.

The boys decorated playdough ornaments.

Or tried to eat them and the markers.

This little elf has not been doing his job. The boys in this house have been extra naughty! I'm hoping it's just the cough they've had the last week and that their behavior improves each day as they feel better.

We paid a visit to Santa on Saturday at Conner Prairie. Miles was pumped to tell Santa that he wants "presents."

John wanted nothing to do with the jolly man.

Sweet baby Lauren in her cheesy reindeer antlers. I think the dog wore these last year.

She's become quite interested in her little play mat.

And finally, Miles' head peeking over the rail. So cute. He wanted to talk to his the "baby girl." I love how he says this - "hi baby girrrlll."

We're so looking forward to spending the holiday with our families!

Progression of a Smile

Love, love, love to see her smile. Those funny, "I don't know what I'm doing with my face" kind of smiles. Those "my big brothers are the funniest people on earth" smiles. This little angel is two months old today. I can hardly believe it. She sure makes all of us smile.

A little about what Lauren is up to...

She is growing like a weed. Seems so loong to me. See her legs sticking out from her swaddling? She still eats well, about 7x per day. And she gave me my first uninterrupted night of sleep last night. Aahhh! Lauren lights up whenever her brothers are around, especially Miles. I'm afraid John must look like the kid in Toy Story 3 who puts her giant open mouth over Buzz to Lauren. He's always going in for the big smooch. She coos more now but has quite a holler, too. Particularly when she wants to be held which is always at dinnertime.

A few more pictures...

These are phone pics from 2 days and 8 weeks. Changed much?

It's starting to look more and more like Christmas around here. Our friend, Uhdoh (John named him) arrived several days ago. The boys are having lots of fun finding him each morning.

The Christmas cards are ready to be mailed.

Our Advent project is in full swing.

The children are enjoying watching Christmas specials in the big bed.

This little lady is quite the charmer. Smiling up a storm, particularly for her big brothers.

And I had to include this one. Uncle Ben sent this shirt for Lauren to wear later on. It's quite appropriate for this boy right now though.

Next up on our to do list is actually to get our tree. We need to get on it so that it's up long enough to enjoy!

Thanksgiving

My favorite holiday has come and gone, but oh what a wonderful weekend we've had. We were thankful to have my parents come to us this year for the weekend, thankful for an amazing meal, thankful to spend lots of relaxing downtime with our funny children (I don't know how many times we've said that this weekend - how funny Miles and John are). All of the boys did some work outside planting a new tree, loading lots of firewood, throwing dirt clods all over the place. And my parents were kind enough to watch the wild ones while Josh and I had a date night. Perfect!

I didn't take too many pictures this weekend. But here are a couple of the boys during/after dinner. John devoured his meal like it was his last. And then they both helped to clean up. Notice John had to have all of his clothes removed before getting out of his seat. That's how much he liked his dinner.

Lauren is growing like a weed. I'm excited to see how big she is next week since she seems to have grown so much lately. She isn't all curled up anymore. Her face and hands are getting chubby. She's smiling! Miles loves to make her smile. It makes my heart so happy to watch these boys love on their sister. They are truly amazing big brothers to Lauren and to each other. Lauren is also starting to coo a little . She's so alert and starting to be interested in what's going on around her. And there is a lot going on around her.

Miles' Birthday

A little recap of our oldest's 4th birthday week.

Wednesday turned out to be a busy day - school, a dr. appointment for Lauren that ran way long (scratching our plans for lunch with daddy), a substitute of McDonald's drive-thru (still a hit), nap, swimming, and finally dinner and dessert. Miles' picked his dinner - Some Guys Pizza for the second year in a row - and I made dirt cake. The gummies inside were a surprise and a hit.

We had presents and then a big treat - Grandma and Grandpa arrived! More presents and playtime, then bed. Busy but as Miles likes to say, "it was a fun day!"

Vehicles were the theme of the day - Aunty Lu and Uncle Dirt sent a circle truck. This year Miles was into commenting on everything he received. It was "really cool" or "ahh, neat." So cute!

Then a Cars race track. He literally screamed when the cars whirred around. So excited!

And of course, he can never have enough basketballs.

Lauren dressed up for the big day.

We had decent weather the rest of the week. The boys had to play some outside basketball. Can you tell John just woke up from his nap?

Miles looks like he's up to no good.

From Friday. This child is hilarious. Really, he is a funny little boy.

Sweet Lauren at 5 weeks. At her one month dr. appointment, all looked good. She is weighing in at a whopping 8lbs, 4.5oz (25%) and measuring at 22 inches (75%).

Saturday we had a small birthday party for Miles. We told him he could invite four friends since he was turning four. There was a (very loose) pirate theme. I was the only one who got into character. But everyone seemed to have a good time.

Birthday Boy

Happy 4th Birthday to our sweet Miles. On this day you made us a mommy and a daddy, and we couldn't be happier. You are an amazing, happy, funny, sweet little boy. You love basketball and baseball, reading, school, trucks and heavy road equipment, and being a big brother. You make us so proud and thrilled to watch you grow and to be your parents. Love you, M!

One Month Old

This little sweetie is one month old today. Can't believe it. It's going way too fast. She is starting to fit into those little pink clothes. Starting to keep her little navy eyes open a little longer each day. Starting to keep an eye on her big brothers. Lauren sleeps so well. I hope I'm not jinxing myself by putting that into print. She is getting spoiled. It's hard not to hold her when she smells so good and is so warm and snuggly, though.

These pictures are kind of funny. She likes to furrow her brow. And I just love the funny baby proportions. Her head looks so big on her narrow shoulders. And her belly looks so round. Her skin is a little flaky now. Lotion freak here would love to use some but I'm resisting.

Our other children are not being neglected around here. We just haven't done too much that has called for picture taking. A certain little boy in this house has a birthday this week, though, so he'll have his own post coming up here soon.

Four Weeks Old