Play, Dance, and Watch Daddy's Car Get Towed

I haven't been very good at taking pictures lately. Though, I have been trying to take more videos of the kids. I want to remember our everyday lives. I want to always remember what their voices sound like.

Anyway, here's a glimpse of how life is at our house. I almost hate to write this, but the kids have been getting along so well lately. They play so nicely and creatively together. Don't get me wrong. A fight may break out, but they are few and far between.

The car rug is back in the rotation. It's been providing lots of fun and entertainment for all the kids. Stella and Isaac are especially loving it.

The twin bond between Stella and Isaac is extremely strong. They are besties!

Some things never change. Any activity outside our window always draws a crowd. On this particular day the tow truck came to our house to tow Daddy's car to the shop. (Extremely dead battery.) The tow truck guy told me he felt like a celebrity with all the kids watching his every move. It doesn't get much better than watching a car get loaded on a big truck!

It is not uncommon to find Owen with his pants like this. (That is when he has pajama pants on.) He is our blanket bandit! He loves blankets and anything that might feel like a blanket. Well, these green pajama pants are fuzzy like a blanket and a bit big on him. So, what does he do? Pulls the pants up to his shoulders and warms up. He even had Carson doing it with him the other night.

PS These two are still the best of friends.

Last week all four kids put their slippers on (no matching necessary) and decided to have a pants optional freeze-frame dance party. Music would play then when it would stop they would freeze. The music would play and they could get their groove on again. The kids made this seem like it was the best thing they'd done in ages! It was great to watch.

Times like these are the best!

1.2.12

We now have one boy and one girl in our family who are FOUR!

We only had a small celebration on Stella's and Isaac's special day. We will be celebrating their birthday in a more festive manner at a later date. One in which they will appreciate their presents a little more. A day a little further away from Christmas. (A day where their mother won't be so crazy and stressed from all that Christmas brought.)

Carson and Owen were the first to wake. I think they were as excited that it was Stella's and Isaac's birthday as the birthday kids were. Stella and Isaac woke up happy to the house decorated and their birthday table full of gifts. They are so excited to be four years old.

We did things a little backwards this morning. We first sang 'Happy Birthday' and opened gifts, then we decided to blow out candles on the cakes after singing 'Happy Birthday' again.

Isaac couldn't help himself. The frosting was calling his name!

Stella and Carson sampled her cake and frosting.

Can you guess what we had for breakfast?

(This means one thing. It must be someone's birthday!)

A big birthday mess.

Jump for joy! It's our birthday!

Happy birthday Stella!

Happy birthday Isaac!

We love you very much.

Party Planning 101

Happy 2012!

When my kids learned it was new year's eve they got excited. They of course have no idea why or what it means, but after watching television they learned that you get to go to a party on new year's eve. They couldn't wait to hear where we were all going to party.

We, of course, had no new year's plans.

Party plans were made when the kids learned this. The oldest twins went into full party planning mode. In a matter of six minutes they had our entire evening planned.

The next thing I know is my first born was asking where our Pin the Tail on the Donkey game was. When I informed him we don't have one he took matters into his own hands. Before I knew it he had made us a Pin the Nose on the Guy game. He even drew and cut out six noses. Labeled each one with our initials and put tape on the back of them.

Our new year's party started with wheelbarrow races. The winner got to pin the nose on the guy first. Second place went second, and etc.

After those two activities were over the kids wanted to do puzzle races. Due to Pin the Nose on the Guy lasting a littler longer than anticipated we skipped the puzzle races and went strait to the party poppers, champagne (faux) and strawberries.

The kids loved it! A little more than I thought they would. And they seemed a little too comfortable drinking that champagne ;)

We then all headed upstairs to try out my new s'mores maker. (A Christmas present from my kids.) The s'mores were delightful and extremely gooey!

I couldn't think of a better way to bring in the new year.

It was a great night!

Christmases 2011

We celebrated our family Christmas this year the evening of the 22nd. We were no longer puking at our house so that was good. We went out for dinner then came home to open Christmas presents. My husband joked that is was an expensive meal since only two out of the six people ate. Our stomachs still weren't right. The kids loved having what they call fake Christmas. We all got nice things.

The family truckster got loaded up on the 23 (Friday) and we headed north to Boom's and Gee's house. Traditions were followed. Cookies got decorated followed by (most of the) grandkids in the "round and round" tub.

Christmas eve was spent hanging out, watching football, going to mass, coming home to chat, having a wonderful prime rib dinner along with other fantastic food then cleaning up the mess before opening presents. And, oh boy did presents get opened. Christmas is so much fun with little kids. They truly make it magical.

Santa found us in Nebraska. I believe everybody was thrilled with what Santa brought them. Isaac even got his bowling alley. Ask and you shall receive, I guess. Santa is quite a guy.

On Christmas day we went to my parents house. My mom had her extended family over for dinner. It's so nice getting to spend Christmas with my aunts, uncles, cousins and grandma. It's great that we are able to still do this.

All the cousins, their kids, and Grandma Porter

After everybody left we decided it was as good as time as any to have Christmas with my parents, siblings and their families. The kids were thrilled with the decision to open presents at night rather than waiting another day to do so. Christmas dinner was on the 26th before everybody had to get back for work the next day. Another wonderful prime rib dinner. We are spoiled!

The rest of our time in Nebraska was spent chatting and catching up. The kids played wonderfully and loved the fact that Nebraska had snow so Papa could pull them on the sled behind the golf cart. Red-neck sledding? All that matters is the kids loved it.

You know we live in a climate that has little snow when my kids were excited to see all the snow on the ground. (Yes, there's hardly any snow.)

Merry Christmas and thank you all for making it memorable one!