Christmas Trip 2010

Family, friends and food!

Christmas 2009

Christmas this year brings a guitar and a vibrating chair. Both well loved!

WOW! This really works!

Celebrating with MaSue and Patsy and all their family!

Christmas time 2008

A wonderful visit from Aunty Audie and Uncle Rick!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Christmas 2007

Ava 2 1/2

Michael 4 1/2

Merry christmas Henry

Grammie got this light up stacking rings for the LG for Christmas. He loves them!!!

Squeaking in a christmas gift early...

Ava wrote out a very detailed christmas list for Santa, us, Grammie...

It included:

"a DS, two games, bracliss, necliss, a farey book with necliss" and lots of "plees and thank yous."

It was adorable.

Grammie and I went shopping and we did our best.

Michael's list was as follows:

1. Lamborgini

2. Lamborgini police car

That's it folks!

When I said I have never seen a Lamborgini police car, he was quick to reply "That's ok mom, santa just invents this stuff."

Fantastic.

Well Grammie and I found some awesome stuff and she graciously let them open a present before she left. Even though their behavior was questionable when I was in NY. And even though Michael said some unfiltered comments when she arrived like "Did you bring me a present, I hope it's not a book." This was only slightly better than last year when he told her "Dont waste your money Grammie, I only like cars."

And the all time classic Michael comment. I was laying down the law before leaving and said you will not get any presents from Grammie if you are not a good listener and a big helper. And she has bought you many very nice things."

 Michael being his ever blunt self responded with "Well that's good because she didnt buy us a thing last year."

Gasp! Nearly every last thing under the tree was from Grammie and Grandpa Quarter. He even wrote her a very nice thank you for all the wonderful items and how lucky he felt to have such an awesome grammie. How soon we forget Michael.

Well Michael's early gift was OF COURSE a lamborgini. Which has been glued to his hand ever since. He will tell you all about the specs, if you will listen.

Henry got a light up stacking rings toy. Which he loves, makes him dance and clap and smile (picts to follow).

And Ava got a super cool nail art book which we immediately put to good use:

Obviously we have a little more work to do on how Christmas is the season for GIVING not RECEIVING. I am glad we put all the community works on our advent calendar. We need (michael esp) the reminders and the exposure. 

Getting in the spirit!

We now have plenty of space for a tree!

No more four foot walmart special. Here is ava hanging up the ornaments. See all her beautiful snowflakes in the background? She and Grammie were busy getting us ready for Christmas too!

It took some convincing but he finally put his new car down and took a picture with just his handsome self and the tree.  Man, he loves his new car from Grammie. I think he has already told a thousand people about it and the other kind of lamborgini (sp?) that is still out there. Guess we will have to see if it is under the tree!?

Advent

While Meghan was visiting we made the coolest craft! It is a scratch off Advent calendar!! With fun and creative daily activities like: make a paper snowflake, or snuggle up with a cup of cocoa and a christmas book...

We started them together and finished them off with decorative touches a few days later. I already know it's going to be a HUGE hit at our house. I think it will help take the emphasis off gifts and remind the kids that the season is really about caring for others, being with family and helping the community. What a great way to ring in the season! Take a peek at how cute Meghan's came out here

Oh my!

Trying to get a good picture with these 3 on the go - is impossible! Michael with his hockey teeth, Ava with her hair (weeds) in her face and Henry with his perma-binkie. Forget about it!

oh well, one of these days they will hold still. and then they probably wont be nearly as cute, or fun!

Trouble maker

OK I know he looks cute. But Griffin Jr is a busy boy. He LOVES to climb, to run, to test boundries. Over and over again. He is one physical little boy just like his older cousin.

 Both blond, both adorable. So far we have been very, very lucky and havent had too much spilled blood. A split lip, a cut hand... But I know it is coming. So enjoy a few more shots of his picture perfect face before we get the next bump or bruise from goodness knows what (i.e. standing on the arm of a chair, or diving off the back of the couch). Cause this little devil is full of energy!