Budding pianist

She really wanted this duet to be a trio!

Christmas Trip

We went to Groves for a few days to celebrate Christmas with Pawpaw and Manah. We had a wonderful time!

Stephen insisted on opening gifts about 5 minutes after we arrived (gotta work on the true meaning of Christmas with that one!)

We also spent some time and had a little gift opening with Karen and boys, but somehow I missed photos of that!
Our little explorer enjoying her new grounds...

 It was either super cold or pouring rain almost the whole time we were there, so this is where the big kids spent a lot of time...hanging out in Manah's room with videos and the exercise bike!

Pawpaw and Manah also graciously watched the younger three so that Austin, myself and the oldest two girls could go see The Hobbit. We really enjoyed it, and our sitters were very noble and appreciated since we discovered that the baby was feverish when we returned from the 3 hour movie! Poor baby....and poor Manah!

Christmas celebrating

The girls sang at evening mass yesterday, Austin went to midnight mass since it was being offered for Lolo, and then we all went first thing this morning to celebrate Jesus's birthday with him. Then we changed back in to PJ's to open gifts afterwards (except Anastasia who went down for a nap)...

Merry Christmas!

This one is to imitate a portrait that the Vidal (Lolo's) family took many years ago where everyone had serious faces (Austin's idea, not mine!)

 We hope you have a blessed celebration!
(And family members please let me know if you want copies of any of these photos and what size).

Last bit of decorating

Today we added the ornaments to the trees...it is always so fun to see the excitement as everyone rediscovers their ornaments.

Birthday Fun

We had quite a day with our sweet birthday boy. We had a small breakfast after he opened his family gifts and then took him out for doughnuts (his favorite). Then we cleaned house for the party and went out to lunch so as not to dirty the clean house. Daddy broke out the blow up jumper in the garage and friends joined us in the evening for his dinner and party. He insisted on wearing his Spiderman costume for the party. So cute! He really had fun.

I love having all the children if footy PJ's!

Quite the little slugger, this guy is

The gift from his sisters...cowboys and Indians

A pirate outfit from Lito and Lita, opened on video chat so they could see (and a fireman outfit too)

 Jumping time...and a little friend joined us for lunch!

 

How do I get in here, Mommy?

 Party time! Here are the two Stephens decorating their gingerbread men (this is one of Stephen's favorite books)

 

Helpful sister

Time for birthday cake! I tried to do Spiderman with as little food coloring as possible! ;)

Blow out those candles

These girls spent about 40 minutes decorating together...amazing!

Mariana's finished creation

More jumping...gotta burn off all that sugar!

And Mr. K makes a gingerbread Johnny Manziel with tips from the girls and then eats him bit by bit! The girls thought this was hilarious!

What a fun day for our big 3 year old boy!

Happy 3rd Birthday, Stephen!

You are such a joy and a blessing to our family, little man! I can't get enough of those big brown eyes and that big wide smile of yours!

At one year

And at 3 years (a sneak peak of our family photo shoot)

Photo shoot

Anastasia was in such a good mood playing with this balloon. I couldn't resist a little photo shoot. :)