christmas day

Unfortunately, Aron got sick on Christmas morning and was pretty much out of commission most of the day. He was able to stay engaged for gift opening, but otherwise, he rested and thankfully, today he is better. This Christmas was a first in our family--doing our morning entirely alone with just our family and I really loved it. We did Aron's side of the family's Christmas last week and my sister and her family were in town for a week leading up to Christmas and we enjoyed time with them. Alas, my folks were not able to make it out this year and we missed them terribly (although we enjoyed a Skype chat with everyone).

We made cinnamon rolls, read and talked about the Christmas story over breakfast, opened the last square on our Advent calendar, then opened gifts. It was a very low-key day, but truly wonderful to be together and enjoy our day as a family. And it was one of those days where I sensed God's rich presence more deeply. And I felt like I was really able to take it in and not let it pass me by.

Earlier in the week, M playing with cousin Jacob under our tree



Best gift we could get C--a "Home Depot" tool set

Yes, she was pretty much ecstatic about getting Silly Putty!
Kate's 1st Christmas--what a little CUTIE!

Merry Christmas, from our family to yours!

Christmas baking

We made our gingerbread house earlier this month and Mags and daddy had a blast building it. Then, thanks to Trader Joe's, we made their sugar cookies last week and both C and M had a blast cutting out shapes and decorating them.

This time of year is my favorite. And I just LOVE creating memories with my family.

Kate: Month-by-Month

Kate turned 4 months old on the 3rd and she continues to delight our family. Mellow, happy, good sleeper, and a joy-filled, face-lighter-up when her brother or sister are around. I'm so very grateful this holiday season for the gift of this sweet girl. She has given me new perspective on motherhood and helped me slow down and enjoy my time with all 3 of my children. I feel the least busy, the least stressed, and the most relaxed I've felt in motherhood so far.

Stats at 4 months:

Height: 25 inches--75th percentile

Weight: 16 pounds, 2 ounces--95th percentile

Head circ.: 16 3/4 inches--90th percentile

22 months

Really, how is my sweet, energetic, talking-up-a-storm, boy almost 2 years old?!

I LOVE this little man. Our sweet C. Our Munch.

He does everything with great passion, it's already so very obvious. He is incredibly gentle and loving with both of his sisters. To a fault. He plays fairly well alone, but for sure loves, loves, loves to be outdoors, running off excess energy.

What a gift! What a joy he is in our life! Just wanted to take a moment to share.

Blogging insecurity and holiday crafting

I don't know about you, but as a mom, I often go through "blogger's insecurity" when I browse blogs of moms who seem to be crafting all.the.time with their kiddos.

There, I said it. It's been weighing on me and it feels good to write it down.

I really want to do it more with mine, but I don't for a number of reasons. Mostly, I get overwhelmed with all the options out there and want to make sure I make the *best* choice for a future craft. Therefore, I often end up doing nothing because there are too.many.choices. and I feel overwhelmed. I also feel like I don't do grand and glorious crafts with my kids (like so many moms I see) so why bother?

But, I'm learning, albeit very slowly. I am trying to craft weekly with my kiddos (mostly Mags) and I'm learning to just *make a decision* and move forward with said craft. Even if it's a store-bought put-it-together one, or a simple nature walk and to collect leaves and do rubbings, or taking the camera outside and telling her to snap pictures. She knows no different and is thrilled to be creating. That's the key.

This week it's been inexpensive, wooden ornaments ($1 each at JoAnn's Fabrics) to paint and foam crafts to assemble (available at Michael's or Target; I bought last year after Christmas for pennies). Maggie has been having a ball and Curren even got in on the painting.

Crafty McCrafterton: burlap window decor

The title is inspired by my friend Casey, who is quite crafty and inspires me! I made this burlap garland after seeing it on a Simple Mom blog post. I really like how it turned out.

I bought 1/2 a yard of each color (red, green, brown) at Joann's for $1.50 each. Using Google Images, I found this pattern for a stocking and this pattern for a tree (minus the presents and star); of course, you could choose anything you wanted. I reduced them by 50% when I printed them, then traced them on the burlap, then cut them out. I free-handed the candy canes. Burlap is very forgiving.

I strung jute yarn across the windows and used pushpins to secure each side. I also added this fun, sparkling, white, wintery glue to both the candy canes and the ornament shapes. Finally, I secured each piece with a clothespin.

Quick & simple, festive & inexpensive. Love!

happy thanksgiving

Hard to believe another year has passed! It's been a incredible year for our family, so much to be thankful for. I truly love this holiday as we stop to purposely think on our many, many blessings.

We enjoyed a lovely day at Aron's aunt's house in San Diego. Above is a sunset view from her sprawling backyard.

first sledding

While in Bishop, we took the kids about 20 minutes into the mountains surrounding the valley and enjoyed our first ever sledding. It was snowing lightly, too, which made for some awesomely fun memories! Maggie could not get enough of the snow, Jacob was over it in about 15 minutes, and Curren last about half an hour.

Bishop, CA

My bestie and amazing sister, Shannon, and her sweet family live in Bishop (about 5 hours northeast of us) and we spent the 5 days leading up to Thanksgiving with them. It was a blast, though the house was crazy, full of 5 children 3 and under. But, we survived and the cousins had so much fun together! I love that my 3 have 2 cousins that are not only close in proximity, but in age. Highlights of our trip include leisurely mornings with lots of coffee, lounging in jammies, sledding, long talks with Steve and Shannon, alone time with my sister, and lots of cousin play time.

iPad love
Coloring together
Sweet Stella (9 1/2 months months) and Kate (3 1/2 months)
Our beloved fall picture aka: "it-took-a-thousand-takes-to-get-one-where-they-are-all-somewhat-looking-happy"