From Heaven

Yesterday, Beckham was being fussy about his pants. He's been doing that a lot lately with his clothes. The littlest amount of dirt or wetness and he rips them off and puts on something new. Yesterday, it was his pants. He couldn't find any new ones so he just went around without any. I asked him where he got his legs from. He stood there for a while not knowing how to answer that question. Annika was there for the whole exchange and answered the question for him with this, " From Heaven."

Reflection

As I was posting all our goings on over the Christmas Holiday, I couldn't help but realize how everything we do is propelled by tradition. For a while there, I didn't think I'd have any traditions for my children. But it all starts with the Christmas quilt Dec. 1st, and continues with home made ornaments, progressive dinners, Edward's Christmas Party, Christmas Eve pajamas, Christmas Day biscuits and gravy and a little newer tradition of the kids spending the night at Grandma Penny's on New Year's Eve. There are many more mixed into the big ones. I am so grateful for traditions and the extra special feeling it gives to the Holiday Season. As hard as it is sometimes to juggle two extended families, it is so great to be able to spend these special times with them. Thanks to everyone who made this Holiday Season an extra special one!!!!

Isabel's New Look

Isabel failed an eye-exam at school. I pushed it aside, not thinking it too important. Well, upon a visit to the pediatrician and the optometrist Isabel is quite near-sighted. Poor thing, takes after her mother. At least she looks adorable in her new glasses. She was so excited to get them, and talked my ear off all day long about the whole thing. I'm just glad she can see better now. Mow, for those of you who have had a hard time telling Isabel and Annika apart, you should have no problems.

Christmas Never Ends

Due to it being our year to spend with the Weiss' we had an extra celebration with Woods'. The Sunday before Christmas we headed to Mike and Donna's and exchanged gifts over there. Again, the kids had a great time opening presents and enjoying the feeling of receiving. Which, let's face it, as a kid, that's what Christmas is about. After opening gifts Donna made scones and we had a hot chocolate bar. It was some good and yummy times.

Sounds of Christmas

This is what Christmas with 5 children sounds like...

Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas Eve with the Weiss'. We had a great time. I made some homemade pork tamales that were out of this world good!!! I was sad that I decided to stop and only made 12. I'll know better for next time!!!! The kids had a great time opening up their traditional Pajamas from Grandma Penny, and their cool Discovery toys. One of my favorite things that I got in my stocking was Pesto, straight from Italy. Thanks Mom, for sharing that with me.

Christmas Traditions

Ever since Brent was a baby, his Grandma Hoffmann has been making him homemade ornaments. Ever since we have been married it's been one of the funniest parts of Christmas. Waiting for Grandma's package to come and to see what our ornaments are going to look like. When we started having kids, she started making ornaments for them as well. Then Donna continued the tradition. This year, I thought it would be nice for the kids to make ornaments to thank Grandma Hoffmann for all those years she made ones for us. It wasn't easy to sit back and let them paint those ornaments. But they did a great job. I recently heard from Grandma Hoffmann and she was very moved that we did this for her.
Thanks Grandma Hoffmann, for making Christmas that much more special and meaningful for our family. You started a wonderful tradition that we will always be grateful for!!!!!