Ho Ho Ho at Home

We went to church on Christmas Eve and my kiddos obliged my once a year request for matching outfits, smiles and photos.  Usually our attire is no where near matching.  

Christmas morning we had our usual pancakes, story of Jesus' birth, gifts and family play day.

 We give the kids one thing they want, one thing to learn from (read or make) and one thing to wear.  The thing to learn from this year was a plan and all of the parts to make a go-cart with Dad.  They worked on it for a while on Christmas Day.  I am not so good with the power tools so Eliana and I will be the assistants.  I can't wait to see it go!!

Ho, Ho, Ho. Part 1.

It's January.  Nearly the end of a very cold January, and I am just doing Christmas photos.  It really shouldn't be too tricky for me to get caught up once I am done with Christmas, however.  It is cold and we are inside a large bit so there are few photo ops.  Other than the massive dryers that are currently drying the water out of our basement.  Why, you ask? A pipe burst after it froze.  Apparently, pipes aren't insulated in the same manner at this latitude that they are up north.  I knew Iowa people had some smarts.  This would be one of those things: insulating pipes in anticipation of very cold weather.  Smart.

On to Christmas.  Our trip to Iowa was quick this year as the timing of everything was a little more challenging.  We spent time with both families.  Here is my family time:

 My dear dad and Eliana.  

 Fun with presents that Grammie managed to purchase almost all online.  A middle aged dog can learn new tricks, right Mom?

Daddy and daughter

 The grandkids with Grammie and Grampie

These photos of the four boys make me laugh.  We start out with decent smiles and quickly dissolve into silliness.

The Grand Finale

The grand finale... the final word.  The judge decreed that the adoption of our little sweet pea is official in the eyes of the law.  Her last name is now the same as ours.  We delightfully testified that we will love and care for and parent this sweet girl.

What could seem like a formality to some as we have been momma and dad to her from birth, is a sweet day.  A day given to our family by God's amazing grace.  A day that reflects our adoption as God's children.

 Our daughter.  Our sister.  A granddaughter, niece and cousin.  Forever family.  Amen.

We had a celebration at our house that evening with dinner and cupcakes.  I told my friend, Katherine, that she should be proud of me: Eliana's cupcakes were a combination of a groupon and a pinterest idea.  Two things I rarely take the time to consider.  

Miss E was tired by this point and little less impressed by the cupcakes.  :+)

Party Time

Big C's birthday was on a Sunday, so the party was that afternoon.  There were preparations...

 Miss E's preparations were simply to look cute.

 Big C and Jman helped Daddy decorate the cake.

 The cake was a town with a road and train tracks and a river.  It was a very busy cake, just like Caleb wanted it to be.

Our family.  Miss E slept in the carrier through most of the party.

It was great fun to celebrate this little man.  Who is soon not going to fit into the "little" category.  But for now: he's still little to me.  Happy Birthday Big C!

Little BIG Five Year Old

As I was getting ready to upload these photos, I saw the folder that had Caleb as a baby on the front.  That precious little baby that arrived on a cold December morning is still a sweetie.  He's just a little bit bigger and more talkative.  He still loves to eat.

We started Caleb's day of celebration with donuts, singing and family gifts.  I still remember the year he turned two.  His complete delight and surprise when we starting singing to him is something I'll not soon forget.  He still delights to have us sing to him, but he isn't surprised anymore.  In true fashion, when I asked him which donut he would like: "a little bit of all of them" was his answer.  He almost always chooses a little bit of everything when given options of food.

Caleb, at five, has lots and lots and lots of ideas.  He and Jonathan are currently going to live on adjoining farms.  Caleb is going to be a pear farmer because then when he feels like eating pears, he can just go out there and pick some.  There are going to be dogs, a horse, snakes (because they are on the "no" list of family pets), and bird (also on the family "no" list).  

He loves to read with me, play games, build legos, DIG, ride his bike.  His lego creations are always unique and involve long explanations.  Sometimes very long.  That boy could dig in the dirt or make "soup" in the mud for hours.  He just loves mud and water.

Caleb adjusted amazingly well to giving up his status as the youngest in the family.  The only request that came about after Eliana's arrival was for rocking time with Momma.  Seriously?  How lucky can I be?  We would rock and read books together - we both loved this!

As picky as Jman is about his clothing - Caleb is not.  At all.  He just opens the drawer and puts on whatever he sees in there.  One day he had on pants that were much too small.  They couldn't even button and were almost to his knees.  When questioned about why he was wearing such uncomfortable, small pants his response was, "they were in my drawer".

Caleb's singing voice is sweet and precious.  And in tune.  I love to listen to his sweet tunes around the house.

Big five year old - we couldn't love you more!!  Happy fifth birthday.  You are a gem, and we love spending time with you!!

The boys buy each other gifts and they have gotten so much better at thinking of the other and picking out something that the other will like.  This year Caleb did the buying for both he and Eliana.