Christmas 2010

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. My parents came up the weekend before Christmas and we enjoyed a weekend with them. They were incredibly generous and along with everything for the kids, they bought us a new camera. I love it, but I'm still in the early learning stages. Christmas weekend offered a lot of opportunities to practice with the camera because we spent a lot of time out in the snow. I've embedded a slideshow of some of the pictures I took. If you click on the slide show, you should be able to view larger versions of the pictures.

A glimpse at our white Christmas

It started snowing Christmas afternoon and snowed much of the following day. The kids were so happy, and I was so happy that we had brought their snow gear.

Christmas evening:


The next day:



Two days later, and we saw the sun;

Christmas Cookie Guilt

Everyone knows the month of December is way too busy. In the chaos of the last two weeks, I forgot to bake Christmas cookies with the kids. What kind of mother am I? So, in a panicked state, I rummaged through the pantry and discovered that we had the goods to make the cookies. What would we do about the icing? I found an easy recipe with confectioner's sugar that actually tasted decent. I think it was the ample vanilla extract I put in it, along with the maple syrup that was used as a substitute for corn syrup.

So, in the craziness of afternoon cookie baking, I realized that the kids could not have cared less about baking cookies. I actually had one of those--do you realize that I'm doing this for you?--kind of questions come out of my mouth. Newsflash, Carey--you're apparently doing it for yourself. Would someone please remind me about this at Easter?

Carefully cutting the cookies:


They at least look like they're having fun:







Into the oven:


Some of the final products:

15 Months Old

Isabel is 15 months old. She is such a cutie and a sweetie and a pistol. I thought Madelyn was opinionated, but she's got nothing on this little girl. She is very determined and asks for help when she can't do something that she wants to do. I can't really describe her asking for help except that the more frustrated she gets, the more she sounds like a barking seal. It's pretty funny. She's adding more words to her vocabulary--dance is my favorite because she'll hear music, say "dan, dan" and start stomping her right foot. She can launch a ball and usually throws with her left hand. She also has an interesting way of announcing she's finished with a meal--she makes a wide sweeping motion with her left hand (without any warning whatsoever) and cleans her tray in about 2 seconds. Of course, everything lands in the floor. The first couple of times she did it I thought it was funny. Now, I just find it frustrating. Her first molar just broke through the gums, and other than sticking her tongue out a lot, there was no indication that she was cutting a tooth. This is great for us because she has always shown discomfort with teething.

She has wreaked havoc on our Christmas presents. Don't ask me why I wrapped them early and put them under the tree. She's opened her presents about 3 times. Thankfully, she hasn't ruined any of the other kids' surprises. She keeps me on my toes--it's a good thing she gives good hugs. Happy 15 months, sweet girl!

Nativity Play

Madelyn's class performed their nativity play for the parents this morning. John David and I were both able to go and it was pretty cute. Her class had been practicing for a couple of weeks and before roles were assigned, she told me she wanted to be a girl shepherd or the star. Her reason: the girl shepherd got to wear a pink costume and the star was shiny and gold. So, she got to be a shepherd. She acted quite shy and little unlike herself, but I'm pretty sure it was because we were there. Earlier in the week, the class performed the play for an assisted living facility just across the parking lot from the school. After the play, they sang some Christmas carols.

The pink shepherd outfit:






Ringing her bell during the singing:


Most of the cast:

Pierce and Madelyn on the 7th Commandment

Me: Pierce, what is the 7th commandment?
Pierce: I don't know.
Madelyn: Do not commit adultery.
Me: What is adultery?
Madelyn: I don't know.
Me (keeping it PG): It means having more than one husband or wife.
Madelyn: Did it used to be okay? They did it in Bible times; remember Jacob?
Me: Well, we all do things that aren't okay. Just because we do them doesn't make it okay to God.
Pierce: Yeah, adultery is greedy.

Indeed, Son, indeed.

Chuck E. Cheese

On the Friday after Thanksgiving, we took the kids to Chuck E Cheese in Johnson City, TN. It was a much more pleasant experience than the one here that we've been, too. I guess the key is to go when it isn't crowded. We had been promising Madelyn we would go and this worked out perfectly. The funniest part was when Chuck E. Cheese did live dancing with the kids. Pierce wanted absolutely nothing to do with that. Madelyn was a little shy, but she participated a little bit. Madelyn was totally focused on getting tickets and she wisely chose the "games" that gave you the most tickets with as little effort as possible. Pierce and Isabel were just along for the ride.

Here's Pierce riding in a car with a statue of the star:




Isabel enjoyed the car ride, too:


Madelyn and Pierce riding a roller coaster:


Just a rare picture of me and my baby:


Madelyn getting ready for the horse race:


John David helping Pierce with a Mario Bros. game:


The kids had a really good time, and it wasn't too hectic. I also think my perspective was a bit skewed because Mom and Dad were with us. They were a big help in wrangling the kids.

More Thanksgiving

On Wednesday of Thanksgiving week, my dad's side of the family came over to celebrate Thanksgiving. Thankfully, Pierce was better and we all had a good time visiting. Dad pulled out the karaoke machine, and the kids enjoyed singing and dancing:



On Thursday, we went to my cousin Dawn's house to visit with my mom's side of the family.

This is our cousin, Isaiah. My cousins, Allison and Shane, adopted him from Ethiopia last summer. He's a cutie!


Pierce and Connor are contemplating careers as cashiers.


Isabel was loved on by everyone.

Madelyn with Allison:


And baby Reed is our newest edition:


It was so nice to see everyone! We miss you all!

A Gem from Madelyn

My mom: Oh, Madelyn. You're getting so big. What am I going to do when you are all grown up?

Madelyn: You'll be dead.

She's so sentimental.