Three Peas in a Pod...

...or a BEDROOM!!!

While at Grandma and Grandpa's for Christmas, the kids all got to sleep in the same room. They loved it so much that they begged us to let them sleep together here at home. So the same day we returned home, we rearranged all the furniture and THIS is the result! They are in heaven!!
An added bonus: a school/play room!! I'm in heaven too. We've done school in my bedroom for as long as I can remember. I finally have my bedroom back.
Another bonus: no toys all over the house. I'm teaching the kids to play in the playroom. Sounds so simple, yet they have always brought their toys to the living room or wherever I might be. Now they have a room designated just for play. They are adjusting so well!!

Merry Christmas!

We have had a fun Christmas!! This morning the big kids got up, but E continued to sleep so we had to wait to open stockings until everyone was up.

E is still a bit sleepy.
However, she was excited to see twistable crayons.

Mommy even got to open a stocking.

Then we all contributed and told the Christmas story together.

Next we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus!

Yet another attempt at a family picture.

D got a soccer goal.

L got playmobile stuff.

E got a baby doll.

Papi got a digital frame for the office and mommy got the camara that took all these pictures!

Happy Birthday!!

Papi is now 36 years old!!!

We celebrated in Austin with the traditional cinnamon rolls.
Gifts....

And cheesecake. Mmmmmm!

Night on the Town

We got to go to DeLaRue's Christmas Party! The last time we went was four years ago when I was pregnant with Lauren...wow! how time flies! We had a great time. Dinner. Casino. Door prizes (we got $50...yahoo!!!)

My VERY handsome husband!
Looking good...oh so good!
Me...not quite so relaxed as my man.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for watching the kids!!!

Lowe's Gingerbread House

Lowe's kid's project for December was a Gingerbread House. It was actually very easy to put together and designed in such a way that the kiddos could help. Then they got to apply the stickers to decorate. It was very fun!

D and Papi work together.
E smiles at her house.

L also really liked her house.

Here are my three builders with their back-up support!

The project came complete with goggles!

Not to mention the free hot dog and bag of chips we got from the hot dog stand outside the store! You can't beat a fun filled morning completely free with lunch included!!

Gingerbread Houses

Every year we decorate Gingerbread houses. In the past, we have only done one house. However, I could not envision three children around one house. So, each child decorated his/her own house this year.

The girls are ready...

L placed each candy very carefully.

L did such a great job.

I do realize that E looks very focused on decorating. However, if truth be told, she was actually very focused on licking each candy before she put it on the house.

E is very proud of her first Gingerbread house. (Side note: She is smiling for the picture.)

Ready to go...

D works diligently.

D's finished house

Do you smell what I smell?

My other children never did this!!! Apparently E decided to smell the markers...she had not colored the walls or herself or the paper or anything else. The evidence led me to believe that she was just smelling.

She knows she is not to use these markers and I guess to be technical, she didn't actually "use" them.
While on the subject of E, I just have to share another story. The other day when I was in the kitchen I heard, "Uh Oh Mommy" come from the living room. I walk around the corner and see E holding an ornament. She says, "No touch." I said, "That's right. No touch." So, then E turns to her baby who is laying on the floor beside her and says, "No touch Baby." I'm happy to report that since her reprimand, Baby has not taken any more ornaments off the tree.

L's Christmas Program

L had her school Christmas Program on Thursday. We all got to see her sing with her SuperStar friends.

Waiting to begin...

L knew all the words to the songs! She loves to sing!

Thankfully Papi was able to come to the program to see L sing, but also to help me out! D and E both wanted to sit on my lap so it was great that Papi could take video!

L was very surprise and pleased that her Papi was able to come.

L poses for me...

E finally stopped moving long enough for me to get a picture of her as well.

PJ Storytime at the Library

Night Before Christmas Pajama Storytime at the library is quickly becoming a tradition in our home!

PJs and ready to go...
Enjoying storytime

Crafts and Christmas cookies included...

Decorating an ornament for the tree.

Someone is NOT cooperating!

Now that I've sent out our Christmas Cards, I can tell the real story behind the picture! The following pictures are what you DON'T receive at your house...for obvious reasons. So, whenever I get very sad looking at the picture I do send out, I must bring these fotos to mind and the chosen one doesn't look so bad after all!

I just asked her to stand, nothing too complicated about that, but nope, not going to happen!
Okay, I can adjust. We'll sit! Obviously, that wasnt' what E wanted either!
Who would have thought bad could go to worse?

Okay, I got it. Sitting won't work at all!!

Let's try laying on our tummies? Yes? NO!!