Family in Town

So what do you do when families in town? Considering I am addicted to photography and photographers I am completely on board with taking family photos!

Mery......Christmas

Okay, so its been forever since I updated. I made a promise that instead of looking at craft blogs and dreaming of having the time to actually complete a craft I would concentrate on updating my own. So before I surf.....I will post. After reviewing it seems like I already posted about the gingerbread houses, so there are two posts. I went to the work to post it again and its gonna stay.

Harrison wanted the Bat Cave with all the men, cars and airplanes.

Prestons wanted lots and lots of Legos, than asked why he didn't get as much "stuff" as Harrison. Well Preston each one of the Lego boxes are over $100 and hours of my assistance. Enjoy! (I am just a little bitter about legos, since I am continually telling Emma to spit them out, putting random pieces in my pocket and pulling them out of the washing machine.)

The Tramp Apparently they were excited about something.

Preston helped Emma open her gifts.

Jeremy was a little into "Christmas Story" this year. I wanted to get a photo of all his stuff but you will have to wait until next year. I am sure there will be more purchases before the festivities start this December. I have a feeling we might take a vacation to visit the actual house and museum. That would be a great surprise weekend.

The Night Before Christmas

Trains, Planes and the Nixon Library

Every year we go to the Nixon Library for the train exhibit. This year there was also a Lego exhibit which the kids just loved! Its a great tradition I hope we do for many years to come.

She Turns One, I Cried ALL day

Happy Birthday Emma!!!

I can't believe you are already ONE. Where did the time go? You are such a fun baby full of energy. You bring so much joy to your family. Your brothers love you so much, you have taught them so much in the last year. Harrison MUST hug and kiss you every night before you go to bed and everyday when we pick up Preston from school he loves on you in the car and asks you "Hows my baby girl today" and you smile, sequel and clap your hands. I love to watch you play with the boys. You can climb up the bunk bed ladder to Harrison top bunk and then you yell for me to rescue you. You call me Mama, blow the sweetest kisses, very ticklish, have the best belly laugh ever, are a dear devil, doesn't really care for TV but enjoys Elmo, tries to eat Lego's any chance you get, if I yell spit it out...you do immediately and then smile. You have changed all our lives for the better and I can't imagine life with out you. I am so grateful for your sweet spirit and love you so much I am often brought to tears.

I dont know how she knows about Dolls, but she does and she loves them!

The Birthday Cake!!!

Splish Splash

I don't think I have ever taken photos of Emma in the bath! I guess that's what happens with the third child, but dang she is cute. She loves the water and at this age sometimes she get a bath twice a day. She plays, watches the boys take a shower and blows bubbles. I love her so much, more than I ever thought possible. We are so grateful that she is ours.
She loves patty cake, a guaranteed smile every time.

Some times she likes to crawl out!

Apparently in deep thought!

Let the Season Begin

I love traditions, unfortunately our list of Christmas Traditions is growing rapidly and it keeps me really busy. One of the boys favorite is to build gingerbread houses. It is definitely a Christmas highlight! Here they are building away, Emma joined in the fun too!

Harrison ate as much frosting as he put on his house.

Proud as can be.

They discuss where things should go.

Emma thought the frosting was great!

And then you throw in a candy cane.....sugar heaven.

The finished product, that will sit on a shelf in the kitchen. Mom will pray the ants don't find it.

Harrison's finished product. Check out the gingerbread man head on under the window. I didn't ask, just giggled and took a photo. I think the candy cane killed him....just a guess!

A Little Frosting, Candy and a Wish Bone

On of the boys favorite traditions is to make the gingerbread houses. Each year as soon as we see them at costco we buy each of them one. It seems like I pick them up in July! They sit until the first Sunday in December, after being asked a hundred times if its time.

Emma did not get an official house of her own but a few crackers, candies and lots of frosting. She seemed to enjoy herself. That face...I can just eat her up.

Look close....I am not sure why Harrison bit the body of the poor guy, glued his to the ground and then stuck a candy cane stick in him. This year I just didn't ask.

We finally got around to "doing" the wish bone after we finished the houses. Harrison has got the bigger piece but they both made a wish. I love their faces in these photos. I wonder what was going through their mind.