Bright & Merry - Christmas 2014

Christmastime takes on a whole new life when you are watching it through the eyes of little ones.  The boys were so into everything.  Santa.  Lights.  Carols.  Everything.  Audra, well, she's just into e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g.  We had a wonderful Christmas.  Here are the highlights.  

 

- Botanical Garden of Lights -

 

 

- Busch Gardens Christmas Town -

 

Teacups.

 Train love.

I can't believe Ryan agreed to ride this.  I can't believe I let Ethan.



 

- Christmas Eve -

Saying goodbye to Ernie, our elf.

Cookies for Santa: Quality assurance team.  

Santa stopped by...

 

- Christmas Morning -

Audra meets her baby.

 

 Love at first sight!

 

Let the excitement begin...

 

Owen celebrated with a broken clavicle.  What can I say, we like our orthopedic doctor.

Resting.

"What do you mean Ernie (our elf on the shelf) is gone?"

 

- Bonus Videos -

Ryan asked for a guitar and a skateboard...

 

 

 



Christmas Sing-A-Long

This years Sing-A-Long is extra special because all three boys are performing. 

The twins first and Ryan's last.  Sniff sniff.

 

Organizing 2 year olds is like herding cats...

 

But they are SO cute!



 

I don't think they could look less excited!

 

This is Ryan's 3rd and final Christmas Sing A Long.  It's amazing how much he's come out of his shell over the last couple years.  And his performance shows it!

 After the singing, class Christmas parties...

 

It's so fun to watch them, all dressed up (even if Ethan wet his pants and is wearing backup pants), singing Christmas songs with their classmates.

Audra's Brothers

For months I talked to the boys about getting a baby sister.  Ryan seemed to understand.  The twins, well, they seemed to acknowledge I was speaking.  Sometimes.  I really had no idea what they thought was happening.  They used my big belly as a seat, step stool and even a shield. 

Fast forward to Audra's birthday.  She was born late morning and the boys were able to visit that afternoon.  She was in the nursery when they arrived with my mom and Chris's parents.  Chris met them in the hall where they were able to see her through the glass.  The twins were so excited they kissed the glass!  Then Ryan pushed her bassinet to my room where the boys totally ignored me...the mama.  The 3 of them couldn't get close to her fast enough.  They were fighting over who would kiss her first!

  

How did they know to love her?  I mean really.  How did they know she was ours?  It was like brotherly love at first sight.  Amazing.  I thought maybe it was a fluke.  Nope.  They are still enamored with her.  And the feeling is mutual.  

 

 

 

 

Written when she was 6 months
Owen has a particular fondness for her.  He's the first to kiss her in the morning, first to respond to her cries, first to help me with her.  He is absolutely precious with her.  Patting her when she fusses.  Laying face to face with her to make her smile.   I can't wait to see if they remain best buds.  It would be quite fitting because, currently, Ryan and Ethan are glued at the hip.

 

Written when she was 10 months

The boys still adore her.  She has a special relationship with each one.  Currently, Ryan likes to crawl around with her, which she loves.  She likes to get in Ethan's crib (he naps in a crib away from Owen) when they both wake from rest (known to most as nap).  Watching them play together in the crib is absolutely adorable. 

 

One things for sure, she will be protected! 

 

 

There are so many conversations I hope to remember but this one seems fitting for this post...
Ryan, Audra, and I get in the car to return home from the store. 

Ryan: "where's Audra?"
Me: "She's in her carseat."
Ryan: "Oh, I thought we lost her."
Me: "We wouldn't want that."
Ryan: "Why not?"
Me: "Because then we wouldn't have her."
Ryan: breaks out in tears "I don't want you to lose her mama. I would miss her."

I then had to reassure him I wouldn't lose his sister.  He even wanted to know 'how' I wouldn't lose her! 

 

Pumpkin Patch 2014

It was a beautiful day.  About 75 degrees.

 

The hayride.  A fan favorite.

 

We went with Uncle James, Aunt Kay, Spencer and baby Abe.

Twin love.

Determination.

Brotherly love.

$20 all you can carry novice.

 

Not his first rodeo ;)

My little pumpkins.

 

A minute later.  No worries, Daddy got Audra.

Everyone had fun, though Owen was particularly excited to find pumpkins everywhere he looked.  He ran down the field saying 'more, more'.  We've gone every year since we've lived in RVA, thus making it our longest running family tradition.

I have to note, I was quite disappointed the farm had yet to 'get around' to putting up the 'how tall this fall' sign.  Really?  You opened the farm.  How hard is it to put up the sign?  Now we have a gap in our pictures...it would have been Audras first.