Christmas Pics...

They don't always love it, but I always try anyway ;-) Not too bad considering I was attempting this one solo. They're growing up way too quickly. I vividly remember taking Mac's first Christmas picture when he was 3 months old. Now it's my third child's first Christmas!!!

The many faces of Clara...sweet, usually smiling but sometimes downright angry! The girl gets madder than a hornet if you don't do what she wants. (We could be in trouble with this one ;-) 

My Heart

I LOVE this little girl! (And I'm still loving the super cute nativity dress my mom found for her!) 

Christmas 2014!!

The boys enjoyed making cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. We went to our church's Christmas Eve service that evening, looked at lights, ate dinner at home and finished up with "The Grinch." They were so excited to go to bed!

Santa came!!! (Don't you love the gingerbread house that CeCe and PePaw made with my kids?!? We call it the gingerbread mansion.)

This is genuine excitement...and Mac's excitement is actually for Drew. He was so excited for Drew that he got what he asked for-a puzzle. Angry Bird Transformer Telepods topped Mac's list this year. 

Drew is excited for Mac and trying to catch a glimpse of his new Ironman watch. They honestly were as happy for each other as they were for themselves. I know they're mine, but those are some sweet boys :-)

Christmas morning selfie with my girl...chewing on her new rubber teething lamb

She liked her new toys, but the lamb was an immediate hit!

Suited up ready to skate...or at least to attempt and learn!

Slap bracelets and Pez, exactly what should be in everyone's stockings! My boys have a slight obsession with Pez candy at this time. Mac even got chocolate flavored...who knew such a thing existed???

Bananas and cinnamon rolls, her very first sweets :-) And as you can tell, she thoroughly enjoyed it!

Christmas Fun with Mim and Pop

The weekend before Christmas Sam's parents came to visit and celebrate an early Christmas. The kids were thrilled to get gifts early, and we all had a fun time visiting and playing. 

A quick family picture after church...everyone was ready to go eat :-)

Getting a pic with all three looking and smiling is a feat! I take what I can get...

Clara with Mim and Pop. The boys had tired of pics by this point. 

Opening their fun gifts...they especially loved the Legos and Superman costumes that had a steel bar only Superman is strong enough to bend!

Hanging out before the evening Chrsitmas production at church

Sweet girl and her many faces while eating lunch at Peppers. 

Big Time Clean

Back in November I transitioned Clara to the big girl tub. She was thrilled to be sitting up in the tub and loves playing with toys in the water. In fact, she screams when you take her out! It was an instant hit!

She LOVES a bath!

Drew helping to entertain Clara. He was very interested in watching her in her big girl tub. The boys get so excited when she reaches new milestones. They are truly her biggest fans. 

Thanks, Charlie!

It was a great Christmas season with Charlie the Elf. The boys loved finding him each morning and took the job of not letting Clara touch him very seriously! 

10 Months!?!

How in the world did it happen that I blinked and Clara was 10 months old!?! She is always happy, always smiling, loves to eat and knows exactly what she wants (and can throw a big ol fit when she doesn't get it!) She can find the tiniest little things on the floor and try to put them in her mouth. She also understands "no"...doesn't always listen but knows what it means! Haha She crawls, pulls up, claps, and waves. She also just started patting me on my shoulder when she puts her head on my shoulder to sing her a goodnight song while patting her back. So sweet :-) She loves toys with a face, so dolls are a hit. She smiles and tries to talk to them. She can say "da" (daddy), "ma-ma", "ba-ba" (bottle) and tries to babble all sorts of things. We just confirmed her milk allergy and have her drinking soy milk twice a day. She makes my heart smile! (And my tired eyes are beginning to smile since she has FINALLY, more consistently started sleeping through the night...hoping it lasts!)

I haven't really found a food yet that she doesn't love to eat! Mac always laughs and comments about how fast and how much she eats. We call her a food vacuum :-)

Those little fingers will grasp at the tiniest little thing

Watching the boys play outside, hollering at them with a little bouncing and laughing when they look her way. 

She has some teeth wanting to come in soon on the top...that's why she sticks that little tongue out. Although it could also definitely be because she thinks Uncle Hayden is silly! Lol

I couldn't ask for sweeter children! They are the best of friends and always looking out for each other. Makes me tear up as I'm thinking about it...