Christmas morning

Here are a few pics of our Christmas morning. We opted not to wrap all their presents this year (this was something my parents used to do), but just arrange each child's gifts in one spot with their stocking as the marker to show who's gifts they are. We did have one "family" present wrapped under the tree. This is a great way to reduce the amount of trash in the morning and the kids get to enjoy seeing each others gifts.
It is such a delight to see how excited kids are on Christmas morning. The night before, Jake asked how early they could get up and we told them not before 7. So right at 7, as I walked out our bedroom door into the dark hallway, Luke says "Is it 7 yet?" and I about jumped out of my skin! And he is our late sleeper! Notice that there are no pics of Norah because she was sleeping in!

Christmas Eve

Norah and her Daddy on Christmas Eve . . . she had a really cute red outfit on, but I must have put it on too soon because she pooped and made a mess of it . . . oh, well! Grandma and Grandpa Books ready to open some gifts!

Norah and her Daddy (again!) . . . she just wanted the paper!

The boys getting busted playing with Norah's new toy!

The Snow is here . . . for now

Finally . . .

On Tuesday, Micah asked "Are we going to get our Christmas tree in time for Christmas?"
Papa ended up taking the boys on Thursday to pick one out and we got it up and decorated!
That seems to be a big accomplishment this year for some reason.

Waking Up

Norah sleeps the same way Luke and Micah did when they were her age - with the blanket pulled up over their heads! It doesn't freak me out too much since we used afghan's made by Aunt Jan with nice holes in them. I think she is under there!? She's waking up . . .

Not too sure if it is time to get up . . .

Who's waking me up?

I love it when a baby wakes up happy!

Welcome Baby Samuel!

Snug as a bug! Doesn't he look like Terri? I think Norah might be jealous of all that hair!

Proud big sister Sophia!

Mom and baby are doing great! Congrats! We are so happy to have you join the family!

5 month pics!

Can she really be 5 months old already? She is getting so big!

She is starting to reach for our cups and is watching us eat with interest, she survived her first cold :(, and has found her feet.

So much to do! Enjoy the pictures!

Cutie Cousins!

We went to my Aunt Jackie's so that Norah could meet her 2nd cousin Carson this Saturday. He is about 1 month younger and 3 lbs. bigger! They did catch each other's eye for a moment! What could they be thinking?

Thanksgiving #2

Thanksgiving at Nana and Papa's! We did some eating (ok, lots of eating), four-wheeling, game playing, shooting and hanging out. We missed you Price family!

Photos, top to bottom; Dan and baby girl, Cooper a.k.a. "pa" showing off his cowboy boots, Wendell II, Sophia & Norah and Shannon, Rita and Terri (very pregnant!!) riding four-wheelers, the girls - Sophia and Norah!

Thanksgiving #1

This year we were fortunate enough to have two Thanksgivings! On Thanksgiving Day we went to celebrate with some good friends of ours from small group. Here are our wonderful hosts, Aaron and Emily!

Norah at her first Thanksgiving! Of course, she'll have to wait till next year to try the turkey!

The first Thanksgiving for Norah and Breven!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you land!
Serve the Lord with gladness;
Come before His presence with singing.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 100

Legoland Discovery Center

We've been planning this trip since Jake's birthday in October and we today did it! Dan had the day off and we were off to Karate then on our way to the Legoland Discovery Center.

We finally made it after a slight detour due to an incorrect map (I do not recommend Google Maps). You can't miss this store!
We were greeted with a salute and a toot! I guess that is why his eyes are crossed!

My favorite part: the Lego mini-city, Chicago version. I still had to turn my camera to get all of the Sears Tower in!

On to the Lego jungle! Tigers and . . .

monkeys . . .

and hippos, oh my!

Norah wasn't quite sure what to make of all this! She looks a little bewildered - or is she just pooping?

And if you're in a jungle, you'll need . . . Indiana Jones!

Do you see any resemblance??

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Here is our Lego factory tour. I must say I was a little disappointed with it. Yes, it did show the process, but it wasn't actually making Legos - and the boys knew it.

First, they start with different colors of plastic granules.

The granules are then melted . . .
And put into a mold . . .

and Lego bricks! We each got to take home a Lego Discovery Center brick.

Next up: The Hall of Heroes! Who doesn't love R2?!

I think Luke is trying to look like Vader!

Through-out the center, they had some famous works of art - Lego style! The boys studied Van Gogh's art last year and remembered this one!

Dan and I joined in on the fun too!

We even got to take a Lego building class - what a job!

Assembling the Sears Tower . . .

The last stop (besides the store), Legos building tables. This made Dan feel a little better.

Afterward, we drove into downtown Chicago for have dinner with Uncle Wendell and Shannon. We ate at an Italian place called Club Lago - it only seemed appropriate! I brought the camera in and forgot to use it! But it was wonderful and Luke and Micah tried some calamari for the first time and loved it!