December 2019

December is always a big month -- Christmas, and all things fun leading up to it.  But this year, more so than ever.  On December 30 we welcomed Crew to the world!  And the next day we welcomed Crew to our crew. ;)

It was a great Christmas month filled with our favorite things (The Polar Express, the Nutcracker, favorite Christmas movies and hot chocolate), but not too many things.  We had time to be together at home and prepare for becoming a family of six.  I feel like I had good QT with the girls at school because I knew I'd be more of a homebody this next half of the year.

And I really tried to savor our last Christmas in this house!  Our upcoming move is exciting, but it's bittersweet.  Seeing pics of the kids peeking around the corner at the bottom of the stairs on Christmas morning is just one example of something I'll miss from this home -- but I know we'll soon have our more special memories in our new place.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  Lots to be thankful for this year (and always).

This was our indoor Christmas treasure hunt.  They followed clues all over the house and ended up on the porch where their lambies were waiting with chocolate milk!

Faces you make when you make a silly story with the Story Elf.

Tissue beard. :)

All bundled up to walk to school (at Charley's request)!

Charley's gingerbread house.

Coming down to find Christmas Tree definitely helps the girls get up on school days. ;)

Polar Express!

Polar Express boogie.

Lily was so excited.  She got a wink from Santa. ;)

Kneeling at the Manger.  Two Mary's and a Briggs.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa!  Fun dinner (and a Santa sighting to boot).

These special dolls came from Ms. Susan's.  She was getting rid of things before her move and had all these dolls on her piano with a for sale sign.  The girls fell in love, and since they had allowance money saved, I couldn't really say no.  Pretty sweet seeing them so excited.

Lily and Charley's "friendship picture."

Happy 8th Birthday, Claire!  Special Lily Claire time at Chuck-E-Cheese.

Finally, the house was moved!  Hallelujah!!!  Glad it happened in the morning and the kids got to come watch.  We followed it the whole way to it's new site in West Charlotte.  Pretty cool.

Our first crying Santa pic.  Oh well.

"Poo poo.  Potty."  Hey, at least he'll try.

Children's Theater with my second grader!

Party day at school.

Almost Christmas break.  Jump for joy!

Charley LOVES sweet Ben Ben (Annie's baby brother).  It's so cute how they make each other laugh.

Our last lesson before Ms. Susan's move (I've been going to this house for about 30 years !).

Polar Express Day at school!  The Mom who brought hot chocolate into Charley's class emailed me and said Charley was so cute... she jumped up and said "I've been waiting for this day my whole life and still didn't even know how fun it was going to be!"

#ourlife.

It was a fun surprise seeing Lily's art on the church bulletin!  Made her so happy.

So good seeing Frances and introducing her to Briggs.

Christmas Eve Eve!

Christmas Eve haircuts.

She went short again!

And B did much better (although I think I'm done with boy haircuts at snipits).

Cookies for Santa.

The Christmas Eve gift!  The girls finally got their Nutcrackers  I got in Southport and have been hiding for months.

All is not calm, but it is bright! :)

Santa spotting!

Christmas morning.

The face you make when Santa brings you an American Girl doll!

Snow Queen Elsa.

Harry Potter!

Santa brought this guy his favorite thing in his stocking... sockies!

Merry Christmas!

Cousin time.

Sharing a room these past few weeks has been going really well (yay!).  Lily made Charley this ticket for once we're in the new house and they each have separate rooms again.  She thought C might miss her and want to come spend the night with her.  So this is good for 6 nights in Lily's new room. ;)

Little Mommy.  Helped with all the chores that day.  Go, Lily!

And welcome, Crew!!!  Our sweet boy is here!
(Stay tuned for Crew's welcome post coming next.)

XOXO -- Here we go 2020!