Christmas 2007

Christmas sort of snuck up on us again this year. I know that I sound like my mom every time I say this, but boy does the time fly these days. Erica started walking again the Tuesday before Christmas, so it has been so exciting to watch her enjoy her new freedom. The world is her oyster now, and she's gotta go check everything out! Even though it's proved to be a little more work for us, we are beyond excited to see her walking and getting into everything!

We spent Christmas Eve with the Smith's in Cambridge. Church, lasagna dinner,
lots of presents, and a beautiful time with family. (Here are the kiddos on Christmas Eve--Erica in her velvet dress, and Hayden with his gift haul)

Christmas morning we celebrated together as our little family of 4 (+ Oscar). Believe it or not, Santa had come (despite Hayden's naughty behavior as of late), so we opened our stockings and gifts from one another. Hayden was most excited about the new trains we got him for his Thomas train set, and Erica loved the new kitchen we got her for her bedroom.

Here is Erica with a little cell phone to her ear--she is
BIG into talking on the phone right now!

Here are Jon and Hayden checking out the new expansion kit for H's train set.

After our little family time, we packed up and headed over the celebrate Christmas Day with the Sharpe's in our P.J.'s, as always. We had a wonderfully relaxing time, with lots of good food to eat, a plethora of generous gifts, and much cherished time with our family.

The Sharpe family tree on Christmas morning--beautiful and untouched.....
before the paper flew!!

...and here we all are enjoying our first course of Marilyn's amazing Williamsburg Dinner. Notice that we are all still in our P.J.'s--the greatest tradition EVER!!

H thoroughly enjoying his new Playmobil airplane.

...and Erica having a tea party.

We are currently still busy putting toys away, putting toys together, tripping over toys, and breaking down boxes from all the new toys. We are then going to pack up some old toys, and donate them--because we have been taken over. We are officially a "kid house" and it's making me crazy! I've got to find some semblance of order around here...

Other than that....Life is good. We have so much to be thankful for.

~Merry Christmas and Happy New Year~

Sliding, Snot, & Snow Angels

Today the kids and I enjoyed a little fun together in the snow in our back yard. Jon had the great idea of shoveling the snow into a big pile at the bottom of the slide, and then sliding down into it. It was a blast, to say the least! Despite snow in the face (Erica went down face first a few times), snow in the mittens, snow in the boots, and snot running down Erica's face --both of the kids squealed with delight on each descent.

Here they are rooting around in the snow, and making snow angels....

....and no trip outside would be complete without some "digger" action.

Next on the winter agenda is to teach Hayden how to down hill ski.
I am, of course, a little nervous--but very excited to see if he loves skiing as
much as his mommy and daddy do. Here's hoping!

Buddies

I just cannot get over how much Hayden and Erica are enjoying playing together as of late.
I mean, don't get me wrong--they do still have their moments of disgust with one another,
but overall--they are really starting to enjoy each others company.
What a fun thing to watch as parents.

Above was one of Erica's first baths after her cast came off.
As you can see, no sympathy from her brother!!

"Reading" a book...........

and playing in Erica's room....

...........so darn cute, I just had to share. :)