Christmas in Photos

I am too tired to write much. . . Ted is back at work and I am trying to clean the house with six extra "helping" hands.  But I wanted to share our Christmas pictures.  The kids had the best time and I was so blessed by it all.  I really missed seeing an Upchurch on Christmas Eve and Christmas day, but the Holts pulled me through.

Here is our Christmas celebration with Cher Cher and Papa on December 22:

in our PJs ready to head over to Cher Cher and Papas

Honey bee pillow pet!

American girl doll!!!!!  Exactly what she wanted!

Daddy in the Santa suit 

Then on Christmas Eve we headed to Mass for the 4:00 service.  There was no nursery and Ted was reading, but we all survived (Ann Park slept, drooling, through the entire service!).  I had the cutest outfits for them and am hoping that the might even fit again next year!

And then Christmas morning . . . oh the toys!  Of course, it should not be the main event in Christmas, but we are still working on that one with the kids.  They were so happy with everything and there was not even a fight about anything all day!  We'll see how long that one lasts!

Coming downstairs Christmas morning - as an aside, they slept together and woke up at like 5:20.  We told them that they could not come and get us until 6:00, but Ann Park came in our room at 5:45 and told us that Ward's clock was broken becuase the 6 would not come.  We ended up stalling them and heading downstairs about 6:15.  We let Sam sleep and he joined us about 7:00.

Ward riding his new scooter!

Sam checking it out . . . 

Choo choos!!!

Mini light sabors filled with M&M's!

playing trucks with daddy

Sam's fireman hat and hatchett . . . a huge hit!

We played with all the toys and pretty much had a relaxing morning and early afternoon.  I even got a quick nap, which was MUCH needed!  We headed over to Ted's mom's house later that afternoon and had a great time playing with cousins and opening even more presents!  We certainly are very blessed.  Merry Merry!

Sam's hike with daddy

On Sunday I took Ward and Ann Park to their swim meet while Ted and Sam were resting.  We had had a very late night on Saturday night and Ted let me sleep late so I was hoping to repay him and let him get some sleep.  Unfortunately for Ted, Sam decided that he only wanted to sleep about an hour and a hlaf and then he was up yelling "DAAAAA-DDYYYYYY" by 3:00.  So Ted decided to take Sam on a hike!  Why, I do not know and it would have never crossed my mind, but they had a great time and Ted got some awesome pictures.  They hiked behind a school that also has a playground and a fun track which is always a great place to tire him out! Oh and Ted is the king of taking a thousand pictures.  Instead of limiting them here and taking forever to figure out which ones to post, I will just let you see it through Ted's eyes!!!  Enjoy our little bundle in all his glory!!

Advent Program

Last Friday was the kids's last day of school and Ann Park and Ward did an Advent Program featuring the Jesse tree.  The 1st grade went first and sang about Noah.   They were telling everyone that we needed to "get on the boat!"  It was very cute.  Ward was less than enthusiastic (his new m.o. when it comes to school, I am afraid), but he was "Noah" and at least he sang!

getting ready to start . . . 

SFX first grade

Ann Park's class sang a song about Jonah and the whale.  They had precious hand movements and Ann Park had a ball.  I think that I can sing the song by heart . . . she has been singing it around the house for the past month!

all ready to sing - acting a little shy and nervous!!

but as soon as the song started she was ALL SMILES!