Merry Christmas!

Here we are and it is already Christmas Eve. Our house is certainly buzzing with excitement right now. I decided to post our Christmas letter (it is a bit jumbled from the margins) in case we happened to miss sending you a card this year, but we hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

It seems so amazing that it is already that wonderful time of year,

Where families gather from all around
and gifts are shared with cheer.

And so it is with grateful hearts, we write to you once more

To wish you happy holidays and hope great tidings are in-store.

2009 was a big year for us,
our family changing yet one more time,

Adding another little boy has the family turning on a dime!

Little William came to us this April, so healthy and so grand,

With golden locks a plenty, bright blue eyes,
and perfect little hands.

The other boys play with him like a toy, which Will thinks is so much fun;

He is rolling, laughing and always getting his way,
so happy to be the youngest one!

Caden is on the downhill side of Mrs. Black's first grade class;

He loves reading, math, running and screaming,
and playing in the grass!

His first year of soccer was trying, but he loved it all the same;

He was a great goalie and team-mate
and found adoration for the game.

Ethan is still in preschool, learning so much everyday;

He is the happiest little boy always talking and wanting to play!

It matter not with who, when or how, for picky he is not,

Enjoying anyone willing to play with him,
while sharing anything he has got!

Angie is running ragged, outnumbered now four to one,

Doing her best to keep the family schedule
hoping someday her scrapbooking to be done!

She has honed her mommy skills
and with the doctor on speed dial,

Keeping ALL the boys healthy and in line,
while clothed and fed all the while!

Sam is ready for the snow and has counted the days
until it blanketed the ground,

Still working on his Master's Degree with thoughts never far
from his sled and it's reverberating sound!

So the time is here at last, where we celebrate
the birth of the greatest of us all,

Gathering together as friends and family in lands big and small!

We are so glad you're a part of our lives
and know to our hearts you are near;

Until we see you next time...
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Holiday Fun

Our lives always become a bit chaotic this time of year with birthdays to celebrate and holiday fun (and stress) to be had. We had a good Thanksgiving this year again. My husband wanted me to post my brother devouring the turkey. He is always fun to have around and so is his family.
This year each family member said what they were thankful for. I loved Mike's son's comment, "Me". We laughed about that for a while. Only a child would say such things, but I like the fact that he loves himself and has confidence in who he is. I, for one, could certainly use more of that in my life. Kids are so honest and I love seeing things through their perspective.

We celebrated Ethan's 5th birthday this month. I can't believe that he is 5 already. I know moms' say things like that all the time, but really it has flown by. I still think of him being younger than that, but that could be from his behavior some days. Here are some fun things about Ethan.
*Ethan loves to talk and talk and talk. He really never quits. He even talks by himself during bedtime until he falls asleep.
*Ethan loves to talk to anyone. He has never been shy and will strike up a conversation with complete strangers.
*He loves movies. We call him our T.V. junkie. This is the one time where he will be somewhat still and quiet, at least for a little while.
*He is a picky eater. I am not a mom to cater to everyone's desire to meal times and basically it is you take it or leave it attitude, but this boy would rather leave it which leads me to my next comment.
*Ethan is stubborn. Unfortunetly, he has inherited this from me.
*He has such an imagination. I love to listen to his stories which are always different and he can play with one toy and be happy with that all day.
*He is smart. All moms say that I know, but really, I think he is pretty smart for his age.
*Ethan is loving and supportive. He is quick to tell people, "Good Job!" and he is one that I can always count on for hugs and kisses unexpectedly. I am hoping to hang on to that for as long as I can.
*He is tough. I recently got him his last set of vaccinations for kindergarten and he surprised me when he didn't cry, but said, "Owww.....that hurts," as he scowled at the nurse.

Happy Birthday, Darling!

I have been trying multiple times to get some family pictures to send with our Christmas cards this year. Well, we tried that and it didn't work so well, so I tried taking separate pictures of the boys and as you can see that didn't go so well either. Trying to coordinate all that is like trying to nail jello to a tree. These are some of the rejects.

So Christmas is fast approaching and we have another birthday to celebrate next week and I am so unprepared. It is a struggle for me to focus on the true meaning of Christmas among so much stuff and drama, but I try. We are blessed to have the funds to give to our loved ones this year and blessed to be so healthy. I am happy to celebrate with William and as always the kids have a way of making Christmas so exciting.