Christmas

 Christmas 2020 looked different for us, just like most people.  We still enjoyed many of the same traditions but it just all felt so different.  First of all, last year we gifted the kids a tip to Disney World and were busy planning and looking forward to that.  We were excited to see what Santa brought this year and knew the kids would be excited but I was a little sad we didn't have a fun trip to look forward to.

Christmas Eve we usually go to my Grandmother's house for lunch but she now lives in the apartment at my parents house so we cancelled Christmas Eve because we would see her Christmas Day.  So we had all day Christmas Eve to be at home and just relax.  

We got ready and went to Mass at 4:30.   After Mass we went to my parents house to visit a bit before we headed home to get ready for Santa.

We somehow ran out of time to bake cookies for Santa so we left him candy canes instead. 

We hugged Mr Elf goodbye.  

It proved to be a little more dramatic than I was anticipating.  She was distraught that Mr. Elf had to leave.  I was not expecting this reaction.  

Last picture as a 7 year old.

The kids were wired and I didn't think they'd ever go to sleep.  I was up washing bottles in the kitchen and I turned around and Barrett was standing in the kitchen.  Santa had already come and left their gifts in the living room. I was a little upset because I knew he'd probably already seen them.  When Patrick came in the kitchen he led Barrett back to his room to go back to sleep.  At one point both big kids were in our bed and Patrick got mad and got up and went to Barrett's bed.  I knew it was going to be a long day.

This is a terrible picture of all the goodies Santa left.  Barrett got a nintendo switch (the only thing he asked for), AveryAnn got a jeep and Adler got a glow worm.  They all were apparently very good this year.

She has a nicer car than me.  I'm not jealous at all.

This is my favorite mug.

Matching jammies on her first christmas.

13th annual Christmas morning pj picture.  

I love this one so much.  This year has been so wild but it has been so joyful.

The big kids wanted her to enjoy all of her gifts.

After we opened all of our gifts at home we headed to my parents house for brunch.  I didn't take a single picture of the Christmas mess there.  I can't believe I didn't get one picture.  The kids had a blast.  We had a big fire in the fireplace.  We gifted everyone tickets to go to the Glow Wild lantern festival at the zoo the week after Christmas.  It was similar to what we saw in Huntsville a couple of years ago and we knew everyone would enjoy it.  After brunch we headed downstairs to my grandmother's house for lunch.  This year is so different with her and my aunt in the basement but it's been really nice to get to spend so much time with them.  After lunch we headed back upstairs for Barrett's birthday. 

I can not believe he is 8 years old.  It just really doesn't seem possible.

For dinner we headed to the Hortons.

The only picture I took there.  We had a wonderful meal and enjoyed our time with them as well this year.  

It wasn't the same.  My sister and her husband didn't get to come to my parents and Patrick's brother and his family didn't get to come to his parents all because of COVID.  But we made the most of it.  I could easily be sad or bitter thinking of all the things COVID has taken from us this year, but I'm trying my best to choose JOY.

Adler Three Months

 

Adler Marie, you are three months old.  One-fourth of your first year is behind us!  It feels like forever and no time at all.  You are growing and changing right before our eyes.  I feel like you're growing so much faster than your brother and sister did.  We've all enjoyed you so much this month.  We celebrated your first Christmas and it was perfect.  You are a perfect go with the flow baby and we're so glad you're ours.

You weigh around 13.5lbs and are around 25" long.  (I'm not entirely sure either of those stats are 100% accurate but we're going with it).  You wear 3 month or 3-6 month clothes.  You're wearing a size 2 diaper and you go through about 5-6 each day.  AveryAnn is the official diaper change helper.  You eat 4-6oz every 3-4 hours during the day.  Right now you usually eat at 7:00am, 10-11:00am, 2-3:00pm, 5-6:00pm and 8-9:00pm.  You got to sleep around 9:30-10 and sleep until 7:00am.  You're sleeping great at night.  You've made it one night in your crib.  We've got to make that transition but it's been tricky.  You've napped in the crib a couple of times and done well.  I think if I could ever be home for a couple days where you could take all of your naps in the crib you could transition more easily but we're never home it seems.

You take 3-4 naps during the day, they range from 45 minutes to 2 hours.  I started working a few hours a week while AveryAnn is in school and you've done so well at the office.  You usually nap most of the time we're there.  We've started going on lots of walks outside when the weather permits.  You're pretty content in the stroller, thank goodness.  We've gone hiking a time or two as well.  Barrett is playing basketball right now and you've enjoyed watching the games.  The buzzer scares you every single time.  We've also gone to Mass several times.  You have been an angel baby there too.  

You have found your voice this month and you "talk" all the time.  Your sister is convinced she can "speak baby" and she interprets for you often.  We love hearing what she thinks you're saying!  

Highlights this month include, your first Christmas, your first trip to the zoo for Glow Wild, your first basketball game, lots of trips to the park and a few hours at the office.  Its been so much fun watching you grow and watching how much we all love you.  We are so thankful for you!

Santa Visits

We weren't sure what our visits with Santa would look like this year.  Our church has had cookies with Santa the last couple of years with the best Santa.  He has an accent and his just the best.  We also usually go to Bass Pro Shops and see Santa there because we've had that tradition since my brothers kids were little.  But this year we didn't know what to expect!  

What we got was the sweetest, most magical visit at our church.  We got to sit with him, without our masks on (he wore the clear sheild).  The kids were amazed.  We were able to sit and talk as long as we wanted and it was just perfect!

I just love these pictures.  

All 5 of us!

The outfits I'd orginally bought to see Santa in didn't arrive in time so they wore there pjs.  I was so upset that the outfits didn't come but the pjs turned out so cute.  The bottom of Adler's were a hit.  

After we saw Santa we went up to Cullman and had dinner at Carlton's.  It's one of our favorites but we only manage to get up there about once a year.  It was our first public outing as a family of 5.  I was nervous how dinner would go but it was just perfect.  The big kids ate all their dinner.  I fed Adler as soon as we sat down and then she sat in her carseat and just watched us.  She got a little fussy but I was able to hold her and she went to sleep.  It was a really sweet time.

After dinner we headed over to see the Christmas Pyramid and the lights in the park.  

Dad mode.

These two have been so much fun this season.

We tried to get a picture with all 5 of us.  This was the best we got!

After this we went to a drive through light display.  It was such a fun night with my little family! 

 

The weekend before Christmas we wanted to do our annual trip to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. This year you had to have an appointment.  Our store didn't have any times available but the Cabela store in Huntsville had some so we booked a time there.  We decided to make a night of it and had another fun family night.

After we saw Santa we made our way to Big Spring Park to see the Tinsel Trail.  There were so many trees, it was so pretty!

Although the kids favorite part was feeding the ducks.

After the park we were all starving.  So I googled a restaurant.  When we got there it looked like a bar from the outside, so we were a little nervous but it ended up being perfect. 

I was so nervous adding a baby to the mix this year.  I was worried we wouldn't be able to just pick up and go like we'd been able to.  Our kids have gotten to such easy, fun ages I knew it would be different.  Yes, it's more work, and not as easy but its still so much fun.  The big kids are a big help.  They love their baby sister and they just just as excited to take her and show her off as we do.  It really is the sweetest.  

December Happenings

 December flew by in a flash!  We made the most of it!  Lots of family fun.  We made lots of memories together.  

December 1st Mr. elf arrived and brought us all pajamas. 

Santa came by on the fire truck to collect his letters. 

Love this picture of my babies in matching jammies to kick off the season.

These little elf shoes were the perfect festive touch for all our holiday attire.

We made it to the Gardendale Christmas Parade.  

The first Friday in December my parents got all the grandkids to build gingerbread houses.  These are the only 4 that cooperated for my picture.  The big kids spent the night.  Adler and I went back Saturday morning to hang out.  

The girls stayed up entirely too late.  But they had a blast together.

Uncle John brought lots of fun toys to play on Saturday.  

We fully embraced hot chocolate and hot chocolate bombs this season.

I can't remember what this dress up day was but she looked adorable.

The sweetest smile.  Those early morning feedings are just the sweetest.  I usually just hold her for far too long after that feeding. 

She dressed herself to go to my parents one Sunday for lunch. 

They are the best of friends.

My helper.  

AveryAnn got this huge princess tent.  It was a pain to assemble but she loves it. 

She got this snow globe from her school party.  She and Barrett convinced themselves it was a "Santa Cam".

More snuggles.

A little tummy time.  She's not a huge fan.

I'm trying to be more active and I was going to go on a walk and she insisted she go with me.  I really, really wanted to go alone, but she was so sweet I couldn't say no!