one more Christmas...

Matt, Sarah + Annika got back Christmas evening so we decided to wait until the next day to open presents and have dinner together.  It was a great idea as I'm sure we would have had some tired and crabby kids!  It was a fun day and crazy to think that the number of kids doubled since last Christmas :)

Sophie in her new sweater - Calla trying to figure out how to open her gift - Mike modeling his new lifejacket - Calla just up from her nap to finish opening presents - Jackson taking a break from all the craziness - Sophie and Uncle Matt being silly with Oma's new glasses - Jackson hanging out in the trash basket - and a very tired Calla snuggling with Oma

Christmas Day

I love Christmas, and every year it's more fun as the kids get older.  Jackson was really into Christmas this year and Sophie loved "teaching" him about what to do :)  We spent Christmas morning at home before heading to Oma and Opa's for the rest of the day.  We made a "happy birthday Jesus" cake and had dinner at Maxwells. Such a great day!

opening presents

she was SO proud of her cake

Jackson wanted a picture too

then they were photo bombed by Annika and Calla

helping Opa cut the cake!

Christmas Eve

We celebrated Christmas Eve by going to church and then having dinner at our house.  Even though church was a little tough with the kids, especially with a 10 month old, it was a great service.  Then we came home and had some delicious roast and potatoes.  The kids worked hard on what to leave Santa and his reindeer...we had to limit the amount of treats they could leave :)

yeah for a good family shot finally!

Sophie picked out the girls' dresses

we had to promise Jackson a picture with just the boys to get our family picture

so then Sophie wanted just a girl picture

all the treats for Santa and his reindeer

Sophie's letter to Santa...she worked so hard on it!

Snow! (finally...)

Well, it barely covered the sidewalks but the kids were SO excited to finally see snow that they went out and "played" in it.  It was too funny!

one more gingerbread house...

I had picked up a gingerbread house awhile ago and had forgotten about it which made it a perfect surprise activity on an inside day!  They each had 2 walls of the house to do and it was fun to watch how differently they did their own sides.

Sophie's church Christmas program

Last year, Sophie wouldn't go up front for the program at church.  This year there was some drama about the color of the robe but she made it out :)  We were so proud of her! The girls (Sophie, Calla and Annika) got matching dresses in the mail yesterday and of course, had to wear them to church. Sophie was THRILLED!

Jackson's birthday + celebrating Christmas

On Jackson's birthday we went to dinner at Maxwells with Nana, Aunt Becca and Uncle Brian. I love that our kids love going there :)  After dinner we let Jackson open his presents from them and then celebrated Christmas with everyone.  What a fun night! We still can't believe Jackson's 3 already!

at Maxwells

getting ready for presents

"BIG" Thomas

trying to figure out what to do with her present

ready for a trip!

not sure if she likes her new hat

and of course, birthday dessert!

Jackson + Oma - birthday dinner

With Jackson's birthday being 2 days away from Oma's, we had a birthday dinner with everyone.  After dinner, cupcakes and presents for both, the kids decided that they needed to decorate Oma and Opa's Christmas tree.  Good thing we brought their Christmas pi's!

Sophie's preschool program

 It's hard to believe this is Sophie's third preschool Christmas program :)  What a change over the years...she is so much more confident on stage and sings her heart out.  Oma + Opa brought Annika along and came to watch as well.

decorating the tree

Sophie and Jackson loved decorating the tree this year.  Jackson's attention span wasn't as long as Sophie's but he got most of his ornaments on.  Calla thought it was fun to pull all the hard work off the tree :)  We don't put up any traditional ornaments up anymore.  Our tree is full of ornaments from when we were kids and all the ornaments are kids are given and make.  I wouldn't have it any other way!

gingerbread houses with MK

MK invited us to her church for a fun night of dinner and making gingerbread houses.  The kids had a blast!

Christmas tree

We used to go cut down a tree but with three little ones, it's a bit too much.  Hopefully we'll get back to that when they get a little older but for now Linders will have to do.  We've gotten some great trees so we're fine with it.  Mike took Sophie and Jackson this year to pick out our tree.  They did a great job!

they wanted a colored tree

ready to go

this was the picture Mike sent me after they got home while they were waiting for Calla and I to get home to show us the tree