Christmas Card Session

 I really like using the light in our room for the Christmas card photos, though I tried something new this year and used our bed with the three kids and Ellie not able to sit up yet.  There were mixed results.  I didn't get as much light as I'd like or it bounced off the wood of the headboard more than I'd like.  Things normal people wouldn't pay attention to :)  I love how Adam can be with Ellie.

 Abbey was in the mood to get her dress photographed, but not to smile.  She absolutely did NOT want her brother or sister sitting on her dress.  It's so hard to get one of all three...I turned on my flash above which I never do, but I had to black and white it because it made the headboard look red, which you can see in the ADORABLE photo of Ellie below.  Isn't she too cute with that little smile?

 Awwwww

 This picture cracks me.  I finally get a half smile out of Abbey and poor Ellie gets tossed about.

 One of the many moods of Abbey.

 Another.

 Love this one of Ellie..  I can play with color saturation a little on the old Mac, but I really want to upgrade software soon.

 Handsome boy.

 Poor Bailey.  She's kind of given up and just lets them all over her.

 Love the face.  ALMOST a great photo.  Adam is in the way :)

 Group shot!  I was kind of late taking them as Adam was sick the first weekend of December, when I usually do it.  But, it got done after school later that week.  Adam's teacher made the flowers in the girls' hair.

 Adam's model face.

 LOVE this.  Wish his mouth wasn't covered at all.

 They both look happy. One that made the card.  I love this.

 Serious Abbey.

 Annoyed Abbey.

 DONE with taking pictures MOM!

 Awww.  Sweet.  Last one.  Adam was bribed.  He was very helpful and in exchange, he got to watch Teenage Mutant Turtles.  He agreed and really worked with me.  Ellie was done after just a few minutes.  It's OK.

 Love this shot.  Had it made on Etsy.

And as soon as we were done, I laid Ellie down and she went to sleep.  Too tired for portraits!

Christmas Night at Uncle Chuckie's

I realize starting at Christmas night is a bit backwards.   But I want to start my review of the holiday by talking about how it went well.   Exhausting and busy, but it was the first Christmas it felt like much more than toddler management.  The A-team was so into it, weeks on advance.   By the time we got to Chuckie and Missie's house for the Butler get together, it was 6:30.  Their house has a lot of stuff and a lot of nooks and crannies.  And dogs parking from the balcony.  And not much light outside.  Abbey has struggled with their house, particularly last Christmas where after 20 minutes of a raging tantrum, mostly in the bathroom, she sat in the car.  It was too much for her.  She has come a long way, but we were not sure what to expect.   She was nervous because she said 'Don't be scared Baby Owl', a book character she relates to.   She did so well.   Not even any screaming and just a little panic when I was out of sight!  They mostly played in the corner of the living room, where they have a sizable antique metal toy collection.  Doesn't Adam look handsome in this shot?

Ellie was a little fussy.   It was the time of night where usually her and I have alone time in the bedroom.  She was refusing her bottle, but did well mostly.  I had to walk around with her a lot, but here she is on Daddy's lap.   That's Uncle Chukie in the background.

Sitting with my Daddy.   Chuckie was happy because after years of working on him, Adam will strike up conversation with him.   They have tried to get to know our kids more than anyone else in the family.  Adam was sneaking cookies all night and using the ice/water machine on the fridge, which I had to cut him off of and ask for help with.  He got his cousins Colin and Holly to, as usual.

Birthday cake time for Daddy.   Abbey got excited and started singing and blowing as soon as it was brought out.

She was squeezing her eyes shut while doing it.. So cute!  I love this photo.

And convinced Daddy to feed me his cake.  We headed home around eight and set about getting te kids to bed.  By ten, we were exhausted on the couch, but happy the last two days had gone so well.  Our sixth Christmas...!

Meeting Santa at the Moose

Last weekend, we loaded up the kids for the kids party at the Fulton Moose Club.   Yes, we're members... One of Todd's guys talked him into it.   Bobby, too, actually and that's where he's having his wedding.   So I pulled out the matching Grinch dress and skirt I had made for the girls on Etsy.   I mean, Abbey is still crazy about the Grinch and matching them for special events I think will be a new hobby.

A few shots at my attempt.  Todd suggested I just start holding down the button and take a bunch at a time.  I don't know why I didn't before.  Out of about 40, I got a few decent ones!

Ellie does that.  She'll be fine and that just LOSE it.  ha :)

If Ellie didn't look in pain, this would be cute.  So we loaded them up and headed over to the party, not sure what to expect.

Ellie fell asleep on the way and I sat with her while Todd took the kids over to the cookie making station. It was one and I guess we were early and ended up going through the bar door.  Which was a bad idea as Santa was in there at the bar (haha)  but I shuffled the kids through before they noticed.  I was worried that we had a whole hour before Santa as I was certain one of my girls would have a meltdown or Adam would get agitated and bored and start picking at someone.

But I was wrong.  Things went really, really well.  Abbey had been there twice before, once for a wedding she LOVED dancing at and another time for a reception for Tommy, so she was not anxious. Love how they are eating the frosting instead of frosting the cookies??

Daddy helping.

Eating their cookies.

As per usual, Abbey just ate the frosting.

Time to get our gift bags and pizza.  They were WAY more interested in the candy than the pizza.

And then they turned the music on.  Abbey's face lit up.  She had been in line for a "tatoo" but asked me right away is she could dance (I was thankful as I didn't picture the tatoo process going well as a stranger touching her, painting her, etc...)

Right onto the dance floor and Adam wanted to join.  The other kids saw them and joined in.  Abbey attracts a crowd to the dance floor!

:)

I mean, she has a whole repertoire.

I love how Adam tries to groove with her.  This little girl also took Abbey by the hand, wanting to dance with her.  Little girls seems to realize and not mind that Abbey can't talk to them much.  They figure out other ways to get their message across.  Completely different than the boys Adam had to deal with.

SANTA TIME!  I didn't know what to expect, but my kids were SO excited.  Adam was one of the first ones called.  He told Santa he wanted a fire station.

Ran right back to Daddy and showed him the Angry Birds game he got.

Waiting our turn...

They called Eleanor and it went over our head for a second.  Then I carried her up, I heard someone say she's cute as button and looks like an Eleanor.  They are right!  I hate my fat neck, but I wasn't going to not put in a picture with Ellie and Santa... I had to get my head out of Santa's way!  When I walked up he was like you can sit on my lap with her.  Eek...I didn't want to hurt Santa's lap!!  Ellie took it all in, as usual.  Santa was great.  He had a REAL beard.

Abbey was so patient for her.  She was near the end and when they said her name, she was UP THERE, no hesitation.

Love this picture.  She was excited but still Abbey cautious...

My peanut :)

And more dancing.  They had SO much fun!  It was a great family event and we went got the tree after I drove the kids around for a half hour while Todd bought the organizers a drink in the bar.  The whole day was a nice family day.  It's nice to do things and enjoy and not always be on toddler watch.  The A-team is growing up.