Our Merry Little Christmas

Someone once told me that when you have kids Christmas each year will just get better and better. Although we’ve only had two with our family of six, so far that has held true. Last year was awesome – just being our first one as a family and celebrating the birth of Jesus and all the many blessings God has given us. BUT this year, the kids could actually be a part of all the festivities and were a little more aware of what was going on I think. We even got to bring them to our Christmas Eve Candlelight service at church which we didn’t get to do last year because they were a little under the weather.

We are so blessed to be able to spend lots of time with both sides of our families and not feel torn to be in two places at once like so many families are. We usually have my family’s activities Christmas day and the week leading up to it and Nick’s family Christmas night and the week prior when his brother and sister (and their families) come in town. The kids have been great. A little tired possibly but they have been really rolling with the punches…staying up later, sleeping a little later, we even have transitioned to one nap this past week.

Here are some highlights:

Jude, Griffin, Rylee, Nate & Evan waiting patiently to open gifts

G.G. and her big boys

The kids’ favorite gift from G.G. and Big Pop

with Maw-Maw on Christmas Eve (someone wasn’t too happy!)

The boys sportin’ their LSU caps from Big Pop
(M, R, J)

Climbing stairs Christmas morning to see what Santa left them

Someone has been good it seems?!?

Sloan led the pack and went straight for the pink girlie loot….unfortunately, the boys did too!

Sloan’s ride

Jagger - “to infinity and beyond!”

Madden’s wheels

Officer Rocco

Family Picture – Christmas Day

Christmas evening with Granmama & Grandaddy

Grandaddy & Grandmama with their six grandchildren - (a same certain someone not too happy again!)
L to R: Jagger, Sydney, Rocco, Seth, Sloan & Madden

Since I took SO many pictures – here is short montage of our Christmas.

Oh man...if it really does get better and better, someone please pinch me!
Love,
Kami

Lights, “Ho-Ho” and More Pictures

Last Saturday night, we had a family date night.  We took the kids to a small Christmas light show in Port Allen, LA.  It was nice.  The kids didn’t “ooohhh” and “aaahhhh”  over the lights (like I wanted them too!), but I think they enjoyed them.

   

After we looked at all the lights, we went inside for a visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus.  The kids were totally cool with Santa while they were in their stroller, but when we started taking them out of the stroller to get a closer look is when the hysterics ensued…at least for Sloan and Madden.  If you recall, Sloan and Madden were the two that I was holding for a picture with the mall Santa.  This night they got their turn in Santa’s lap… 

LOL – This is more like it!

Too many funny things about this picture (including the bird on Mrs. Claus’s head)

Jagger – not a care in the world!

Santa: “Seriously lady, come get your crazy kids.”

Me: “Okay…just one more!” (such a mean momma – LOL)

Memories were created - that’s for certain!

I also wanted to share some of our outtakes from our recent photo shoot and the winning photo that made our Christmas card this year.  Remember – the smiling was an issue that day (and everyday when it comes to group photos!). Thanks to Chad Keith for all the great photos!

 

 

  This one actually made the back of our card

A very close second

And the winner is…

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Love,
Kami

A little Christmas fun

Our days are filled with all kinds of moments.  We have chaotic ones, busy ones, loud ones,  silly ones, fun ones, tired ones, fussy ones, and messy ones just to name a few.  So I’ve learned that planned activities or crafts (especially when they are contained at the table :)) can be a great way to keep very busy toddlers very busy.  This idea came from my Quad momma sistas – thanks ladies!

Step 1: Give kids a few sheets of tissue paper and let them go at it!  This was probably the most fun part of the craft.  They LOVED it!!!

This craft making business is serious stuff.

 

The tissue paper was also fun to throw!

 

Step 2: Let the kids put their torn pieces of tissue paper on clear contact paper. 

Steps 3, 4, & 5 (for momma): Cover artwork with contact paper, cut into a fun Christmas shape, cut a hole in top and add a string. Voila!  A cute Christmas ornament!

“Look Ma – a snowman!”

Jagger and his star ornament

Madden – so proud of his candy cane!

Step 6: Let the kids hang their ornaments on the tree.

The four masterpieces:

Hope you have a great weekend!  We have a special family night planned…can’t wait to share!

Love,
Kami