Winter fun!

There was snow in Minnesota this year at Christmas! It almost wasn't enough to play in, but we managed! Gemma made snow angels with her brother and sister before going back inside - too cold for baby!

Amelia and William enjoyed sledding, shoveling and a little snowboarding with the help of uncle Mike.

Baby's first Christmas!

Gemma and her cousin celebrated their first Christmas together this year! One of my favorite Christmas memories is playing for hours on end with my cousins at my grandparent's house (on both sides). Giving my own children the opportunity to play with their cousins during the holidays is one of the most exciting and important parts. One that I'm willing to drive 7+ hours across multiple states to make happen.

We loved The cousin play time this year- only wish we had more time with them!

Grandpa reads to 2 kids? Or 3?

Here is my dad, attempting to read a book to the kids. It's a little challenging with the baby grabbing the pages and trying to eat them and a very wiggly big kid bumping and wriggling behind you. And the third one? Sitting on his lap, encouraging/insisting grandpa keep reading. Even with a foot in his neck and a baby trying to rip the pages out of the book.

3 kids

For the last 6 months I feel like we have been juggling 2 kids and 1 baby. They eat separately, bathe separately, play separately and operate on different schedules. and then this happened: see picture.

When we got to my parents house, the big kids were playing on the fireplace. Gemma crawled over and pulled herself to their level like it was nothing. Suddenly, my perspective shifted. Soon we will have 3 kids - not this 2 kids, 1 baby business. She will want to be with them more than she will want to be with me soon. She will be doing the same things they are doing and fighting right along with them. It always blows my mind, but this baby is really her own little person - one who will stand on her own two feet sooner rather than later.

Need to work on our accuracy

Gemma is getting pretty proficient at self feeding....or so I thought! Here is the seat of her high chair after lunch. I guess all those Cheerios didn't make it into her mouth!*

*taken before our Christmas trip

No?

Overheard from the kitchen

Grandma (to William): do you like this treat? Would you like to try one?

William: ummm... I think I would like 2 of those treats.

Grandma:no. I said you could have one.

William: what did you say? (In disbelief and shock in his tone)

Sent from my iPhone

What time?

This morning

Mom: William, what time did you get up?

William: 7:09

(Without prompting)

Amelia: I got up at 9:98

Sent from my iPhone