Christmas Card Photo Shoot

Last November we had a fabulous photographer, Penny Lutz, take pictures of the girls for our Christmas card.

We weren't able to get too many group shots because with three kids there was always one that was uncooperative. Still, I'm happy with the one's Penny got:

New Year's Day

We went back and forth on our New Year's Day plans. We wanted to go tubing at Liberty Mt. and to Longwood Gardens (Drew gave me a season pass and I'm dying to use it). Finally we decided to do both, but when it all played out we actually only had time for the tubing. Everything just takes longer with kids.I swear the time we spent bundling and unbundling the kids before and after was equal to the time we spent on the hill.

Liz was excited, but Alaina couldn't get over the discomfort of multiple thick layers. In the end she was too afraid to sled (we discovered this after paying for her) and spent most of her time in the lodge anyway.

The sledding hill was equipped with a "moving carpet" so there was no need to tire ourselves out by hiking back up after each run. They also had young men at the top to give us a push start. Nice.

The babies weren't old enough to go on the main hill so we took turns. First Drew watched the Alaina and Gabrielle . . .

while I went tubing.

Then, I watched the little girlies in the lodge . . .

And Drew accompanied Lizzie on the hill.

It was loads of fun and I can't wait to go back.

The following video is from Drew's I phone.

New Years Eve

Last weekend was the first time (as far as I can remember) that I have ever "gone away" for New Years Eve. It was also the first time Lizzie has really celebrated the holiday. She kept asking why there was a party and didn't seem to understand no matter how many times we explained it. We went to the party at Liberty Mt. ski resort. Sound familiar? It's where Drew's doing ski patrol.

The whole thing was free. Love it. Free entertainment and free New Years party gear: hats, crowns, beads, noisemakers.

We enjoyed a couple magic shows.

The girls got balloon animals from the "balloon artist."

The balloon guy was making some seriously elaborate (and large) creations. The girl right in front of us got a multi-balloon, multi-color crown and septer. When it was Lizzie's turn she asked for a black cat.

The girls lasted longer than I thought they would. We never expected to make it to the fireworks at midnight, but I was surprised that we didn't need to leave till 10:30. That's about when karaoke started so I was glad to go.

In between magic shows the DJ played dance music. The girls, especially Alaina, danced a lot. I jokingly told Drew, "Now I know she's my daughter" (he said the same thing about Liz when she was excited about skiing her first time).

Homemade Christmas

This year I ended up making at least part of everyone's gift. I made a photo book for my parents, photo blocks and capes for the girls (I had some help on the capes--thanks Mom, Sharon, & Katie), and for Andrew . . . well, sadly I'm not done with his. For Drew's sister Carries family we made nativity costumes.

The Wisemen bearing gifts (filled with candy of course).
Joseph (Drew wasn't home and Lizzie was tired of trying stuff on).

Angel & Shepard

Mary and swaddled baby, take 1.

Mary and swaddled baby, take 2.

Lizzie helped me with the gifts.

For my brother, Mike, I made a denim rag quilt. The back:

The front had about five pockets so we filled those with gifts.

This year's gift exchange letter was "D" so we made sure all of our pocket presents fit (even if we had to give them creative names).

Solids

We started Gabrielle on solids over the holidays.

As expected, she didn't like solid foods and . . . pretty much acted like we were torturing her.

Last week I introduced her to mini oranges. She LOVED them and cried when I had to fish them out of her mouth.

Ellie warmed up to her rice cereal when . . .

. . . I mixed it with applesauce.