bubble baby!

Turns out that Florida gets cold too! We usually luck out with warm weather when we are here, at least during the day. NOT the case this year. It is FREEEEEEEEZING!! At least somebody is warm:) She has also taken advantage of the situation--today she managed to remove her shoes, socks, and all of the ribbons threaded in her outfit! {Oh, to be so easily entertained!}

a Christmas miracle...

After spending Christmas Eve in Monroe, we drove back that night...and made it there alive. Some crazy truck cut me off. I fishtailed for a bit, but we were ok. I had flashes of us on the interstate with Christmas morning strewn about and kids crying. Thankfully, that's not how things played out.

Instead, we transferred sleeping children to his or her bed, and they woke up to Christmas morning at home:) Santa was even able to find something to excite the little girl that told him she didn't know what she wanted! And Elijah got the one and only thing he wanted--a red pedal push car. Santa is amazing, if i do say so myself!

Hazel was not left out, but she was uninterested in anything once she scavenged the rubble of the stocking raid and found dum-dums! She was one HAPPY baby!

After testing a few toys and a couple of mishaps...like Elijah's helicopter in Renee's hair, we were off to the airport!

These children have flown a lot, but it's been a while. They were AMAZINGLY good! Renee played with her new tag. Elijah listened to his new radio {what was Santa thinking?!? who knows what that kid is even listening to!} and little baby played peek-a-boo with any passenger that made eye contact!

An hour non-stop flight with 3 little angels was heavenly...especially considering that our other option was a 12 hour car ride. We can barely handle the 4 it takes to get to Monroe. Neither Orum nor I are cut out for road trips. He's not even very useful on a plane, especially when he doesn't take dramamine {like on this day} but these 3 were SOOOO good that I didn't even need his help. Definetly, a great Chrismas afternoon treat:)

And now we are here!!!:) I am already enjoying vacation--sleeping in and trying to read up on the 3,000+ posts in my google reader. It's obviously been a while!


Merry Christmas!!

good times...

Before we move on to Christmas, I suppose I had better finish up with the little baby's birthday! We gave her a wagon. I think the other 2 enjoy it just as much as she does...well, probably more!

Elijah has designated himself as permanent wagon-puller. Renée is a happy passenger. Hazel is a sporatic passenger. If he starts running too quickly, she reaches up to the nearest person and start signing "all done!" After a little break, she's ready for more!

Such silly little children! {silly, but adorable!}

Everyone says that Hazel looks just like Elijah, but from the looks of these pictures I think she looks like Renée :)

These 3 can hardly wait any longer for morning to come! {well, definitely the older 2. Hazel just loves to rip paper!} And I can't wait to see their little faces light up!

dMerry Christmas y'all!

it's her party...

and she'll cry if she wants to! She was obviously NOT a fan of her party hat, even if she did get the special one! After she got it off, if anyone even came close to her with it she would start SCREAMING! She hardly ever cries, but on this night there was apparently a lot to cry about! So much that you would have never guess that she had taken a 5 hour nap, yep that's right a 5 hour nap! Such is the life of a Young baby.

But, I do have to say that whoever said that December birthdays are no fun is SOOO wrong!! I think that this is my favorite party yet, but then I do LOVE Christmas!!! But really, milk & cookies...ADORABLE and totally a hit! {Until someone knocked the table and the milk spilled into my shoe}

Since she loves to rip paper, she was excited about her presents until all the big kids {her brother and sister specifically} started trying to take over her job!

Also, NOT a fan of having her hands restrained. She just wanted to touch the fire!

And she definetly wasn't a fan of the sprinkles.

She gave the cupcake a fair shot, but decided that she preferred a chocolate Santa. I suppose her love of chocolate developed in the womb.

And, of course, cute favors and crazy kids. At least someone like the party hats!

Happy Birthday to a sweet baby girl! I promise that next year there will be no party hats, no helpers opening your presents, and no sprinkles! OK, I'm not sure that I can keep the party hat promise, but maybe. We love you and feel so lucky to have such a sweet girl in our little family!

could it be!?

i think so...all 3 children are looking at the camera! too bad the little one is stuffing her face with fruit puffs:)

don't worry, it was only for a second. at least she still has her bow on!

cool tricks, cool tricks!

Anybody watch "yo, gabba gabba?" When Elijah watches it, this one is entranced. She must be trying to learn some cool tricks...first up, sitting AND smiling for a picture! Although, she must be sitting alone. If a sibling is anywhere near she starts planning an escape immediately!

She is a master bow shedder.

And when her hands are full...she just walks on her knees! {Quite funny} And hey, you never know when you might need tylenol or a glue stick!

She is a master scavenger--usually for food, but next on the list is tape! She has ruined several rolls in the last 2 weeks. She loves to pull it all out and then stick and unstick it to her fingers.

And she can blow a whistle! Lots of tricks for a tiny little girl!

{We tricked her for this picture. Renée snuck behind her when she wasn't looking. When Hazel did see her, she started crawling away. I'm not sure why she won't sit for a picture with them. I'm sure it has nothing to do with them fighting over who was going to hold her in pictures when she was oh so tiny!}