Gingerbread House

Nicholas and Jack made a gingerbread house this week. They had fun decorating with candy and especially liked to eat the candy and icing (well, Jack did at least).

The finished product

Good job boys!

Birthday Party, Bulls Game, St. Nick and Little Elves

We had a busy weekend! Jack and John started Saturday off by going to Jack's first soccer practice. He came home excited to show me his new uniform (you can see him wearing the soccer shorts in the Sunday morning pictures) and his hand stamp. John said he did pretty well listening and he is excited to go back next week. Saturday afternoon, John and Jack went to his little friend's birthday party and then the two of them went to the Bulls game Saturday night. Jack loved the popcorn at the game, but he was tired when he came home! He put his shoes out for St. Nick Saturday night. This was the first year he understood and was excited to come down in the morning to his shoe. He got some money, candy and stickers. He was excited that the girls "shared" their candy with him this morning.

Jack is in the blue shirt

At the Bull's game with popcorn

All the shoes--Jack insisted we put out the girl's shoes

Jack (in his soccer shorts) getting his gifts from St. Nick

Elf Apprentices

Notice the socks above, I finally figured out how to keep them on their feet, thanks to Aunt Sarah--we use terry cloth pony tail holders on their ankles.

Anna

Elizabeth

Kate

Stocking Stuffers

We couldn't resist. The pictures turned out so cute.

Anna
Anna
Elizabeth



Elizabeth (getting annoyed with the pictures)

Loving the singing Hallmark animals

Kate

Kate

Sleeping in Their Cribs

We have hit quite a milestone at our house this last week. Over the last few weeks the girls have been intermittently sleeping through the nights and it became more consistent in the last two weeks. After a week straight of sleeping through, Anna and Elizabeth spent their first night in their cribs last Sunday (Nov. 30th). Elizabeth had a hard time falling asleep in her wide open crib, but once asleep, she slept through, no problem. Anna just needed her pacifier put back in her mouth a few times before she slept to the morning.

Once those two were upstairs, Kate spent some time by herself downstairs before I put her in her crib last night (Dec. 3) because she had not been getting up either. She transitioned like Elizabeth did on her first night, we kept having to comfort her. The nice part about being in their cribs is I can now sleep in my own bed again! This is the first time sleeping in my bed since the middle of the summer and I think it is more comfortable than ever! And, Jack waking up at 5:30am isn't as much of an issue anymore since he comes in our bed instead of coming downstairs and waking up the babies when we were all down there. Never underestimate the value of sleep! I have been getting about six hours of uninterrupted sleep which has been great!

Elizabeth loves her fish tank, just like Jack did.

We stopped using the blankets because the girls move in their cribs. When we checked on Elizabeth the first night, her feet were up against the rails. In the morning, she was sideways in the crib. Don't ask me how they can move in their swaddles.

Anna

Kate--the baby of the family in Jack's old crib

The Bumbo Makes Us Laugh

We have been putting the girls in the Bumbo more lately and it is amazing how strong they are getting! It seems like just a few weeks ago they would slump over after a few seconds. Now, they can hold their heads up for quite a while. When they are sitting in them, it cracks us up! They look so little to be able to sit! I had to share, sorry for the amount of pictures, but I took them over the last few days.

Elizabeth

Anna

Elizabeth and Anna

The girls love these Hallmark singing toys. Anna kept looking from one snowman to the next. We were laughing so hard!

She had a look of deep concentration.

Anna and Elizabeth again -- not sure what they are looking at.

Our little Kate

Jack entertaining Kate -- he loves to sing to the girls.

Jack loves to take pictures of the girls on our old, broken camera.

Smiles

I caught Anna and Elizabeth in great moods one morning this week. Hope their smiles put smiles on your face today!

Anna is Rolling

Just a few pictures of Anna rolling. She is getting so strong! When we put her on her belly, she lifts her head and almost straightens her arms. And she constantly will roll over once she tips her head slightly!

Precious Face