Fun in the snow

We have had quite a bit of snow in the past 24 hours. After hearing, "Do you want to build a snowman," for the hundredth time, I took the kids outside to play. The kids had so much fun, and we all pitched in and made a snowman. The kids named him Chilly, after the snowman on Doc McStuffins. Poor Chilly only lasted two hours before he toppled over. After the cold snow, we all headed inside for "coffee"...AKA: hot chocolate : )

Leah - Nine Months

Leah turned nine months yesterday! Our little girl has no fear, and is doing new things with each new day. As you saw in the Christmas post, she is now pulling up on the furniture to a standing position, and is even starting to cruise along the furniture. She refuses to be left behind when it comes to playing with J and M. She also just got her two upper teeth, which makes for four total. She's wearing 12-18 month clothes, and we'll get a better idea of her size at next week's well-visit. And, to repeat myself in all previous posts, she is always so happy. Happy nine-months, little one!

Christmas

We had a wonderful time on Christmas Eve and Christmas morning with our little family. Andrew's parents flew in on the afternoon of Christmas, and we then headed to my parent's house for Christmas dinner. Dinner consisted of tamales, enchiladas, posole, guacamole and chips, a corn salad (the only healthy thing on the menu), a birthday cake for Jesus, and sopapilla cheesecake (it's okay to be jealous!). We celebrated Jesus' birthday, enjoyed being surrounded by family, ate a lot of yummy food, and the kids opened way too many presents. More importantly, we got to talk a lot about the meaning of Christmas, and grow the kid's affection for their Savior. I love Christmas!

The kids made wrapping paper for the grandparent's Christmas gifts.

Leah's first time participating in the Grundstrom Christmas Eve doughnut tradition.

Makayla got a Doc McStuffins doctor's kit

Joshua got Legos

Waiting at the airport for Gigi and Grandpa

The princess has arrived

Happy birthday, Jesus!

Gamma and Papi bought the kids musical instruments...Andrew and I were not amused ; )

And, Leah got this fun interactive cube...and started standing up with it...one-handed...

Decorating a gingerbread house...we found out Makayla is quite the decorator!

Christmas Eve Performance

The kids had a little performance during our church's Christmas Eve service. We practiced their verse and song every night for three weeks, so that they would be ready. I think we know who the performer is in the family...

Leah at 8 months

Here are some pics from when Leah turned 8-months...

Various November pics

My voting partner

The kids put together shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

Our type A Joshua

Leah was just starting to be able to join her siblings in their favorite activities.

Love these three together!

Thanksgiving

We traveled to Hobbs, NM for Thanksgiving to spend time with my grandparents, as well as other extended family. We ate tons of food, celebrated my sister's and Andrew's birthdays, and introduced Leah to some new family. It was a wonderful weekend celebrating all that we are thankful for.

I love the last picture of Joshua and my grandpa. These two share a very special bond as they both have a love for trucks and tractors. My grandpa had this book that chronicles the history of various semi trucks. They read through this book multiple times over Thanksgiving, and my grandpa would quiz Joshua on the various trucks. Joshua can now name the specific brand of various semis as we drive around town, and it is hilarious. Grandpa let Joshua take the book home with him, and it is safe to say that it is his favorite book. What a special bond to share!