When I least expected it...

The Spirit of Christmas crept into my house today.  When I least expected it.  Nothing spectacular about the day.  Actually plans were cancelled and shopping trips cut short due to yucky colds and inclement weather.  Snow you say?  Not here.  Tornado warnings four days out from Christmas.  I must live in Texas.

Nonetheless, I found the beauty of today in the little moments.  Watching George try to teach Jack how to sword fight.  Seeing Jack climb all the way up the stairs by himself for the first time.  He was very pleased! Seeing John and George cuddled up in the recliner watching Star Wars.  Jack napping so peacefully even though he is sick.  Clara gobbling up three helpings of her dinner.  Hearing the kiddos excitement as we announced an impromptu drive around the neighborhood to look at Christmas lights after dinner.  Clinking wine glasses with my husband while making New Years plans for our family.  Today I soaked it all in and felt the Spirit of Christmas fill up my soul, which to me there really is no better feeling. 

There is one part of my day that filled my mind as I put Jack to bed and started shutting down the house for the night.  It is a picture of Clara.  We spent a good amount of time together today Christmas crafting.  We sat together before lunch and made a Christmas tree, stocking, and snowman out of construction paper and glitter.  As we crafted we talked too and I was blown away by how big my little girl is.  I will forever have her four year old self etched in my mind from today.  I can see her sweet curls fall around her beautiful face as she ducked her head in concentration.  I can see those big honey colored eyes squint in determination to get things just right.  I can see her expressions turn from delight, to frustration, to amusement, to excitement, and back again.  I can see that small bit of glitter that somehow made it to the tip of her nose sparkle in the light.  I can hear her say "Fwosty" instead of  "Frosty" and know that soon I will miss those sweet mispronunciations.  I will always remember the conversation we had about her favorite friends in her class and how much fun she has with them.  I really saw her today.  Not in a fleeting glance as I cleared the dinner table or threw another load of laundry in or answered a phone call.  I stopped and I saw her.  And she is amazing and beautiful and mine.  I realized today that I need those moments just as much as she does.  

Today was one of those days that fills your heart so full that tears sting your eyes.  Today was one of those days that you are so incredibly thankful for your family and your blessings that it slightly overwhelms you. The moments of today are really the stuff of life.  And I am so thankful that I slowed down long enough today to let all of it creep in.

Merry Christmas.

School Christmas Party

Jack and I attended George and Clara's school Christmas party today.  We love this school.  We love these teachers.  They make everything special and are so loving.  I enjoyed watching the twins create Christmas crafts with their friends.  They made reindeer food, a Christmas card, decorated and ate a Christmas cookie, and made a snowman.  They also did a book exchange.  I was so happy to be able to share in these moments today. 

Lights in the Heights

We spent a fun evening with some of our closest friends Ashley and Michael at their annual Lights in the Heights Christmas Party.  The kids enjoyed face painting and a bounce house.  They had a delicious food truck serve dinner for everyone.  It was so fun to see Evan and Jack playing together.  Then we bundled up and walked the streets to enjoy all of the beautiful Christmas lights.  Jack was in awe of everything.  George and Clara loved every minute of it.  Thanks to the Lyle's for the night of fun! 

Happy Birthday Pop Pop Beard!

We celebrated my Dad's birthday with a dinner at our house.  It was a great night with family.  Happy birthday to Pop Pop Beard.  I am sure you've done many things right in your life, but one thing is for sure. You excel at being an amazing Dad and Grandpa.  We are so blessed by you!!  XOXO.

And this gem was taken by our budding photographer George...

Trim the Tree

We spent Sunday afternoon putting up and decorating the tree.  George and Clara did most of the decorating this year.  Mom and Dad just helped them reach the high spots.  Jack slept through most of the decorating but was surprised and excited to see the tree when he woke up.  Such sweet memories made!

Stealing kisses from this cutie under the mistletoe happens to be one of my favorite things!

KAMOM Santa Brunch

We enjoyed our annual holiday brunch with our twin, triplet, and quintuplet friends.  We loved seeing Santa and receiving a book from him.  It was a great morning celebrating with friends!

Christmas Program 2013

George and Clara sang in their very first school Christmas Program.  It was quite adorable.  Clara was very nervous but then wanted to do it again when it was all over.  George was unfazed by the large group of parents in front of him.  He was relaxing in his chair like he was on the couch at home.  Definitely a night for the history books.  My littles are getting so big!!

After the program there were cookies and drinks and a visit from Santa.  Only one of my kiddos would go anywhere near him.  Go Georgie!

The Nutcracker

My Mom and I took George and Clara to a "fancy lunch" and our local production of The Nutcracker.  They did really well during the performance.  George loved the battle scene between the Rat King and The Nutcracker.  Clara loved all the pretty dancing.  They were able to sit through the whole performance with some managable wiggles.  I hope to make this a Christmas tradition!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We enjoyed another wonderful Thanksgiving with our whole family.  I think Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  It is all about giving thanks and relaxing and feasting with family.  We started our day baking the pies for the family celebration.  This is our job every year and I love doing this with our kiddos!

 

We spent the afternoon playing at home before we headed over to my parent's house for our celebration.

As our family grows, there isn't much room at the dining room table.  Sometimes this bothers the kiddos but I thought if I made the kids table a fun place to be they wouldn't feel left out.  It worked!  Now I have to top this next year...

The kiddos spent time upstairs building and playing before dinner was served.

Then we feasted!  Everything was delicious.  We have some seriously good cooks in our family.

 

 

Then we spent time by the fire table in this chilly weather.  

 

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours.  My goal for next year is to get pictures of every family member instead of just all of our adorable kiddos.