Christmas for Five, Please

Right before Aveline came, we visited our favorite "crazy Christmas light's everywhere" house

This Christmas was especially fun as we had our own little "Baby Jesus" to play with! Aveline is truly lighting up our lives and bringing us such joy. The girls just love on her from sun up to sun down. It's such a delight to see.



Things have been a little crazy around here with Madrigal Feast and traveling and choir festivals and all that goes along with being a choir director's wife (I know you wouldn't think it would be crazy, but IT IS!!!), on top of having a newborn. Life right now is made up of a lot of feeding sessions, diaper changes, bags under the eyes, schooling in pajamas, and not a ton else, but we are loving it.



This year, we met Scott's family in Vegas the week before Christmas and had a nice relaxing time. We decorated gingerbread men, had an ornament exchange (sort of like white elephant), played with the cousins - Gavin and Lexi - and just enjoyed each other - so nice! Oh, but we did lose the oldest girls for a minute in the elevator of the Bellagio! They got on and thought we were getting on too, only to realize they were alone in the elevator! Scary - for all of us! Thankfully, Em kept her wits about her and got herself and Nola back to our original floor with the help of an employee, and only burst into tears after she was safely in my arms.

The ornament Emmerly made for the exchange (with just a tiny bit of help from Mommy)

The ornament Nola painted for the exchange

At the Bellagio after the "elevator incident"

We were with my family on Christmas day and enjoyed good food, good company, and celebrated the birth of our Lord! It's always fun to have a new baby around, and the older girls are at an age where they truly enjoy Christmas, and still understand what it's truly all about. The girls were excited to receive Lalaloopsy Dolls, rollerskates and rollerblades, a bike, a pogo stick, a plasma car and Emmerly's first American Girl Doll, Kit. We are truly blessed!

Aveline snuggling with Uncle D

The week following Christmas we all got sick except Aveline. No fun, but at least Scott was home to help me out!

Now, looking forward to a wonderful 2012 with our new family of five. Blessed indeed!!