Minivan Express

 Sunday we surprised the kids with envelopes on the tree.  Each envelope had a ticket for the minivan express. Their tickets were good for one round trip on the Minivan Express to see some Christmas lights.  Ben acted as our conductor (all decked out with whistle, hat, and all) and hole punched the tickets as they entered.  He handed them a bag of popcorn and their water bottles after he punched the ticket.  This is a big deal because there is a "no food" rule in our van.  The kids were surprised and even said, "We can eat in the van?"  We told them on special occasions only.  The kids loved this and said it was so much more fun than just getting in the van.

 I saw the idea on this blog and wanted to do it.  The blog actually has tickets you can download and use but I didn't realize this until I had already made some of my own.

Here's our handsome conductor. I think he's he most good looking train conductor I've ever seen.

This is our favorite Christmas present we'll find under the tree this year!

Inventor......

Sara had a big report due a couple weeks ago.  She had to pick an inventor and then write a 3-5 page report on him/her.  Then last Thursday she was supposed to dress up as that inventor and give clues as to who she was.   Here's her costume...I think we did a pretty good job.  She looks just like him/her.  Any guesses which inventor she chose? 

Christmas Recital

Evan and Sara had their Christmas piano recital on Friday.  It was Evan's first one and he worked so hard to get the song down.  He played Jingle Bells.  He was so nervous but did awesome!  

This is Sara's friend April. We were able to take her along with us.

Sara played Still, Still, Still.  It was beautiful.

Miles haircut

Last Friday we decided it was finally time.  We've kept Miles' hair long because we loved the curls.  I would trim it to get it out of his face and keep it from looking to unruly, but that meant I was gradually cutting off all the curls.  Since the curls were basically gone, it looked more unkempt than cute.  So we did.  We got him a haircut.  He sat so well for the stylist.  He looks soooooo different.  He's no longer our little baby.  He looks like a big boy now.  It's taken me some time to get used to it,   but now I don't really remember him with his long hair.  He looks so grown up!!

3 Months

3-months-old

Asia is growing up!!  I can't believe it's already been 3 months.  She has been a joy!  I won't say it's been easy.   SHE's an easy baby, but five kids is far from easy.  

She loves to laugh and talk and make the rest of us smile.  Our cheeks hurt all day.  She's a pretty good sleeper.  She will usually sleep six to seven hours at night with an occasional eight or nine. She likes to stay up late, so we're still tired since we still have to get up at our normal time.  But it's all worth it to get a little bit of this all day.

Here she is at 3 months.  

if you need a smile go here to WATCH a fun video of her

Can you get any cuter? 

Here's more pictures of our photo shoot.  They're too adorable not to share. 

 She's even got a little sass in her.