Rewind 2 weeks....

Like I wrote before, I'm behind in my posting. I think that there are some events like the Polar Express that I won't even get around to posting about because there are a LOT of pictures to go through at this point!

Two weekends ago we had the Schwinns over for our annual Christmas get together. My cheeks hurt by the end of it from laughing so much. I just adore Robyn and Erich and of course Morgan and Gavin! :)

We set up some crafts so these crazy kids could calm down before dinner time!

And maybe popped on Prep and Landing when they got too nuts! :)

But after dinner the silliness began again!

Just look at that hair fly as she runs through the living room!

Like I said, there was a lot of laughing. I got some funny ones of Robyn and Erich too but I'll save those for another day. :)

More Christmas. :)

Every year we alternate between going to my parent's and Brendan's parent's for Christmas afternoon.  This was the year  to go to Grammy and  Paw-Paw's.  It was fun, crazy, loud, and wonderful.  I can't get enough of all of the cousins together and as such took a ton of pics of the cousins but hardly any of the grandparents. Shame on me!  I will make a point to do so next time!

Of course, Aidyn and Charlotte found their way into the toy box again. At one point Charlotte tried to climb out, but Aidyn kept telling Charlotte to stay and pulled her back in!  

The boys cavorting. :)

My daughter happily walking through the living room without a care in the world...or a dress.

A is for A.dor.a.ble!!

Waiting to open presents!! 

There might have been a giant bear hug from Uncle Ethan at some point...or a tackle. Either way the boys were laughing up a storm!

I L.O.V.E this one of Olivia.  Look at those cheeks!

Cameron and Cole were up on the couch for what was supposed to be a cute picture but they got to wrestling somehow. I forgot who instigated who.  Cameron is the only friend (or cousin!) we let Cole play this with. Incidentally, he doesn't even try to do this with any other friend.  Cameron and Cole are both very good sports about this and the giggles that erupt from both of them even crack me up.  Thankfully in the past year when they started doing this, there hasn't been any ouchies or anything.  We usually stop them before it gets too out of hand.

Charlotte and Aidyn are like, "What on earth are you boys doing?"

This look that Cole is giving Cameron is just priceless.

Goodness Charlotte!  Be happy! It's present time! :)

This car track entertained Cole for a good hour at least.  He loved it!

Aidyn had fun watching Cole! 

And ending the night tackling Uncle Ethan is always a good time!! :)

Charlotte and Aidyn brought out the hats and danced to music!  The ones I took of both of them came out blurry unfortunately but these are cute!  Shake that booty, Charlotte!

Christmas Morning 2009

Christmas gets to be more and more fun every year with 2 little people jumping for joy in the morning!  We managed to delay them for a 1/2 hour to get some more sleep since Brendan and I had been up until 2am the night before straightening, wrapping, and assembling!  Every Christmas and Easter Brendan goes downstairs before  us to get our pictures as we come down the stairs! This year he took longer than  usual and we were all threatening to barge down the gate before he had the chance to get this picture, so excited were we! 

Charlotte discovered right away that Santa left a half eaten cookie and decided to finish it herself. 

I just love this picture because it shows how excited Cole was.

And this one too....

Charlotte finally has a place to lay her dolly's head.... :)

Breakfast anyone??

Tried to get one of the two of them but of course Charlotte found the chocolate reindeer and was interested in that only! Hey, she is her mother's daughter after all!!

Milk, baby?

And of course, Charlotte thought dolly would want some chocolate as well!

And then I opened my main gift and the next peak of wonderfullness was reached in my journey of photography!!!  I love, love, LOVE my new f1.8, 50mM lense. It is magnificent and takes amazing pics indoors!! I kept the flash off for the entire day and the light it captured was just ridiculous.  Of course later in the day I should have also played with the shutter speed to avoid blurriness on some pics but hey I am still learning! Been playing around with its capabilities a ton in the past couple days and will post some cool photos soon! But just look how clear the pictures become from here on out!

Baby needs shoes, of course!

Speaking of shoes, I just had to take this picture of Charlotte's new "pretty" shoes.  I picked these up at Target for like $6 and Charlotte absolutely adores them.  I think they are pretty smashing too!

Mom, Dad, Jay, and Kerry returned later in the morning for gift exchange.

Charlotte snuck away at some point and I found her in the dining room sneaking Pez candy.  Little bugger! She loves her sugar!!

oooooo, I just love this one of Charlotte walking through the paper!!

Ok, seriously, the Nerf guns were a gift to Cole but I fear they have found their way into Brendan's hands and will never return.  Brendan and Kerry had a nerf war around the house. 

This picture is just so cute because they are both doing the same thing. :)

And...some of the aftermath!! I love leaving the paper out for a day like this! It is so much fun to play in! :)