Christmas 2012

We were so busy over the Christmas holiday that I didn't have time to blog. We kicked off the holiday with a Christmas concert by all of the 4/5 year olds at Elliot's school. Elliot was in the back row so I wasn't able to get to may pictures of him. The kids were very cute and did a great job.

A few days before Santa's arrival we set up our Christmas train in Elliot's room. Every night before bed the kids begged to play with the train. It has lots of cute features like a little elf that pops out of a window. Thanks Mom (Mimsey) for this Christmas tradition! 

Grammy and Papa arrived from Colorado a few days before Christmas and we wasted no time in getting them into the Christmas Spirit. On the first or second night of their visit we took them to a house just over the line in DC that goes all out for the holiday. It was pretty cold, but worth the trip.

On Christmas Eve we spent the morning at the Air and Space Museum site near Dulles airport. This place is always a hit with the kids. There is lots to see, room to run, and a McDonalds in the museum.

Elliot spotted some Star Wars figures that are "Just like Daddy's!"

Beatrice Prepares to "Blast off!"

As we left the museum it was starting to snow. Bea and Juliana were pretty excited and decided to try to catch some snowflakes.

Later that day, Elliot, Beatrice and I went to church. After the service we hurried home to eat a wonderful Christmas Dinner that Daddy had prepared. After dinner, the kids got to open their first gift - Christmas PJs and Slippers from Ruby (our elf). After we got ready for bed we read our last Christmas book, The Night Before Christmas. The kids slept till 7 AM on Christmas morning and raced downstairs as soon as all of the grownups were ready and in place to take pictures. Despite having the camera ready, I didn't take many pictures. I was too busy watching the kids jump up and down with excitement. Elliot's big gift was a ship's wheel, telescope, and tire swing for his playground. Bea's big gift was a doll house. Everyone was VERY happy with what Santa brought them.

 

On the last night of Grammy and Papa's visit we went to see the lights and train display at Brookside Gardens. The crowds were non-existent compared to last year, when we went before Christmas. It was much more enjoyable to see the lights once the Christmas rush was over.

In addition to all of these activities, we baked and decorated gingerbread cookies, went out for some wonderful meals, and had Frank over for dinner on Christmas Day. Wow, we sure had a busy holiday! Although it was less than a month ago, it feels like it was ages ago. Time flies when you are having fun.

Visit with Santa

The kids are so excited for Christmas. I have to admit, I am pretty excited too. I have continued a couple of Traditions that we started last year, and added some new ones.

I hung up the advent wreathes I made last year and everyday the kids get a treat (sticker, chocolate coin, or little ornament). This year, instead of hanging the little ornaments on the big Christmas tree, they get to hang them on their own mini (artificial) tree in the kitchen. We have also continued the tradition of the elf on the shelf. Every night our elf, Ruby, finds a new place to hide and the kids LOVE finding him in the morning. For those of you not familiar with the elf on the shelf, click here. Lastly, Every night the kids get to open a new Christmas book. This is a new tradition, and not all of the books are new. Last spring I packed away all of the Christmas books - we own 23 Christmas books! Each night I place a "new" Christmas book in fabric bag. The kids are loving rediscovering their Christmas books!

To round out the festivities, we visited Santa this past weekend.  Beatrice was very excited until it was her turn - then she tried to bolt. She became less scared when she saw that Santa had lollipops and that Elliot was super excited and not afraid to meet Santa.

Sorry the picture is a little fuzzy, it is a picture of a picture.

Welcome Juliana

Lara's 18  months with us came to an end the weekend after Thanksgiving. She is traveling in the US with her sister and will be back this weekend for a final good-bye dinner. Although we are VERY sad  to say good-bye to our wonderful Lara, we were excited to welcome our new au pair, Juliana. Juliana is also from Brazil and is taking a break from pursuing her degree in Bio Chemistry.

I can't believe we are on our 3rd au pair. We have been so happy with the au pair experience and Juliana already seems like a wonderful fit for our family.

During her first weekend with us we picked out and decorated our Christmas tree. The kids were very excited to have her with us and loved showing her all of the ornaments, in addition to everything else in the house.

We are looking forward to a wonderful year with Juliana. I know we will keep in touch with Lara, just as we have with Mariana.

Mile High Thanksgiving

Times flies when you are having fun and the Farnum family has been having lots of fun! At the end of November we flew to Colorado (Mommy, Daddy, Elliot, Bea and Lara) to visit Grammy and Papa, and the Farnum-Lynotts (Aunt Stacey, Uncle Joe, Webb, and Adelaide). We arrived in Colorado on Friday and Mommy and Daddy left the next morning for a little detour trip to Mexico. While Mommy and Daddy soaked up the sun South of the Border, Elliot and Beatrice spent some quality time with Grammy and Papa. Elliot spent much of his time at Grammy and Papa's house playing with Daddy's old Star Wars toys.

Mommy and Daddy returned to CO on Tuesday and the The Farnum-Lynotts arrived the next day. Webb and Adelaide were not feeling their best over the Thanksgiving holiday.  Despite being under the weather they had fun playing with Beatrice and Elliot.

On Thanksgiving day, Mommy and Aunt Stacey ran in a 5K turkey trot race. It was a beautiful day and the route followed a path with an amazing view of the mountains. We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner and everyone ate their fill of delicious food.

In the days before and after Thanksgiving we visited the neighborhood playground, the Erie Rec Center and the Lafayette Children's Museum. All were great.

Out flight home was stressful. Bea was wound up and threw up all over Mommy mid flight. We all survived and were happy to finally get home at about 3AM on Sunday.

Everyone has received from the big and now have their sites set on the next big holiday and another visit with Grammy and Papa (this time they are coming to us).

We tried to take some family photos...

The kids helped cook dinner

Bea styled everyone's hair