Christmas 2013 TRIP: 1, 257 miles--3 kids--1 dog and 2 parents in a truck pulling a trailer--POST 1: PaPaw Christmas

First a few pre-Christmas pictures... and Griffin's come and play

 

 

one of her many Christmas outfits

 

forgot to post these earlier... hilarious playing with the cowboy hat...

 

Evie will love me for these when she is 16.. :)

 

its like they didn't even leave--the kids played together awesome as usual.. and we had a great time catching up with Matt & Ashleigh

 

PaPaw's house for Christmas.  The girls were just a little obsessed with his chairs

 

some great pictures of the kids with PaPaw

 

and the cousins "playing together" 

 

 

opening presents

 

mmm yum, Skylar was a big fan of the paper :)

 

 

Gearing up for Christmas

whoa... Evie just woke up--and Helena has a huge double chin now...

 

 

Time to get some baking done!!  proof that they "helped" me with it all...

 

 

Evie may have eaten her fair share, and then some

 

Helena enjoyed the baking too, in her chair.  Check out these smiles we are starting to get!  Honestly, she smiles the best for Brian.  He doesn't even have to try! 

 

almost a laugh!

 

a nightly routine now--reading in pajamas on pillows by the Christmas tree

 

Savannah and Evelyn were so excited about the church's Christmas party for the kids.  They matched, Karolyn and Erika should recognize the shirts!

quite the character lately

 

 

aww...  look how tall Savannah looks!!

 

chopped 6 inches off my hair, its much easier to deal with

 

:)

 

 

Helena's new trick!!  She stands up and loves to do it. Brian says she has some very short, strong powerful legs 

 

 

 

Daddy is sleeping, Helena is not... :)

 

Christmas continues... and Helena's 2-month appointment

 

still loves to hold her sister

 

time to get out bake on... wearing the apron her Great Grandma Gesch made

 

ha ha, Evie's "helping" by getting into the butter dish... and yes she is just in brukies (sp?), we're finishing up potty training

 

Helena Gwendolyn @ two months:

 

11 lbs 3 oz (60-70%)

22 inches (40%)

umbilical hernia--yes, but smaller than Evie's. :) 

carrier status--unknown, retest with more blood drawn at her 1 year appt.

 

She is growing like a champ!  She is sleeping like a champ!  So far, I have to be honest, she is our easiest baby. 

 

and yes, still super cheeky.. I would like to see pictures of her Uncle Willie, apparently there is a resemblance

Thanksgiving... and getting our Christmas tree

 

gettin' all cleaned up... check out the towel Leslie-- super warm and cozy! :)

 

First Thanksgiving for this chubby baby

 

and wow, Savannah and Evelyn got into the tree decorating this year...

 

tada!