December

Wow, I need to catch up on the entire month! There have been several significant events this month, which is probably why I have fallen behind. I always want to do justice to the important things, but I rarely have the time. So, rather than wallow in my perfectionism, let me at least get started with some highlights.

On December 5th, we celebrated the 4th anniversary of Julie's adoption.
If you've been following along for a while, you'll know that we always make a ring cake to celebrate the formation of our family, much like Larry and I exchanged rings at our wedding. Both symbolize that we are a family by a promise and "until death do we part." This year Julie wanted a chocolate chip ring cookie!

On December 9th, we celebrated the 1st anniversary of Joseph's birth.
I tried my hand at making a cake for the first time ever (Larry's mom inspired me by making Julie a gorgeous doll cake last summer). Since Joseph looooves his "Blue Bear," I tried to replicate him in cake form. It came out fairly well for my first shot. I have so much more to say about Joesph turning 1 that it will have to wait for another post.

On December 9th, we also attended Julie's school Holiday Concert.
The kindergartners were the cutest!

On December 19th, we celebrated the 5 year 6 month anniversary of Julie's birth. She was so excited to turn 5 1/2! It was also my Aunt's birthday. Happy Birthday, Tante!


On December 19th, we also attended Melody's gymnastics "performance."


On December 25th, we celebrated the anniversary of the birth of our Lord.
This is the photo we finally got for our Christmas cards. Now wait, don't get offended that you haven't gotten one. We still haven't sent them out! It seriously took us a week of trying to get this family shot since we had no one to help take it. It's so much fun to compare how the kids have changed since previous years' cards, all hanging in order on our fridge.

On December 26th, we enjoyed some really great fun in the snow.

This was Joseph's first time out in the snow and he loved it! I have more pictures to share, that is, if I want to admit that I stood by and snapped away as Larry fed our little son hunk after hunk of the white stuff. At least it was fresh-fallen!

Also on December 26th, we witnessed the following:
If you can't tell, he is standing on the bottom ledge. Dishwashers, tables, refrigerators...our boy is an equal opportunity climber and explorer! I love the "who, me?" expression!

Phew! It feels good to catch up a bit. More to come soon!

A Matter of Minutes

That's all it took. I went into the bathroom, leaving Joseph and Julie playing happily on the floor while Melody sat at the table. I came out a few minutes later and this is what I saw:

Is your first thought the same as mine? "What? There's a baby on the table! Wait! How on earth did he get there?" With Grandma gone, there was nobody else strong enough to lift him up there. Oh, me of little imagination! Melody quickly filled me in on the goings on during my (very short) absence. My clever son went under the table, pulled Julie's booster seat off of her chair, used it as a step to hoist himself onto her regular chair, turned himself around and climbed right up on the table. So simple, right? And why stop there? Why not pluck every single napkin out of the holder and scatter the big box of crayons all about too? Such fun can not be kept to oneself either, so I'm sure you can imagine how many children I had on the table before all was said and done. I had to call an end to the festivities when one shall-remain-nameless little boy started trying to eat the salt shaker. Good times :-)