Christmas Morning

Each Christmas with Amelia has been more and more fun; she's starting to really respond to all the excitement of the season and somewhat understand Santa and Christmas in general.  Audrey's first christmas this year was special - she was almost one year old and although did not quite comprehend what was going on, she definitely sensed the excitement and enjoyed watching amelia's reaction to it all.

Having children really makes you enjoy the holidays - for me, even more than I remember as a kid.  Planning activities that you know will light up their eyes, tickle their palate and make them giggle is so precious.  I get so much joy from watching them delight in it all.

It also makes me reflect on how fortunate we are to have such a wonderful extended family.  This year we had Christmas in Northern California.  With Scott and Kelly (and Oscar!) next door, Amelia especially has formed such a bond with her aunt and uncle, it warms my heart.  We will be sad when they finally move on (which I am sure they will be before we are ready!) from Ulmer Court.  Having Ellie and Papa so close just a few miles away has also been such a blessing; from watching the girls for a few hours here and there to random visits - it is fun to see the girls each form connections with their grandparents.  We are also very lucky to have Bob (GGPa) and Leslie (GiGi) near - and although we don't get to see them as often, both Amelia and Audrey have lovely relationships with them and appreciate spending time with them.  Lisa, although she now lives in Bend, visits her parents often and we usually get to see her and spend time to catch up on life.  We are lucky that the iPhone revolution has brought us face time and lots of ways in which to take photos and videos to share!

Amelia talks often of Mimi and Papa and when will be the next time she gets to see them.  We are lucky to see them just about every other month, which is wonderful.  I am sure in a few more years amelia and audrey will be asking to go down to San Diego without us to just spend time with their grandparents alone.   Amelia (and Audrey soon enough!) absolutely loves her cousins - in San Diego she follows Sophia around doing all things dress up, make up and art projects and watching "baby Nolan" outgrow her.  When Linds and Adam are in town with their brood of children (Lauren arrived mid- December to join brother Gray and sister Julia) - Julia, Amelia and Sophia typically get into some sort of trouble together and I am sure when we are in town for Christmas 2012, all SEVEN will be officially toddlers and it will be pure chaos - that I love of course.  Those kiddos all have so much fun together.  We are really lucky!  Welcome to the family baby Lauren!

We truly feel so blessed to have you all in our lives.