End of the Year Fun

Sunny, unseasonalbly warm days, lots of play time with new Christmas toys, old toys, outside, brewing beer, fireworks, seasonalbly cold weather, dinner with friends all added up to a fun end of the year.

 Brew-master in (early) training

Warm and sunny in December after Christmas ... it didn't last long, but it was nice to get a brief break from winter before all the snow hit!

 dancing with her shadow

Dinner at Billy G's followed by hot chocolate and fireworks in downtown Kirkwood on December 28 (the last of the warm days!)

 embracing the chaos of going to dinner with 3 families (7 kids under the age of 6 and 6 adults ... somehow we even got complimented by another customer on how well-behaved all of the kids were!)

yep, these kids ;).  

ready for some fireworks!

 and zucchini cookies

New Year's Eve with friends -- we didn't make it to midnight, but we did stay out past 10!  

 The kids alternated between watching t.v. and running through the house having fun :)

 Teddy was happy to join the big kids -- seriously, being the youngest has its perks!

ready to ring-in the new year!

Happy New Year!

{Christmas}

We had such a wonderful and joyful Christmas filled with lots of time with family, lots of traditions, lots of time to play, lots of Christmas movies, lots of food, and lots of love.  The girls are at an age that they were happy to go off and play together or with Peyton with their new toys (or watch movies in the basement) and Teddy was happy to play with anyone who would get on the floor and play trucks with him.  Christmas continues to be one of my favorite times of year and I love that my children are getting to experience all of my favorite holiday traditions with their grandparents and extended family.  It's the best gift I could get and I cherish it every year.

Christmas morning at home

 a new table for all of Teddy's trains

 the girls opening their gifts for each other

 playing was more fun than opening presents

 Millie was SO curious about what was in this bag in the days leading up to Christmas -- it was an art kit :)

 So happy to get the jammies she wanted

SUPER excited for this gift as well

 Millie made a journal for Merrill -- she made gifts for everyone in the family

 Teddy wrapped Raggedy Andy up in his new shirt to put him to sleep :)

Best gift ever

{More Christmas}

Christmas at Lainey and Grampa's

 the traditional Christmas rolls made by Grampa

more presents -- more toys to play with!

Decorating cookies

 Merrill's cookie

 hummus break

 tired girl

Mary's mom was so sweet and did story time for the kids at the end of the night