merry Christmas!!!!!!

Anya is here!!!! She is just sweetness!

Paul was a little reluctant, said, "It's been a long time...", as if he didn't still know how to hold one:)

Aaron took a turn with Anya...one thing that just melts my heart is seeing the big boys with the little ones....

Kathryn and Aaron....

Evelyn Joy...I love how Suri is in this one. Suri LOVES Ashley. She remembers her, and when she arrived yesterday, no barking at all! Just pure joy, Suri whined and wriggled and snuggled as close as she could get to Ashley, and we marveled. It's as if Suri knows that Ashley really loves her.

Suzanne gets a turn!


Ben brings joy! Here he's with Charlotte Claire and Sonja K. He played basketball with the little girls, read Camille a few books, then tucked them in at bedtime.


Aaron 21, Samuel 18, Benjamin 25, Joseph 22, and Jonathan 9 years old...my five sons.

And of course there is Kitty sleeping on the presents.

Miss Char with Kitty and Suri, and Camille. Kitty was purring, Suri was washing her and mothering her....

My two babies:)

Chilling on the couch...

It was amazing to meet Anya. The kids so anxiously waited for their turns to hold her. Ashley was a real trooper, sharing her precious baby with everyone. I was very thankful for that, I remember how it was with that first baby. Our house was full of joy and fun, we had Buffalo and barbecue wings, and taquitas, and some veggies, then the platter of Christmas cookies....there were a few squabbles among the girls, which is normal, Christmas or not, but other than that it was a really nice day.

I woke up early this morning, and like a little kid started chanting in my head, "It's Christmas Eve, it's Christmas Eve!!", and couldn't even think of going back to sleep. So I sneaked out here to the living room, all tippy-toes, let the puppies out, shoveled a little path on the deck (yes, we have snow! White Christmas here!), brought them in and fed and watered them, fed the cat, and here I am in my comfy chair. The little girls are stirring in their room, they don't chant things in their heads, they shout them out loud. Kitty is sleeping on my legs, and I am relaxed. I like to take note of when I actually relax, so I can remember later when I feel like I NEVER relax.

Today we are having a three o'clock brunch, waffles and fruit and whipped cream, eggs and sausage and bacon. Ben and Ashley are taking some gifts over to a family they know of who is having a rough time this year, I found out and searched my closet, and came up with some things for the little girls to wrap for their kids. I wished I had known earlier, I would have gotten a few extra things.

Anyway...have a Merry Christmas!!!!!