Winter Onederland

Every birthday needs a party, especially when you are my child, there is no way a party isn't happening. After throwing 5 parties for the boys, I couldn't wait to plan something girly for my favorite girl. I decided to go with Winter Onederland for obvious reasons but added a little glitter and rose gold because, well I could lol.

We invited all of our nearest and dearest, that live stateside to celebrate with us and that made the party! We had a ton of food, a chili bar, cold cut sandwhiches and chips and dip. And of course cake. With a smash cake just for Hayley. The older kids played a few games; pass the parcel and pin the nose on the snowman, and ended with a dance party. My favorite part was all of us singing Happy Birthday to the main star. I hope all of the people that were at her first birthday stay in her life so she can feel as blessed as we do now to have these people in our lives.

ONE

A whole year has officially passed by since our little girl was born. How can that be? They say time moves the fastest while watching a baby grow and they sure aren't wrong, especially when you have two more you are keeping track of! I will completely own the fact that I was dreading the day our last baby turned one. Sure, the sleepless nights aren't fun and teething can be a nightmare, and who really looks forward to numerous bottles to wash every single day? But the smell of a baby, their little coo's , those major milestones you witness through the first year, to never have that again, to me it is bittersweet, very much so. When we bought Hayley home from the hospital I vowed to myself to take this year slow, to just enjoy the time and not worry about social calendars and being involved in a million things. I am proud to say I did just that. I really enjoyed the moments, the big and the small and it has been the most wonderful year. Not just with Hayley, but all five of us. We all fell into our new roles seamlessly and with the most love we had to offer.

As you all know I love any reason to celebrate; holidays, job promotions, because it's a day ending in y lol, but there is no bigger celebration than birthdays! Her birthday fell on a Friday so the day was low key but when Daddy was done with work, we met him, Grandma & Grandad Smith & MomMom at our favorite Chinese restaurant for dinner. We ended the day with presents and cake for all. Including Hayley, it was her first taste of cake, though she really was a fan and preferred to just destroy the cake instead. All in all the day was perfect for our Lady Hayley.

December Festivities

What a whirlwind December was, but soooo much fun! And some great memories were made...

On December 1st an elf visits our house and leaves some goodies for the kids to kick off the Christmas celebrations. Besides the annual Christmas pjs, new books and advent calendars, the elf also left numerous things for the kids to do leading up to Christmas Day. The boys absolutely loved waking up in the morning to find out what they were to do that day. We did a candy cane hunt around the house, made cookies and delivered them to our town policemen, made Christmas cards, a snow globe craft, and decorate a gingerbread house. We did skip out on our Christmas train ride as Hayley would never sit for that long but we did throw our yearly Christmas party and we went to our Santa brunch with friends. We all look forward to those two events.

For the past few years we have attended our church's events Lights in the Village; They Santa, Christmas carolers, the town of Bethlehem that you walk through, superhero's (which Asher was soo excited to meet), and of course lots of Christmas lights!! It's a fun night out and the boys were pleased that their good buddy Cole came with them this year.

We love to watch Christmas movies. As soon as Thanksgiving dinner is cleaned up we turn on the tv and watch our first one of the season. The boys have gotten on board with our tradition, and as a treat we took them to the movies to see The Star. Awesome movie, it was the Christmas Story told by the animals. It was hilarious, Biblically true and most importantly the boys really got a great understanding of the story.

Our last activity was to drive around and Christmas lights. The kids wear Christmas pjs, we load up the car with munchkins and hot chocolate and Christmas music and have THE best time. Except, this year the evening went downhill quickly. We were all in the car, when Asher couldn't stop coughing, at all. So much so I had to call the dr, and was told we needed to take him to the ER asap. Turns out he had low oxygen and a severe case of croup. The poor kid was miserable and we felt terrible he was in such a bad state. We were sad to miss one of our favorite Christmas activities but were so thankful Asher was ok.

With all of those activities and then some, we were all fully feeling the Christmas spirit by the time Christmas Eve was upon us.

Boxing Day

In England, Boxing Day is just as big celebration as Christmas Day. Another big dinner, lots of family together, presents being exchanged. We all gathered at Dad and Jen's this year to have our traditional English Christmas dinner. Jen did not disappoint with the food. Turkey and all the trimmings, plus Christmas crackers to pull of course. It is hands down my favorite meal of the year, not just the food but all of us together, absolutely love it.

We did Christmas presents of course and all of the kids, David and James included had a great time playing with the toys.

After our doozy of a Christmas day it was so nice to get out, actually get dressed and have it feel like the holidays.

Christmas 2017

It certainly was a Christmas we wont forget in a hurry that's for sure! Between not attending Christmas Eve service, being up all hours Christmas Eve with Asher and his severe croup and my Dad falling down the stairs, injuring himself and them not making it over for Christmas dinner; Christmas day did not go as planned.

However Christmas morning was just magical! Playing Santa is just the best and seeing the kids faces in the morning, is worth it all. The boys didn't know where to look first, at the mounds of gifts by the tree or at the plate of cookies and carrots they had left for Santa and Rudolph. It took us quite some time to open gifts, and honestly that's the way I like it. We take turns opening so that we can all see what that person received. There were plenty of 'oooo's and 'aaaahhhs' from the kids and squeals from Hayley. Let's not forget to mention it was our first Christmas as a family of five. Not only that, but there were girl toys under the tree! Baby dolls, and princess palaces, etc. I'm not going to lie I can't wait to play together with Hayley.

Mom and Bill joined us for brunch which was relaxing and just what Christmas morning called for. Of course Mimosas were involved. It is so nice having them closer this year and seeing them on Christmas Day.

The rest of Christmas consisted of long naps for all, a yummy baked ham for dinner and lots of toy building and Christmas movie watching. As I said it's not how we saw our Christmas day going, but we made the best of the situation and had a wonderful day with our children.