Peaced Together: Some of the best days yet....

I don't know about you, but I was sad to see the holidays come to an end. While they can get a bit hectic and stressful, I am always sad to see the lights gone and the time with family commence. I stayed up late many nights finishing baking and shopping as it was easier to do once the kids were sleeping. However, I have to say one of the craziest memories I will always laugh about was shopping at TJ Maxx one particular night with Camilla (of course she was sleeping) from 9 to 11 pm....followed by a Walmart run with a friend from the hospital who had just gotten off work (after she just worked a double)!! I stayed there with her until after midnight (I barely go in there on a normal day...I avoid that place at all costs!). Needless to say we had some good laughs and a few too many laps around that store (but we did find the bagel chips and pita chips she wanted~ Mary I know you are laughing if you are reading this!!) Thanks for that memory!! And Camilla...well, she just slept right through it. That's probably a good thing. :)

Aaron and I said this was one of our best Christmases yet....maybe it was because we had a new child to enjoy along with Jude.....or maybe because it was so action packed with family. Maybe it was because we celebrated the birth of the Christ child once more ....all of these beautiful things created memories that were forever priceless....

Those baby blues.....

Resting with dad (well, one of them is resting) lol

I will forewarn you now....as I was uploading all 170 some pictures...yes, I did say 170 (give or take a few), I noticed how many pictures Jude is not wearing pants....just underwear. So, if that offends you, you may want to stop looking now. Haha! Or maybe you were scared away by my mentioning the number 170.

Happy Thanksgiving morning!!! (from Turkey #2)

and Turkey #1

Jude was able to spend some quality time with his cousin Eve....they have become quite the pair. Unfortunately, she lives in Michigan so they don't get to hang out more often.

Aaron's sister Holli

Eve holds her cousin

Pap Pap has a way of bringing out the giggles....

Cousin Ben

Just relaxing with Uncle Justin.....

"Yep, I'm cute." :)

("and my Uncle Justin....well, he's pretty cute too....I don't want to be accused of stealing the entire show here") :)

"Nana and I got some cuddle time....."

"And some good laughs (and, no I'm not sleeping here)....."

Some crazy guy in the kitchen along with our grandma

"Mugs" takes a break to get some Camilla time :)

Pap spends some floor time with Milla (and punkin too!)

Two stuffed (I mean three stuffed) turkeys. At least Aaron isn't sucking his thumb too...I would be concerned.

Jude's getting a little too comfortable ....lol.

Of course we had to celebrate Jude's birthday (again)...this time....a "Georgie" pie

Uncle Lynn and Jude....

Jude giving some hugs for his birthday gifts!

They stopped to see us a few days later at our house.....

Movie time....Jude even covered her up!

Sweet girl...almost as sweet as a.....

Gingerbread cookie!!!!

Jude wasn't content with one clip in her hair....haha!

Both of my babies....

Camilla's not so sure.....maybe she's afraid someone will try to eat her :)

"There, there Camilla....it will be ok...."

mmmmm.....she's looking awfully yummy :)

The day has arrived...today we get our tree!

Kisses for Camilla...

Making sure her hat is on right....

making sure the tree is secure lol

my snow bunny....

look at those lashes....

Jude took this close up of the tree....he is getting some good skills :)

The tree decorating is underway...

Camilla seems overjoyed with the tree!

So, I put these two through the torture of dressing up for Christmas card pictures. Of course we got some definite keepers, but we also had a lot of bloopers. Don't worry...I will share both :) I know that chair is quite ugly....one day it is going to be reupholstered for our other place, but it worked for what I needed. lol

Ok....so now for a few laughs....

Take 240...I am sure I would be feeling the same way....ha

"Mom, I just can't look at you anymore...."

"Ok, I'll give you one eye...but that's it."

These moments melt my heart...(now if I can get my Jude to stop sucking his thumb).

Jude apparently didn't agree with what Camilla's butt said. lol

4 months???? Seriously. That flew by!!!

Jude wanted me to get a picture of his butt too...lol

Jude's shirt says "definitely nice"......there may have been a switch up at the print shop with their outfits. hahaha.

Of course we had to make cut out sugar cookies.....

While Camilla hung out with us in the kitchen.....

Jude discovered that playing with flour was way more fun than rolling dough.

And of course making cookies in your underwear is better too. (I don't buy that) I think Jude thinks everything is better in your underwear only....

A friend of mine, Emily, came over and helped us bake. She was brave enough to hold this reindeer. lol

Jude and Em.

Aunt Lois came over to bring the kids a copy of 'The Night Before Christmas'....and of course read it to them. Jude really enjoyed it.

Then we had decorating to do.....

He got pretty serious about it.

What do you think?

He did these and I think they were great!

ok time to take my shirt off now...and talk to my favorite cookie...."Milla wafer"

Must be pretty funny....

Christmas Eve...before Mass

Hanging out watching Polar Express after Mass...

Ok, so our tree got a few more decorations this year, but I kept it fairly simple...

Looks like Santa brought them a few things....

The children were nestled all snug in their beds....

Throughout advent, we put hay in the manger to prepare for the coming of baby Jesus.....The Christ child was in His manger when Jude woke up, and the first thing Jude did was give him more hay. He did that before he opened any gifts. I was very proud of him.

Now for the presents...

"hey, does anyone mind helping me open a gift?"

Jude's fishing game...

New books....

And Jude's favorite gift was his thurible so he can pretend he is a priest incensing. He often would walk about swinging an umbrella to imitate it...now he has his own...

Can eating get any more fun for a boy?

Cousin Dan

Of course Christmas day naps are a must...

pretty girl

Pap pap

Uncle Eber

Someone is happy to be with pap pap and memaw

My future photographer...

With Aunt Karyn...

My chunky monkey....haha.

"Mom, what do you find so funny about this?"

Christmas dinner with my family...we ate upon hay as a symbol of Jesus' birth...

Pappy and Milla

my brother and I

Pap and Mugs

Jude and Nana

Camilla and Daddy...oh wait, there is a crazy Uncle Justin in the background.

Jude, Nana and Pappy

Nana and all her babies (well, apparently there wasn't room for Justin and I) haha.

I think Camilla wanted front row seats for Home Alone.

Notice: 1. no pants 2. Jude has just put a new shirt over the shirt he was wearing. 3. Remember this.

checking out the calendars I made.

Jude putting on his new pajamas. Note: The other two shirts are still there.

Jude has now put another shirt over top of EVERYTHING!!! The ninja turtle theme was something fun.. Uncle Justin loved them growing up so of course Jude had to get a shirt (as well as Milla....lol)