Sunday Fun

This afternoon the Appledorns and the Andersons came over for pizza. It had been awhile since we'd seen Dan and Annalee, and forever since all three families have spent time together.  The kids got along beautifully, playing with toys, coloring, and spending a long time unloading Todd's change jar, pretending they were "gold dubloons."  The adults had a great time chatting and wrangling all the kids.  So far Natalie and Brynn are both brunettes, but the big kids are all sassy blondes. :)

Hannah and Natalie

Leah

Leah and Natalie (and Becky's hand!)

The guys

Becky and Natalie

Miles and "Nasan"

Hannah organizing a plan to load the gold doubloons into the fire engine.

I wanted a picture of all three of them looking at the camera.  Hannah was the only one who thought that was a good idea.

Sweet baby Brynn.  I wasn't able to capture it on camera, but she is smiling a lot now--so cute!

Natalie and Daddy

The four big kids: Hannah, Miles, Nathan and Leah.

After all the excitement of having so many friends over, Nathan and Daddy and Lambykins relaxed on the couch and watched Cars 2.

Back to Reality

Well this was my first week back to work after maternity leave.  All in all, the week went great!  I am a really social person, so although I loved spending so much time at home with the kiddos while I was on leave, I missed the daily interaction with colleagues and friends that I get at work.  Todd and I are sharing the morning get-the-kids-ready duties, so that has allowed us to get out the door approximately on time each morning.  I am hoping to keep up the momentum of prepping all of our food and my pumping supplies the night before.

Natalie's had a great adjustment to daycare, which has made my adjustment to having her there much easier.  I don't know if it is because she's a lot older than Nathan was when he started, or that she is used to having a noisy brother around, or just her personality, but Natalie has slipped right in to the routine and busyness of daycare.  She loves watching the older babies play, is great at taking a bottle, and is even managing to get a few naps in.  I love the fact that she and Nathan are at the same place--Nathan has visited her several times this week.

Speaking of Nathan, he has started the transition into the Preschool room, and will be there full-time starting on Monday.  He is SO excited, and feels like such a big boy. It's really cute.  He'll be the only kid in the class who isn't potty trained, and he already seems more open to the idea.  He sat on the potty several times at school this week, and this morning he wanted to wear big boy underwear for several hours.  He tried to go several times, but had some accidents instead.  I'm encouraged at his interest and willingness--progress!

Happy New Year!

On December 31, we hit the road for metro Detroit to welcome 2012 with Stuart and Erin in their new house.  They closed and moved in right before Christmas, and Stu spent the week after Christmas painting all of the bedrooms and one of the bathrooms, and a lot of their new furniture arrived just before we did!  They were very sweet to host us in the midst of all their settling in.  I immediately fell in love with their house--it was built in the 1920s, so it has tons of character and charm, and the previous owners spent a bunch of time and money updating the kitchen and bathrooms, refinishing the floors, wiring the house for sound, and insulating the three car garage.  So it's in fantastic condition, and it already feels home-y even before they have art on the walls.

We went out to lunch at a really yummy BBQ place in Royal Oak, and then Erin and I went to Homegoods while the boys went back home with the kids.  Erin and I had a blast wandering through the store, and we each found a deal.  We got home to find Stu putting Nathan down for a nap and Todd rocking Natalie to sleep.  Nathan absolutely adores Stu and Erin, and I so appreciate how involved and helpful they are with him.  

Nay went to bed easily (thank goodness; he's been fighting bedtime a bit lately), and we feasted on a sampler platter from a nearby Lebanese restaurant and the variety of Short's beer with which Stuart had so generously stocked the fridge.  Around 10:00, Erin's parents, grandma, aunt and uncle came by to ring in the new year.  It was great to catch up with them, the Trussell/Chirillo clan is always up for a good time!  At midnight Natalie, who had been sleeping in different people's arms all night, woke up and couldn't have been more thrilled to find herself in the middle of a party!  She was passing out smiles left and right, but she was especially enthralled with Erin's dad, Mark.  Every time Natalie looked at him, she would give him the biggest grin possible and squeal with delight--it was so cute!!

The next morning we relaxed and ate bagels while Nathan played, and Todd and Stuart installed a new light fixture in the living room.  Nay was really upset when it was time to leave, as were we, but it was Sunday and we had to get home.  I didn't take very many photos this trip--I'm trying to figure out the balance between capturing memories on camera and actually enjoying the time while it's happening.

Nathan and James the cat checking each other out.  Nathan loves cats.  James isn't so sure about toddlers.

Hanging out in the cozy tv nook in the living room.  Natalie was fighting sleep.  Sleep won.

Once Nathan went to bed, James was free to relax, an activity at which he excels.

Christmas with the Emhofs

We usually spend Christmas Eve with my side of the family.  This year Steve and Joanna didn't fly in until the evening of Christmas day, which made their travels a lot more affordable.  I'm so thankful that they have spent the last two Christmases in Michigan!  On Boxing Day we headed up to mom and dad's house to celebrate.  We opened presents, ate yummy food and of course posed for a family photo.  Todd had to work the next day, so he headed home after helping put the kids to bed.  Nathan, Natalie and I spent a few more days hanging out with the family.  

Steve, Joanna, Nathan and Lambykins

Nathan and Joanna playing Santa and passing out presents.

Nathan is also an excellent present opening assistant.

Joanna was really sweet with Natalie, often holding her so that I could eat with two hands. :)

Uncle Steve meeting his new niece.

Smiles for Grandpa John. 

I love the fuzzy boots!

Daddy and his baby girl.

Perhaps we're adding another shutterbug to the family?

Nathan wanted me to read a book to him and Santa.

I love this photo of my mom.

Prepping for the family photo. Nathan was thrilled.

Me and my boy!

Photo op in Natalie's adorable hat, a hand-me-down from Becky's girls.

Natalie and Grandpa John have a special bond already.  They are so sweet together!

Nathan and Grandpa filling the bird feeders.

Nathan was feeling a little nervous about the plot in Llama Llama Red Pajama.

Chatting with Aunt Joanna

My handsome brother

My handsome Daddy