Post christmas in Seabrook

We decided to go to Seabrook with my family the day after Christmas for a few days. Jess and Patrick were flying down and my parents were also driving down after spending Christmas with us. We usually don't like to miss an opportunity to go back to our beloved South Carolina. We had a few days before I had to work on New Year's Day, so we went. The kids did great on the way down. We left a little earlier than we did last time so that we didn't have to drive all night and it worked much better for Chris and I. We were able to actually get there and get some sleep that night so we didn't have to stay up all night.

it was great to be able to get outside some and play with the kids. The weather wasn't great, but much better than PA. We will take 60's any day in the winter.

Jess and Lilly hanging out on the boat. Jess is newly engaged and we started planning her summer wedding at seabrook. So excited for her and can't wait for this summer back at the beach.

Alex and Lilly looking out at the other boats in the marina.

Trying to get a picture of me and my boys. Hard with the sun in their eyes.

Definitely raising boat babies. They all love being on the water and on the boat.

Daddy and the babies

Dee Dee, PaPa and the babies

This is one of our favorite places to go and I'm so happy that my family will always have South Carolina to go to as a place where we can always be together. With my family so spread out, its great to have a meeting ground where we all enjoy going.

Christmas 2011

It has been another wonderful Christmas at our house. We had family her to help experience the joy of Christmas in the eyes of my children. Julian was so excited about christmas and couldn't wait for morning to come. And the twins were actually understanding that something special was about to happen. They understood that they were about to get a present from a man called Santa. They knew exactly what they wanted and would tell anyone that would ask.

We ended up doing Christmas morning in shifts due to wake up times. Julian is our early riser, like his father, so he was up around 6 am. We all got up with him and went down to see what santa brought. He was very excited. We all had a late night so were very tired, but woke up fast to see him experience Christmas. The twins got up around 8, so then we did it all over again with them. It actually worked out really well, because we could spend time seeing what Julian got and opened presents from each other and then could help the twins navigate through their toys and presents. I think it was a little overwhelming for the babies, but eventually made it through all the toys.

Here are a few pictures from our morning. It was hard to get too many because we were opening presents with the babies most of the morning.

This was the babies last day of preschool before Christmas break. They dressed up for the holidays in their Christmas Red and had a great day at school for their party. Love how far they've come since school started. Alex is a different child now when I drop him off. He says bye and gives me a kiss, but is very happy when I pick him up a couple hours later.

Julian was first down the stairs bright and early to see what Santa had brought. His big gift this year was a new bike that is bigger than his old one since he's growing so fast. I think it looks a little scary to him right now, but when it's nice enough to get outside, he'll do just fine.

Of course we had animal presents that were some of his favorites.

Checking out Alex's train table before he comes down.

What would presents be for Julian without some dinosaurs.

And our new interest this year is the wrestling men.

Lilly's and Alex's side of presents.

my beautiful Christmas tree. I love christmas decorations. Wish it could stay up all year round.

My sweet boy, getting so big

Papa looking at his shirts we made him with his boat on the back. And we all got one to match.

Santa didn't leave many cookies left and drank all his milk.

Mommy bringing 2 sleepy babies downstairs to see what was for them. Lilly poked her head up when Alex got up and told us, "me not up". Gotta love a child that likes to sleep in. takes after her mamma.

lilly and Alex, Christmas morning

Lilly asked for a baby with a bottle and that's what she got.

Alex playing with his "dig dig"

Checking out the new train table.

The baby has a bed now, and Charley was giving some kisses to Lilly

opening their ugh shoes from dee dee and papa

Blake playing with Lilly

We are going to continue our family time and head to Seabrook SC tomorrow. It's going to be a little warmer outside to enjoy the beach and park and get some time to play together. Jess is joining us and we had some exciting news that she got engaged to be married to Patrick. We are so happy for her and can't wait to help Jess plan her wedding. She deserves so much to be happy and we love seeing a smile on her face.

We have had a wonderful December and look forward to what 2012 has in store for us. We have many new things going on in the horizon and again we look forward to the changes and what life has in store for our family.

Getting Ready for Christmas

Things have been so busy around here the past few weeks. We transitioned from a busy week in Atlanta for Kelly's wedding and Thanksgiving to full work weeks and back to school for the kids. We have had some exciting news. Chris has had some wonderful things happening at work. Chris's counterpart that does his job on the Loctite side is retiring and they decided to combine both businesses to be run by one person. Chris had to interview for this new position in the early december. We found out that Chris got the position, which is huge for his career. This will be a Vice President level job, (the title will hopefully come later this year after he completes some more training and further interviews). We are so happy, and feel like the past several years have all become worth the effort and time we have put into getting to this point. I feel like our family has made many sacrifices so that this time would come, and it feels so rewarding that this has happened. Because Chris is related to my dad, who runs Henkel right now, he has always had to work harder to prove himself to others that may think he has gotten to where he is because of who he is. We have tried to achieve so much in such a short time because we have to be better than the rest to prove ourself (him). ( I feel like I've been on this journey as much as him, so I talk about this as a we thing.) I'm just so happy for him, and know that he has truly earned everything he has gotten through his hard work and wonderful work ethic. Unfortunately, he will be very busy with this new role and has been traveling a lot. I do think this will mean 1 more move for us. I normally would be very upset by the prospect of moving again, but this time, we probably will move to CT where my parents live. I haven't lived near my parents since they moved while I was in College. I've never had the luxury of having parents or grandparents nearby to lend a hand or enjoy being close. So, I can't wait to live near my parents again. I will be nice to have some company while chris is so busy working. More details to follow.

In all the crazy, we've been getting ready for Christmas. My favorite holiday. I love everything about Christmas. I love the decorating while listening to christmas music. I love to see everyone so happy during the season. It is a time where I do look around and see how extremely blessed my family is. I have 3 beautiful children that are happy and healthy and thriving. I have a wonderful husband that is a hard worker, provider, and a wonderful father. I have been so lucky to get everything I have, and give thanks during this special time of the year. I sent out Christmas cards the other day. It says so much that the NICU was on my short list of people receiving a card this year. I am so grateful to all the doctors and nurses that helped getting our family to this point in our life. You create such a bond with them being there day after day for 7 long weeks, and they will always feel like part of our family.

Christmas is ready and I am looking forward to seeing my children's faces come down on Christmas morning to see what Santa has brought. I can't wait to spend time with my family and enjoy the season.

The 2011 Stanford Christmas card picture.

The kids helping to decorate the christmas tree. When we were done. I had to redistribute the ornaments because they were all in the same spot. But they had a good time.

Julian being brave and wanting to climb the ladder to hang the top ornaments.
Lilly's turn. Alex (my non-daredevil decided to pass)
Enjoying time with my 3 little ones in front of the tree.
Lilly posing
Cooking baking time. The twins and I decided to make Julian some cookies for while he was at school. The babies liked pouring the sprinkles on the cookies and then eating the green stuff. Julian was very happy when he got home to find the cookies. The babies weren't as fond of them with the icing on them.

While Chris was out of town, I decided to brave the mall and people to take the kids to see Santa. They all did great and sat with santa with no crying this year. The twins both look a little stunned and don't quite know what to think but they sat and told santa what they wanted. julian was so happy that he was finally able to see Santa and give him his list. (He likes to go right to the source.) Santa takes his list straight to the North Pole. He was getting worried that Santa wasn't going to have enough time to make his toys.

Now we are officially ready for Santa to come. We have a couple more days, I have to work and then my parents and brother arc coming to see what Santa brings the kids for Christmas morning. (We are missing Aunt Jess this year, but will see her shortly after).

Merry Christmas to All and to All a good Night!