This month has been full of Christmas fun. I took the boys to the Oakland House to see Santa, as we do every year. First, we listened to a story and watched a puppet show.
After the puppet show, we visited with Santa!!!
Jack's friend Allison came with us. After sitting on Santa's lap, we went to the kitchen where Mrs. Claus gave all of us (even the mommies) a chocolate chip cookie!
Charlie turned 3 months old that day, so I tried to get a few pictures of him later. He is a much better baby these days. Early on, he was either sleeping, eating, or crying. It was rare for him to be awake and content, unless he was eating. Now, he spends a good amount of time awake and happy.
Brotherly love:
When Patrick woke up from his nap the other day, he and Jack played school. Jack looked at a picture book and asked Patrick to identify each object. It was really cute.
We've been to the Magic House several times recently.
Jack spelled his name with rubber bands. As you can see, he doesn't always write his letters correctly ("J" is backwards).
Colleen joined us on this visit. I got to spend some time with my newest Godson, Ryan.
Jack and Caeleigh played together.
Even Ryan and Charlie got to play at the water table!
Patrick was interested in these pipes.
I tried to get a picture with Patrick and then with Jack in the little hall of mirrors. The pictures didn't turn out well, but I like them anyway.
Jim got to go to the Christmas celebration at Jack's preschool. In the pageant, he was the innkeeper as well as a Wise Man.
Then the kids got to sit on Santa's lap.
We went to Branson for a couple nights. Jim had been there before, but the rest of us hadn't. I didn't take many pictures. It was nice and relaxing during this hectic month. We went to a Cowboy Christmas Show.
Our condo had a big jacuzzi tub that Jack and Patrick bathed in. Jim and I thought it would be fun, but it was really just kind of scary.
On a mild day recently, we met some friends at the playground for some outdoor fun.
A pile-up at the bottom of the slide.
Patrick loves to wear a hat. He will wear it outside, inside, anywhere. He even wants to sleep with one on sometimes. He was wearing this hat the other day and Jim took his picture because he looked like a skater.
We went to the Botanical Gardens with Grandma to see the train exhibit. Jack definitely looks forward to this every year. This train's cars were wrapped like presents.
Patrick is not nearly as obsessed with trains as Jack is, but he still had a good time.
There were lights, fans, and Christmas decorations up high for Charlie to enjoy from the stroller.
Yesterday we met friends at the Whittle Shortline RR. Andrew, Caeleigh and Jack pushed trains around the tracks.
Patrick likes to smile for camera if I show him his picture afterwards.
Charlie hung out on Aunt Colleen's lap. Soon enough he will be at the train tables with his brothers.
An attempted picture of the three boys when we got home:
Charlie does not really like a pacifier. He does, however, like to eat (suck on) his hands.
Last, but certainly not least, the most exciting thing that happened this month is my brother David and his wife Melanie welcomed their daughter Cecilia Grace into the world! Melanie was due on Christmas, but Cecilia came about a week early. She arrived Monday morning (which was still Sunday in the U.S.). She is absolutely beautiful and hopefully we can skype with her soon! After 6 grandsons in a row, my parents were thrilled to have their first granddaughter.
