Just in the nick of time...

Well...we started this gingerbread house about a week and a half ago, and amidst Christmas and toy-playing, we hadn't gotten back to it yet. So, we decided we needed to finish it THIS YEAR (2008), so tonight was the night to do it! The three older kids each got to decorate one side and one gingerbread person, and I helped with the frosting. The kids were wondering when they could eat it, and I was wondering if it might be just a tad bit stale...
HAPPY NEW YEAR'S EVE!!!

Christmas Trains with Grandma and Grandpa Orton

We went to the local arboretum today with my parents and saw an amazing holiday train display. Then we were off for a walk together and dinner at our favorite hamburger place, where Uncle Bill joined us! What a great time--Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

More pics from our Cousin Christmas

Pat and Mary

Tom and Diana

Callie, the photographer

Will, the guitarist

Evan, the snuggler

A Cousin Christmas

Our cousins, Pat and Mary Kennedy, had us over to their beautiful house for our annual Christmas party last night. My mom and dad, our cousins, Tom and Diana, my sisters and brother-in-laws, and their kids all joined in a wonderful night full of yummy food (love those Goody Potatoes, Mary!), good company, beautiful music (thanks for the guitar accompaniment, Patrick!), and special memories made. Love you all!

Some COUSIN CUDDLING, by Annie, Caroline and Callie

Of course, besides the cuddling, there was a little bit of COUSIN CAVORTING going on (by Henry, Will, Callie and Evie)...

And, of course, Evan had to join in (with Seth, Callie and Will)...

And from the youngest cousin (Robbie), a little COUSIN CRAWLING...
(Photographer: Callie Goetz)

And to top it all off, we had a bit of COUSIN CAROLING...

Here they are in action, with the two crazy dancing elves (aka my brother-in-law, Jim and my cousin, Tom)...just click the arrow to play...


...and here's Annie, Will and Caroline in a rousing rendition of "We wish you a merry Christmas" for the grand finale!

Oh, and there was a little COUSIN (AND AUNT) CRYING going on too...my cousin, Mary, gave my mom a "Betsy Wetsy" doll. When she was a child, my mom had lost one just like her. Mary bid on several Betsy Wetsies on Ebay, and was able to get this one for my mom. Of course, this very thoughtful gift set off a fountain of tears!

After Christmas Observations

There are several things that I find amusing about this clip:
1. Yes, my children are in their pajamas with fine cases of bed head. And I took this picture after lunch. Obviously we had a lot of toy-playing to do after Christmas and could not take the time.
2. Caroline's pajama combination was her own fashion styling...I can not take credit.
3. Caroline can do an excellent job of Wii boxing even when not looking.
4. Caroline and Seth are both among the better Wii boxers in the household. (And for those of you that were with us on Christmas Day, I am still bowling champion in this house, despite my husband's best efforts to steal my title. Wait, he says that those were not his best efforts. Hmmm...riiiight, Dave.)

Wii time for Daddy and Evan

Here's Daddy and Evan playing Wii together...Evan likes to hold the wiimote and copy exactly what Dave does...Just click on the arrow to play the clip.

Girl's Night + Bill

I got a call from my sister, Lisa, this morning, and she asked if we could have a little girls' night gathering with my mom. I wish that my sister, Karen, could have come, but we couldn't reach her. Next time! It was such fun...we spent a few hours over some wine and delicious appetizers just talking and sharing funny stories. Then we gave my brother, Bill a call on the chance he could join us, and he did! He was incredibly patient with us, as we were grilling him on many topics. We love you, Bill!

Merry Christmas to all!