Christmas!!!

 We are still enjoying our Christmas break, and since I have some time to actually sit for a bit, I tried organizing some photos, and I am going to post a bunch now because I'm not sure when I'll get another chance :)
We hosted a little cousin's brunch last weekend. It was really nice. I love seeing our kids play with their cousins.
Not sure how my mom jams everything she does into her life, but I hope I can learn from her and do the same without feeling like a total stress ball (which is unfortunately how I feel when I have more then 3 things on my plate to accomplish). Every year I try to work on that as a new year's resolution- doesn't always work out so well. oh well.
Anyway...Christmas has been so fun. Nora and Teddy have been extremely excited about the holiday. We love watching them share in their excitement. Just so sweet.

 Why is it so very difficult for me to get a picture of both children looking at the same time? How do you other parents do it???
Their Christmas outfits can double for ski outfits in February. :)

 Whoop! Their "it" is! 20 weeks with baby number...

 3! 

 My buddy!

 Nora, Teddy, and baby Alex (my sister's little guy).

 Teddy loved the train track that was set up at my aunt and uncle's house.

 and, Nora was introduced to video games-super.

 Super excited to see Santa come down the stairs!

 Alex's first visit with Santa

 Nora could hardly contain her excitement. She helped hand presents to Santa along with a few of her other cousins.

 Teddy enjoyed Santa as well, but preferred to visit him from afar. He wasn't too sure about lingering on his lap for too long.

 This happened about 20 min. after Santa left.

 We had a great time on Christmas morning. Both kiddos slept till about 8:00 and were thrilled to see some exciting toys in the morning.  Watching their excitement is just the best. They have been sharing really well and thoroughly enjoying themselves.

 Teddy has been telling EVERYONE one thing he has been interested in all season- DRUMS!  Our little drummer boy has been very happy today! He is into music and superman which we find hysterical. He is definitely a kiddo that knows what he wants.

Nora, on the other hand, really hasn't said anything specific about a special gift she is interested in. However, she is very happy with all the wonderful presents and received "Rebecca" from my parents. She told my mom "Nana, I think we should keep Rebecca at your house because you know, some of my other dolls at home can be a little-bossy".  

All day today she did not bring Rebecca upstairs because she doesn't want her bear to meet her.

TJ took the kiddos outside today to play in the snow. They had a blast! I attempted to straighten up a little bit. 

 Teddy could hardly move after being bundled up. He came inside, and fell on the floor with no interest in getting up. :)

 Nora thought it was quite funny.
The day after Christmas might just be one of my favorite days of the year. Everyone but TJ stayed in our P.J/.'s all day. Not sure when the last time I did that was. The kids had their pj's on under their snowsuits.  They played and played and played. Fun, lazy day.

 Nora was a one of the Three Kings in her school play this year. I was so impressed that all these little 4 year old children could remember the words to so many songs.

 

If only, little Luca and the rest of the LaDuca gang could be with us-we would be all set. 

Holiday's 2013

 Not so sure where this year has gone. I feel super busy and cannot believe that 2013 is almost coming to an end. My plan was to be really prepared and have Christmas cards mailed out the first week of December since we moved and I wanted people to have our new address. Well, that was a TOTAL bust. We tried and tried to get a cute pic of the kids together-didn't work so well.
We haven't done too many exciting things lately, but have had something every weekend so life just feels busy.
The kids are having fun. They really love playing at home lately. Once we get to wherever we are going, they are both happy, but prior to leaving, Nora will state how she doesn't want to go and Teddy just repeats what she says.
Lately Nora has been saying the same thing about school. Some days it concerns me, but when we get to school-she runs in and hugs her friends. I wish I could just follow them around everywhere so I can see what happens and then protect them. :)

 Teddy has grown up so very much. He talks and talks and talks. He uses full sentences and cracks us up. The other morning, he woke up and said "What's cookin'?", My favorite is when he says..."I love you so much", or when I have pj's on and he says "you look bootiful mom". Ha. He's my boy!
He really enjoys books and LOVES puzzles. He also loves superman. I have no idea why, but just loves him. He pretends he can fly too.

 Nora adores Bailey. Thank God for her sweet soul. I get quite irritated at this dog, but Nora comes to her rescue. Bailey has decided that peeing in the house is something she enjoys and we recently even had to throw away a carpet due to her new talent. grrrr.

 Nora and Teddy praying. Not sure why, but is one starts, the other will follow.

 Here are a few pictures from Thanksgiving. This little nephew of ours is such a doll. He is the most chill baby and such a lover. Nora and Teddy love baby Alex. At night, when Teddy says his prayers, he will always say "God Bless Aunt Mel Mel and Baby Alice" Not sure Alex will like being called Alice in the future.

 Nora thought she was big stuff sitting at the kid table on Thanksgiving without mom or dad near by.

 Teddy loves all the Christmas decorations. He especially enjoys the musical toys.  This boy LOVES music and "making noise" as he tells me. When we ask him what he would like for Christmas, he says "drums" and "whistle". Our neighbor used to be in a band and has a drum set. He has let Teddy play on it and the Teddy cannot get enough!
Nora, on the other hand, has not told us one thing she is very interested in when asked about something for Christmas.

 Another attempt at a Christmas card photo-photo bombed by bitty baby.

Early last week we made some Christmas cookies and the kiddos loved decorating them. However, the following week we all came down with the flu. It was pretty awful. Teddy first, then Nora, then me, then TJ. Hopefully, we are good for Christmas now with the flu behind us.