Family Time

It’s a little too easy for me to focus on the negatives sometimes, such as how much I dislike the dark winters here.  However, I am choosing to focus on the bright side {not that there literally is one} right now.  Lizzie having RSV and needing good rest and lots of warmth, the holidays with family, the kids being off school and Josh taking some time off last week, and lots of things being shut down have all contributed to a lot of family time– at home.  You know me- I am restless and stir crazy, especially with a baby, but I am trying so hard to just soak it in like Sarah.  It’s tempting to pop a lot of movies in, especially since “moomies” are Luke’s fave, but Josh has inspired me by his own example to read more books and play games with the kids.  Once again, I am so, so thankful for a precious baby who does mind me multi-tasking while she nurses.  She’s also the big kids’ biggest fan, of course.  Not that we’re playing games in these pictures, but here are some snapshots of our time together.

Nana is here!

Josh’s mom, Phyllis/Nana, arrived Sunday, after a one-day delay due to mechanical difficulties.  She was able to extend her trip a day, though, so we’re happy it all worked out!  Phyllis was delighted to meet her newest granddaughter, and Lizzie was delighted to share her snuggles!  Plus, we even made sugar cookies for a women’s meeting/cookie exchange I had- good first day!

Lighting Up Aberdeen!

My mom, the kids, and I headed out to see the Christmas lights get turned on in city centre- there are rows of them strung between the two sides of the street and tonight was the night they lit them up, complete with a fairly bizarre parade {including snow plows and random dancing figures, both religious and not at all}.  Sweet Lizzie girl was such a trooper- she rode in my sling and drained a bottle while we were walking!  She is such a good baby!

The pictures are really dark and not great from poor lighting, etc, but here they are:

Early Christmas with Mamama

We celebrated an early Christmas with my mom last weekend.  She brought all of us some really fun gifts- new clothes, shoes, jewelry, games, toys, etc.  It was fun to watch the kids open their gifts and enjoy them so much.  Sweet Lizzie nursed and slept the entire time, but she got a new winter coat and a cozy winter suit, too.  Even Aunt Becky and Uncle Billy sent gifts for the kids, which was such a fun surprise.

Such Fun Cousins!!

I have really enjoyed seeing my two with my niece and nephew.  :)  They are getting along splendidly, and it has been great to see all four cousins latch onto each other, as well as to their grandparents and aunts/uncles.  Such sweet times.  Rebekah and Riley are particularly close-knit and pretty energetic.

I stole these pictures from my mom- this is their backyard time with Uncle Billy.