We had a lovely Christmas, and as of yesterday we're home. Seeing as how someone gets ill every trip (can't forget two Christmases ago when we infected 10 family members with a "memorable" stomach bug), we learned last night that Thomas has pneumonia. He seems to be doing a little better after beginning antibiotics, but he's pretty pitiful.

In random order and without explanation, here's proof of our fun and family-filled several days in VA.

He's 3!

Celebrating Will

Yep, big Will is turning 3! Not quite yet--Monday, actually--but we had an early celebration when my parents, sister, brother in law and nephew were in town this weekend. It was Will's first real "party," since I am convinced no kid younger than three would care about it anyways. Or maybe I'm just depriving my children. (They'll survive.) So we did the whole plastic tablecloth, matchy matchy Cars Movie paper products, streamers, balloons, hats, presents, pizza, cupcakes & ice cream. Being my offspring, he of course licked the icing off three Dewey's cupcakes & neglected the actual cake. The poor child had such a great time that he was left forlorn when the party ended and his guests headed home. So now I need to figure out how to make the real day special too...


He'd already opened several the night before, so here's Will opening the remaining gifts. His favorite part, I'm sure.
Some of the enthralled guests...

Bet you'd never guess these guys were related...

Little bro had a blast too. After all, now that Will has fresh loot, maybe he'll allow access to the old toys.

Check out the pirate cupcake. SO cool.

FOUR G'S

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

December so far

I know, I'm a blog slacker. Since I'm tired and not motivated to write a detailed update, here's my synopsis:

A week of two sick kids, two infected ears, fevers & snot galore. No sleep for days. Self-medicating with diet coke and chocolate. Quite glad time & the pink stuff finally kicked in.

Fun Thanksgiving with friends Annie & Neal in Durham. Hopefully our kids didn't scare them too much, seeing as how their babe will be here soon. (We only broke one bowl, after all. Not too bad.)

A decorated house (nothing says Christmas in the USA like a Walmart-purchased fake tree with colored lights). Endless Christmas tunes. Coats and mittens and hats (finally!). Wrapping paper. Toys R Us. Addressing cards. Nostalgic TV Christmas specials.

Staring at our nativity and remembering. Reading books to Will and remembering. Mary and Joseph. Bethlehem. The census, the stable, the manger, the star, the shepherds, the angels. Jesus! Remembering the birth of our Savior.

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And now I present--Thomas with his big boy haircut:
The shovel doesn't stop this thumb-sucker.

A plastic pool filled with rocks makes a boy very happy.