Birthday Playdate

The birthday boy is VERY excited for his friends to come over and play today! "When are they coming, Mommy?" he asks me all morning.

Tyler, Ryan, Charlie and Andrew have some action packed fun at the Bat house.

Ry's friends gather round the birthday boy...and his presents!

Cooper, Andrew, Ryan, Tyler and Charlie

(Where are Nicolas and Jake? I'm firing the photographer!)

Jake and Jack check out the birthday loot.

What more could a birthday boy ask for?!

(Jeff built a HUGE GeoTrax set on our dining room table for the boys to play with--I am not sure how we didn't get a photo of this. Maybe next time!)

Red Robin Celebration

The birthday boy "lights up" when he sees his birthday cake!

...and gets to open a few presents!

Hello down there!

Aunt Amy helps Julia control the static with some hairspray.

..and more lipgloss, of course!

Grandma loves on the birthday boy.

Mom & Me

LOVING that Jeff has some time off for the holidays and is experiencing "vacation" with us. Today we headed to the Y for some time with our Mom & Me group...lucky for Jeff, Josh was off today too and joined in the fun.

Julia shows off her balancing act.

And sweet Tyler helps her dismount from the high beam. =)

Craziest Walmart Trip - Ever.

We started off the day visiting our pediatrician to learn Julia has another ear infection.

Yippee.

Not.

Then, we headed to Walmart to buy some things for Ryan's birthday party and pick up a prescription. While we were waiting for the prescription to be filled, a fight broke out. Two ladies arrested and one taken away in an ambulance.

Seriously.

What is wrong with people?

At least that chaos was louder than my children screaming!

I snapped this shot as we were leaving the parking lot.

There are two women being cuffed. I think you can just see one in the pic.

On the bright side, Ryan took it very seriously that "The police were taking the ladies away because they were not being nice and fighting."

Wonder how this will impact him in treating his sister.

One can only hope...

Christmas with Chicago Crew

Da'boyz...and our Jugibug.

Julia helps with the gingerbread competition.

Missy (THANK YOU!) takes Ry out to play in the snow.

It's not Christmas without a Snuggie, right?

Girlfriends

I have some AWESOME longtime girlfriends.

One great thing about the holidays is we make a point to all get together!

Above: Amanda, Laura and Katie

Amanda, Laura and I nearly finish off the pine nut dip before the party even starts--oops! Calories don't count with friends, right?!

Emily, Kristin and I share a good laugh.

Thanks for hosting us in your beautiful new house, Emily!

Christmas Evening

Merry Christmas!

JBusch Wrapping Paper Collection Inc.

You better watch out, you better not pout, I'm telling you so...

Now HE has the Christmas spirit!

Who needs glasses when you have a pretzel?

We've added 5 in 5 years!

Ry wanted his pic with Aunt Amy. Check!

Mat, Granny Re and Amy.

And the award for giving the kids the LOUDEST toy...goes to Uncle Mat with an upright piano!

WHAT was this?!?

Our JugiBug takes flight!

And beautifully lands.

Ohhh..faux pas! Caught on film sharing secrets! Lucas, keep your mouth shut! =)

Christmas Afternoon

Christmas afternoon after we'd opened all our gifts as a family, my parents stopped by for some more Christmas fun.

We had races in the basement on our wiggle racers.

It's a close race between Ry and Glammie. I'm not in the photo because I was so far in the lead. =)

Julia and Glammie round the corner...it's a close race!

Christmas lovin' and more presents!

Chrismas Morn

My favorite part = seeing the kids excited faces + the fact they slept in til 11somethingam!

More GeoTrax! Right on, Santa!

More Thomas...this time with microchips!

And for Julia: Princesses, makeup, Loving Family house accessories, and more princess stuff!

Merry Christmas! Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!

Christmas Eve Fun

Happy Christmas Eve!

Cheers with Jim's home-brewed beer in chocolate flavor.

Uncle Patrick cuddles up with Ry.

Are we having fun yet?

We are! It's not a party til your hair is curled!

Dear Ryan, I'm asking in advance, for your forgiveness for posting this sweet photo of you and your sister dressing up as Princess Aurora and Cinderella.

Aunt Stacy helps an overwhelmed princess Julia into her many costume changes for the evening.

Snow White!

Telestrations evokes some great laughter!

Yippee! It's a Batman 'copter!

Bippety, Boppety, Boo!