Benjamin got some play money from my mom for Christmas. He worked all morning making price tags to put on toys and setting up his store and then opened up for business to Isa and Sam. It was fun to listen to them.
While Drew hung the shelves in my mom's room that he had made her for Christmas, the kids rolled around on the bed, looking and giggling at themselves in the mirror.
Stella loves looking at books already. 
Grandma Pam reading the Christmas story to the kiddos.
Matt and Julie bought this whole gang new, snuggly PJs. They were so excited to have PJs that matched their cousins'. 
I put the most random things in Isa's stocking. Of all her little gifts she liked the pack of post it notes and fun edged scissors the best. She will be perfectly entertained until every last post it note is used up, cut into shreds.
She started filling little cups with paper and giving us all different 'drinks' to try.
This is the first year I finally got around to going through an advent devotional with the kids and lighting candles. I don't think the kids heard a word we said each day because their favorite part was blowing out the candles when we were done with that day's devotional. 
Dressed and ready to go to Grandma Pam's house. 
Charlotte and Sam feed off of each other. They were wild and giggly.
The kids played out in the snow for awhile and came in for some hot chocolate to warm their bellies.
Papa wanted to play twister with the kids. I'm pretty sure I was cashed out in the living room while they played this because I have no memory of it. Drew took the photo.
Isa snuggling under her jean quilt from Grandma Babe.
This is what Stella did for most of the gift giving.
So here is the backstory to all of this: Taylor Library does a Children's Story Hour every year where kids get to hear and participate in telling The Christmas story. We will be celebrating Christmas with Drew's family this weekend so we will miss it this year. Benjamin heard Drew and I talking about it and felt bad that he wouldn't be going this year to which I responded, "We could just act it out as a family." As soon as the words left my mouth, I wanted to take it back. Benjamin gets something in his head and he does not stop talking about and planning for it until it's done. And he gives everything 110 percent. He immediately started talking about everything we would need to pull this off-the props, the costumes, the characters, etc. He quickly got frustrated with Samuel and Isa's lack of enthusiasm for his ideas and my suggestions for something a little less time consuming. When Drew came home, Benjamin was crying and feeling very frustrated. Drew had a talk with him about expectations. He affirmed Benjamin's desire to always do things with excellence. But also told him that he often sets his expectations too high for things like this. Please imagine Benjamin saying this next line with tears pouring down his face, frustration in his voice and using hand motions to emphasize his point. "But daddy! I keep lowering them and lowering them and now I don't have any ideas left." Oh bless his heart. He recovered well and lowered (waaaaay lowered) his expectations of our telling of the Christmas story. We had fun.Act 1 from drewandbekah on Vimeo.
Act 2 from drewandbekah on Vimeo.
Act 3 from drewandbekah on Vimeo.
Act 4 from Pam Rychener on Vimeo.
People remark all of the time how much these two look 'like twins'. Everyone says they look just like me. It doesn't matter how many times I hear that, I think Sam looks so much more like Drew. He may have my nose but the eyes and mouth are all Drew.
When did Eloisa grow up? I looked at this picture and could not get over how old she looks. She found a purse of mine from Guatemala and has been toting it around with her chap stick and stuffed hedgehog in it. The antique hat came from a garage sale that my friend took her to this summer.
A friend of mine bought these little slippers from Ten Thousand Villages for Stella. They were made in Guatemala. So adorable-the slippers and Stella's cankles. (cankle: n. A thick ankle, particularly one that appears to be a continuation of the calf.)
Grandma Babe from drewandbekah on Vimeo.
May 2010
