Merry Little Christmas

We had a nice little Christmas at home this year.  We went to church Christmas Eve and then made cinnamon rolls.  On Christmas morning, we opened our stockings and then played games, read, and relaxed the rest of the day.  

Sam was sad for William that he didn't have a stocking this year.  He made him one out of Drew's old sock.  

Christmas Eve.

Christmas morning.

Christmas dinner.

Moser Christmas

We had a nice weekend with Drew's family this past weekend.  I forgot my camera so thank you to Travis for the gift opening memories.  

 I love this photo of the boys.

Sam has been wanting a stuffed snake since his friend Keagan brought one to show and tell a year ago.  This kid loves gifts.  It has to be his love language.  He crawled into bed with me a little before 6am on Saturday and whispered, "It's Christmas."

 The adorable eight.

 I got a quick Starbucks visit in with Tai and baby Cecil.  Will and C are exactly a month apart.

On Sunday after church, we went duck pin bowling.  I had never heard of it before.  The pins are shorter and you use a small ball.   No bowling shoes required.  The kids had fun with it.

The older three got Razor scooters for Christmas.  Stella already has a scooter but refused to pose in this photo with the other kids because her scooter is different.  Thankfully, we had a warm, sunny day this week and it felt so good to go for a walk.

Before Christmas

Kids finished school last Friday.  Prior to that it was just Will and Stella and I hanging out....day in and day out.  Stella has handled big sisterhood like a champ.  She adores William and when I am occupied with him (he's a bit of a fussy pants), she happily plays on her own.  Praise. the. Lord.

Our annual "Supergroup kids" acting out of the nativity broke up the monotony of our days at home.  Sam really wanted to be King "Harriet" this year.  Stella was an angel.  Isa was Mary.  Benjamin was a shepherd.  William was baby Jesus....obviously.

My dear friend, Whitney, flew up from Atlanta to surprise me and meet William.  It was a short weekend visit but so, so good for my soul to sit and talk with her.  Her family's absence in Upland has been difficult for us.

Bath

He didn't hate his first bath.  First of my babes that didn't cry through it if I remember right.  

Will hearts Upland

Thanks to Rachel Aupperle for these sweet photos of baby Will.

Waiting on Will

While we waited for the arrival of baby... 

my Christmas cactus bloomed.  I love this little plant!

 Stella and I compared belly sizes

we spent lots of time hanging out with Grandma Pam.

 we enjoyed our last moments with this girl as our baby.

 we drew pictures, lots and lots of pictures.  (Sam--1st grade)

we got haircuts.  This is my favorite picture from our day in Ohio.

 Stella put lambie in a boat.

Sam got sick with a fever and nasty cold the day before my due date.  I was thankful Will did not decide to come that night because Sam would have been devastated to be banned from a hospital visit.

Benjamin made notes in his school calendar about the baby's due date which made me smile when I saw it.  

My mom started to go stir crazy the day after the due date and offered to help us decorate for Christmas.

 Sam gathered all the nativity around Jesus as close as he could get them.  Come let us adore him...

 we snuggled and watched movies.

 we drew some more.  (Stella, self portrait, 4 yrs old)