Welcome baby Claire!

Aunt Stacie and Claire Elizabeth

Lily stretching to play the piano

Swinging at Mimi and Grandad's house
Collin playing in the dirt

Riding the carousel with the kids

Aunt Stacie, Uncle Craig and Lauren welcomed their newest addition to the family on Tuesday, January 19th.  Her name is Claire Elizabeth and she weighed in at 7 lbs.10 oz.  We went to see them over the weekend and she was just as happy and passive as could be.  Collin was skeptical at first until we explained several times that the baby was not ours and would not live at our house.  He was very excited to meet baby Claire once he was reassured she would not be coming home with us : )

A White Christmas

Christmas Eve...watching the snow fall.

Lily is standing on a stool so she can see too.

Watching the snow with Daddy

Christmas morning - Lily loves her new lamb rug.

Santa left candy canes in Collin's stocking.  That was on his "Santa" list
Collin opening his transformer that Santa brought.  

Lily playing her baby grand piano - she loves it!

Sweet hugs!

Todd serenading the kids.
Snow!!  LIke I said, Lily was not loving it.




Lily playing with her new dog.  It barks and wags it's tail.  

Collin and Lauren opening their gifts at Mimi and Grandad's house.
Collin and Uncle Charlie.
Lily and Aunt Jenny.
Lily playing with her new dollhouse Nana and Papa gave her.  She adores this thing!
Aww...Julie and Brent.
Nana and Collin.
Papa reading to Collin.
Aunt Jenny and Lily.
Me and my bugs : )

I know it's been a while since I've posted any updates.  We got caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holidays and I am just now getting back to a schedule.  We had a great Christmas this year!  It is so much fun to see the innocence through our kids eyes as they take in all of the sights and sounds of Christmas.  Collin had a couple of "Happy Birthday Jesus Parties."  It's so neat to see him celebrate the birth of Christ and the true meaning of Christmas.  He is learning so much and asks more and more questions each day.  I am already looking forward to next Christmas when he can understand even more.  

The kids had a blast on Christmas morning.  Lily was a little overwhelmed with it all and would have been happy with just a box; Although, she loved her new piano.  Collin's eyes lit up when he opened his new transformer that Santa brought him.  After we opened presents we went outside to enjoy the beautiful snow.  Collin loved playing in it and didn't want to come in.  Lily, on the other hand, was not sure about it and didn't like to touch it with her hands.  We went to Mimi and Grandad's house later that evening to celebrate Christmas with them (Mimi, Grandad, Aunt Stacie, Uncle Craig, Lauren, Aunt Jenny and Uncle Charlie).  The kids opened more gifts over there.  We were SO exhausted by the time we got home from all of the excitement of everything.  The next day, Nana and Papa, Aunt Julie, Uncle Brent, Chase and Maygan came to visit.  By this time, I think the kids thought that the gift giving was going to be a daily tradition.  We loved spending time with everyone and as always, it's never long enough.