Christmas

We had a lot of activity this Christmas, with my two brothers and their families in town, and Brian's sister and her family in town. The kids got to spend lots of time with all of their cousins, whom they only get to see once or twice a year.

Here's Mary on Christmas morning at our house, with her new kitchen toy, and wearing her new nightgown (she gets really excited about nightgowns!):

And Jacob with his new "Darda" race track (the grown-ups agree that it's super-cool):

After opening gifts and breakfast, we headed down to my parents house for the rest of Christmas day. Thanks to Dave/Christina and Jon/Meg for taking all of these pictures!! Here's Hannah checking out cousin Zoe, who's checking out Hannah's new Rody:

Princess Mary and Princess Ella: Princess Mary taking a break on Rody, while eating yogurt raisins:

This scene is called "how many babies can we fit into grandma's living room?!" This Christmas, the kids were ages 6, almost 4, almost 3, 14 months, 11 months, and 8 months (Jacob is the oldest). There was a lot of chaos (and diaper-changing).

Mary and Ella spelling in the kitchen:Not quite, Mary...

Now they've got it!

Jacob studying one of his gifts:
Hannah with a new fleece shirt:
Dave playing the "Tea Party Game" with the big kids:

Mary snuggling with Christina:

Friday we spent the day with Brian's family at his mom's house. Somehow we didn't take very many pictures, but here's one of Brian's sister Lori with Hannah:

Saturday was back at my mom's house with lots of extended family. Here's Mary enjoying an up-close look at the piano:

Miraculously we got a pretty decent picture of all 6 kids: Mary, Hannah, Jacob, Solomon, Zoe, Ella.

Tuesday Lori brought Ben and Sarah to our house for some play time. Here's Sarah and Mary studying a snow globe very intently:

On New Year's Day we got to spend some time with college friends and their kids. Here's Jacob showing off for the girls:

"Wow, Jacob, you did it!!"

Finally the kids are getting some down-time at home (just in time for Jacob to go back to school!). Here are Mary and Hannah cooking up some grub in the kitchen:

Hannah, you better wash up those dishes!

We had a great time with all of our families, but we're looking forward to getting back to normal. Unfortunately, Brian and I have been sick for the last couple of weeks, and I think lack of rest is partly to blame, so we're going to try to take it easy and get better!