HO HO HO Merry Christmas!

For weeks Xander has been trying to disguise his voice and say "HO HO  HO Merry Christmas" and then say "did you hear that it was Santa".  He would do this at home , in the car, in the store, just about everywhere. It's been pretty funny. 

Santa came for a visit tonight and all the kids were up stairs getting ready for bed. Santa came into the house yelling "HO HO HO Merry Christmas". Xander ran to the stairs with a look of, holy crap that's really Santa. It was pretty funny. Kieron ran to Santa telling him Merry Christmas and giving him a hug. After Santa left all the kids was so excited that it took them a little bit longer to calm down and go to bed.

Xander's Preschool Performance

Xander and all the other kids at preschool have been practicing all kinds of songs from preschool to Christmas songs. Today they performed at a retirement home and did a great job. All the moms thought the only one singing would be their teacher. Every kid was singing, to our surprise. 

South Hills Lights

We had a great time at the South Hills Lights this year. I love lights, they make Christmas for me. I love to drive around different neighborhoods and see everyone's lights. Sam says one day I'll have the house that everyone will drive by at Christmas time. I keep adding more and more each year. My kids feel the same way about lights. They look forward to seeing lights every year. 

It was a cold night but definitely worth the frozen toes. Lilya slept the whole time. I think she was so snug and warm as a pink marshmallow, she slept.

Okay, I love my phone and I'm finding new things it can do all the time. I didn't know it could capture the twinkling of the lights in a picture, until I uploaded this picture. I just took a normal picture, I thought. So cool!

Kieron's 2nd Birthday

I can't believe this sweet little baby turned 2. I think back to that crazy week he was born, the excitement, the stress, the tears, and the joy. We were so blessed to have his birthparents choose us to be his family. He has been such a joy to our family. 

He's smile can make the grouchiest person smile. He's full of personality and loves to love. Kieron is the best big brother, always kissing on his sister and giving Lilya her binkie. He loves Mickey Mouse, cars, and riding his bike. He likes everyone that he meets, but is drawn to men. He loves to be ruff and wrestle, but at the same time he'll snuggle anyone that is welling to let him. 

Right after Kieron woke up in the morning we all started to tell him Happy Birthday. He got a little confused and started to tell everyone else happy birthday. This is how our conversations would go...

Me-Happy Birtday Kieron

K-Happy Birthday Mommy

Me- No it's your birthday buddy

K-Happy Birthday Daddy

Me-No, you

K- Happy Birthday Kaka(Janika)

and so on till he would go though the whole family. This would happen every time we would wish him happy birthday.

 

Seeing as how Kieron LOVES Mickey Mouse that was the theme of his birthday, with a Mickey cake, Mickey clothes, and Mickey toys. 

Happy Birthday Kieron Christopher-Clarke!

Mommy and Daddy love you.

Your Sam and Chris love you, too

And the Christmas Season Begins

Every year we do something with gingerbread. Some years we build houses and others men. This year we did gingerbread men. The kids love to make these at the beginning of December so that we can mix them in the other Christmas decorations. 

Most years I end up doing most of the work, but not this year. Janika and Kylie were able to do everything them selves. All I had to do for the boys was put frosting on and they did the rest.

The kids thought it would be silly to take a picture as they pretended to eat their man. Xander didn't get that meno, silly boy.

2 Months and Smiling

Lilya is 2 months old and full of smiles. She now weighs 14lbs and in 3-6 month clothes. She's a big girl with tons of rolls, she's so cute.

Besides turning 2 months, Lilya also got her ears pierced today.

Thanksgiving in Reno

We usually alterate thanksgiving with Sam's mom and my parents, this year it was at my parents. However after getting Lilya and not wanting to travel with a new born, we decided to stay home.

Soon after making this decision, we found out that my 82 year old grandma, that lives with my parents, health was failing. She had been put on hospice care and they weren't sure how much longer we had with her. So we headed to Reno. Grandma Wodskow got to meet Lilya

Lilya also got to met her Papa and Grandma Angus

We got to see 2 of my 3 brothers and had great times telling stories and hanging out. My mom, sister-in-law Cassie, and I continued our tradition of after thanksgiving shopping. We had great time with all of the other crazies out there, we fit right in.

Kieron and Lilya found their Uncle Zach, ok Zach found them a time or two.