Simply having a Wonderful Christmas Time

Christmas is supposed to be fun and exciting for kids right? Well let me just say that I think Matt and I were more excited to wake up on Christmas morning than the kids! We didn't get a lot of "stuff," but just a few neat things. A little table and chairs set, some play food and pots and pans, and some stocking stuffers. The table was a hit. The twins sat it in for at least an hour, and just played with their new food and pot and pans. Matt and I just sat back and relaxed. We video taped them opening presents, but didn't take any pictures. What in the world was I thinking? I never forget to take pictures!

After the twin's first nap (which they tried to skip), we left for Grandma and Grandpa A's. The twins opened presents when they got there. They got some neat things, including a ball popper, and a shopping cart. Jack like to stick his head over the hole where the air comes out, while Sophie presses the button to start the popping. Too funny! Uncle Rick and Kim were there also, and the twins had fun playing with them. Jack was especially fond of Kim. Rick got them some books, which my kids adore, alphabet blocks and a multicultural cd. Here a few pictures from the day. After that, Sophie gorged herself on food, mostly mashed potatoes, her favorite. She is becoming such a little piggy! I love it! Jack ate a little food, but really just wanted to play with his asparagus.




Next, we drove the hour to my parent's house in the car while the twins slept. We got there, and started opening presents again. I think the twins started to get the hang of opening things by this point, but they were just really very excited about the gifts inside! The kids got some really great things from Grandma and Grandpa P including a kitchen (No, I know for a fact my parents didn't pay that much!) and a water table. The twins also got stuffed animals and DVDs from Uncle Matt and Nikki, which Jack carried around all day, and books from Aunt Laurie. The twins ate on the go at my parent's house, and had ham, red beet eggs, veggies, cheese, and clementines. Oh yeah, and the occasional m&m that Grandpa P snuck them! HA! After dinner we set up the water table, and the twins covered themselves in water. Here a few pictures of this part of the day.




We left at bedtime, and let the kids play a little when we got home. Then we put the kids to bed. We sang a few songs like "Silent Night," "Jesus Loves Me," and "Happy Birthday" to Jesus of course! I talked with the kids about the true reasons for the holidays, and I know that even though they don't know everything that I am saying, that they are still understanding some of the things I tell them about God. Next year we are going to do a lot more things in this area, and I can't wait! I have ideas already! When the twins were all tucked in, Matt and I worked on constructing the play kitchen. Two hours later, and lots of sore muscles from Matt, we had a kitchen. I will say that Matt was extremely patient, even when I didn't help him in the best way! The kids got up today, and ransacked the house playing with each and every one of their new toys.


I would say that the kids were spoiled, but I then I would have to admit that Matt and I are too! But the very best part of the day was spending time with each other, and with our families. The twins have lots of "stuff," but they are mostly spoiled with love. It is very nice to see just how loved these two little peanuts are! Merry Christmas, and I hope your day was wonderful also! We are off to Buffalo for a few day to visit the Anderson and Keller Clans. Wish us luck, and two pleasant babies!

Silent Night...

Merry Christmas!!!

I've Been Tagged

Alicia Anderson tagged me with a few questions about Matt and I. so here goes. Maybe one day the kids can read this! ;)

1.How long have you been together? November 26, 2001, so seven years.

2.How long did we date? About 2 1/2 years

3. How old is he? Matt will be 27 in two weeks! Happy B-day!

4. Who eats more? Matt. But I have been known to eat more when it comes to things like ice cream or brownies.

5. Who said, "I love you," first? Matt. I remember EVERY detail to this day. It was the day before Valentine's Day.

6. Who is taller? Matt, I am a shorty.

7. Who does the laundry? Me. Laundry is my favorite chore.

8. Who does the dishes? Me.

9. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me. And no Matt, I am not giving it up. You picked your side when we got married, and that night made it final. ;)

10. Who pays the bills? I physically pay the bills, but without Matt and his million and one jobs they wouldn't get paid.

11. Who mows the lawn? Ahhh...the lawn. The tennent downstairs used to do it. Then Matt's dad did it for a little bit. Thank God it is winter, although Matt was thinking about paying a nice boy who lived down the street. ;)

12. Who cooks dinner? I do. I'm not sure Matt knows how to use the microwave! HAHA!

13. Who is more stubborn? That could go either way

14. Who kissed who first? Matt kissed me. I was very shy. Should I admit that I remember EVERY detail of that kiss too?

15. Who asked who out? Matt asked me to a Saves the Day Concert.

16. Who proposed? Matt, although I bugged him like crazy until he did it.

17. Who is more sensitive? Me. I am overly sensitive.

18. Who has more siblings? We have the same number. And our older and younger siblings are the same ages.

19. What were you doing ten years ago? I was in high school. Playing soccer, running, being a typical high schooler. Wonder what Matt was up to at his high school?

20. Five things on my to-do list: get ready for our Buffalo trip, finish Christmas presents for the Grandparents, get my hair cut, finish the laundry, pay some bills.

21.Things I would do if I was suddenly made a billionaire. Too funny! Matt should answer this one, because I am sure he has a detailed plan. Like down to the penny. ;) I have some places in mind that I would love to donate lots of money to!

22. Three of my bad habits: biting my finger nails, eating too many sweets, being anxious.

23. Five places I have lived: Birdsboro, PA; Shippensburg, PA; Harrisburg, PA; West York, PA; Wrightsville, PA. All in PA...I'm a homebody.

24. Five jobs I have had: Washing hair at a hair salon(ICK!), Working in an office with my mom, waitressing at Bob Evans...the tips were horrible!, Being a substitute teacher...too much stress!, Working as a preschool teacher. I loved it!

25. Things people don't know about me: When I was younger, my brother and sister said I sang like a dying cow. I have the nickname "Amy Bean Head" and other variations because I had to go to the hospital when I was little for sticking beans up my nose. Yeah, I was a wierd kid!

Don't we look young?

I tag Heather.

Snowy Day

We got an inch or two of snow the other day, and when Matt got home, we decided to take the kids outside to play. Who in the world came up with the idea for snow suits? My kids were just like the kids from "A Christmas Story." Jack refused to walk anywhere, and Sophie just sat on the ground. She took her glove off, and then got mad when her hand got wet. Matt put it back on, and then she was mad it was on again! We were lucky if we made it fifteen minutes outside, but it was fun (for Matt and I!), and long enough to snap a few pictures.

Tie-dye

When the twins were born, Uncle Rick bought them tie-dye shirts. If you look back at the blog, you can see pictures of them in their tiny little tie-dye shirts here. Here is a picture of the twins with their Uncle Rick this past weekend. My have they changed!

O Christmas Tree

We put the Christmas Tree up yesterday, with the lights and some garland. The kids were excited. Last night, after they went to bed, Matt and I put up ornanments. We decided not to risk the beautiful ornments that we have collected over five Christmases, and to put up unbreakable bulbs instead. I guess I should mention that (of course!) Jack found a way to break them! This morning when they woke up, we turned on the lights, and they were thrilled. Of course Jack has tried to take all the ornaments off of the tree several times, but their reaction was priceless. Now it feels a little more like Christmas around here.

Using Silverware

If there is one thing you should know about me, it's that I don't do mess. I HATE things like paint, or sloppy foods, and smeary, messy things that take forever to clean up. But, I realize this is a fact of life when you have kids. It is time to grin and bear it, and to let the kids start to use silverware. They probably should have been doing it for a long time now, but we tend to go with whats easiest in our house, due to the fact that we have twins. I started giving the kids silverwear a few weeks ago. Just forks to start. They did really well. We decided to move onto yogurt and spoons. Ugh, mess city. But the LOVED it. So I turned my back, and just listened to them having a good time. Then I asked Matt to clean it up this time. Did I mention how much I love him? HAHA! Here are the little munchkins covered in yogurt. Did any of it get in their mouths? I'm not sure.

First Drawings

We bought Wonder Markers for the twins, and the paper that goes with them. We gave them the markers and paper one night before dinner, and this is what they came up with. No, Sophie did not draw the face on the paper. That was Daddy, silly guy! It was fun, and I think I will try to work more artwork into our days. Jack's drawing is blue, and Sophie's is purple and pink.

Turkey Day

Last Thursday we drove up to my Aunt Angie's for the Perini Family Thanksgiving. Yum! We all ate like crazy and had a good time. The kids loved the food, but they couldn't get enough of their Great Uncle Dick's mashed potatoes. They have chedder cheese and french onion dip in them. They are pretty good if I do say so myself. The kids had the most fun chasing The Lesher's cat around, and barking at it. Yes, they said, "Woof, Woof" to the cat. That night we stayed at Aunt Marcy's house, and the kids did fabulous, and Matt and I got to rest too. The kids chased around the Perini Family cat also, and by the second day, Jack was saying, "kitty." We had a great couple of days, and lots of good food and family. We have so much to be thankful for. Our family, near and far, our health, Matt's secure job, and tons more things. It is so easy to see how much God has blessed us, and we are so thankful for this.

Yum! The twins enjoying dinner.

Grandma helping to feed the kids.

After dinner walk. The kids wanted to be outside the whole day. Matt took Jack sledding after the walk.

Jack wouldn't sit still for a picture, so there is only one of Sophie. What a cutie!

Family Portrait. Matt says I look "frazzled". But I think that's most days!

Sophie Walked!

Sophie decided it was finally time to try to take a few steps on her own. She has been standing independently for a few days now, and taking one small step between things. Today, I helped her stand in front of me, and then she walked to me. When Matt came home, she took four whole steps between us! I was cheering her on, and clapping. You wold think she would be thrilled. Not Sophie! She looked at me like, "Of course I can do it. It's really not that big of a deal." She is too funny. I'm guessing that it will be another couple of weeks until she is really independently walking, but we are getting there! YAY!