Merry Christmas!

This our official Christmas e-card of whatever the lazy internet equivalent of actual Christmas cards are . . . sorry, three kids four and under, and there wasn't much of a chance of me getting actual cards out this year . . . but Annie's at preschool, Greg took Ellie to Cabella's and Isaac's down for a nap, so I could swing a quick email and a cute photo attachment :-)

We've had an exciting year, adding our baby boy to the family.  Isaac is loved and smothered by his two big sisters.  Annie and Ellie can't imagine life without a baby to spoil, and we're all loving his sweet, happy personality. 

At five months old now, Isaac is proficient in eating his toes, eating his fingers, eating my cell phone and eating in general.  And he's learning to sit up.  He's HUGE in comparison to our girls -- at his last appointment he was 95th percentile on the charts for height, and I don't know how long we'll be able to keep him 6-9 month clothes!  Being a Mommy to a little boy has been such an amazing and sweet experience, and I can't get over how much I love this kid.

Ellie, at two and a half, is talking up a storm.  We just don't understand half of it.  She has an opinion on everything though, and loves to share it with us.  She could sing and dance and jump and run and play all day.  She's a constant performer, and the child I worry about the most in terms of busted lips and bruised knees.  No broken bones yet, fortunately.  All that energy is wrapped up in a teeny tiny package that can't hide her enormous personality for long!  Isaac's quickly gaining on her, and we wonder how long it will be 'til he's bigger than his tiny big sister. 

Annie is loving being the oldest child.  She loves holding Isaac and putting Ellie in her place.  Poor Ellie with two Mom's telling her what to do all the time!  I think she forgets she's only four and a half, often assuming she's in charge of all things siblings.  Annie loves school, and is having fun in her second year of preschool.  (I still can't believe she'll be in Kindergarten this coming year!!)  She's the mellower of our two girls, and can sit and do puzzles and read books for hours, but never misses an opportunity to sing and dance for an audience.  We took a year off of dance classes, with the new baby and all, but we need to get her back in, since she's always looking for someone to perform for!   She's also quite the social butterfly, and would happily spend all day hanging out with friends and playing with the neighbors.  We couldn't have picked a better place for her to live -- our circle is constantly full of children and friends running up and down the street and riding bikes anytime the weather permits.  Annie loves looking out the front door and being able to find friends effortlessly, or walk just a few houses in a number of directions to get to a playmate's home. 

Greg and I are doing well too.  A little tired with a baby, a two year old who hates to sleep and a four year old who keeps waking up with nightmares now that she's been moved into a top bunk . . . but we're very, very happy.  We can't help but look around and feel so blessed -- we share a wonderful life together, with beautiful children and loving, supportive families who are a huge part of ours and our children's lives.  We're so grateful for the blessings that come from our Savior, at this wonderful Christmas time and all year long.

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!

Love,
Gregory, Hilary, Annie, Ellie and Isaac