Rudolph

The other day while we were out getting groceries, Ella asked if we could get some extra paper bags. She told me she wanted to do a craft with her sisters. So, we picked up a few paper bags and while I was making lunch, Ella cut out the parts for her sisters to make Rudolph puppets. She even traced her hands and used them as antlers. I think she is officially more crafty than I am.

Advent

On Monday we started our Jesse Tree. This year we have a new book to go along with our Jesse Tree. We love the Jesse Advent Tree and this is our 4th year of doing this activity together. The readings start at Creation and lead to Jesus' birth. There is an ornament that goes with each reading and an activity to do together. We are all learning new things about Jesus every day.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

The other morning I surprised the girls with a felt Christmas tree and snowman in their playroom. They love taking the ornaments off the tree and redecorating it. 

Juliette was so excited when she woke up and saw the tree. She came sprinting into our room and said "Mom, Mom, there's a Christmas tree and snowman out there.

On Friday we added to the scene, making a felt sky, another snowman, and another tree.

On Saturday we decorated our house for Christmas. The girls were very excited to wake up and see snow on the ground. 

I love the smile on Karis' face as she looks out at the snow.

And with each year, the joke of putting on the stockings is just as funny as it was the year before.

"Look at the snow globe Peter". The girls were especially excited to show Peter all of our Christmas decorations. They kept saying "this is your very first Christmas Pete."

Baby even got a ride in the sleigh.

We also dog-sat our landlord's chocolate lab, Shadow. We love Shadow. I would love to have a dog but don't feel like I could care for one very well right now, so we are so thankful to have Shadow to play with.

Before church on Sunday morning we decided to take some pictures by our felt tree.

The girls even took a picture of us - they are still working on holding the camera still :)

Peter in his Sunday best.

And last week our dear friend Miriam took the girls' to the dollar store to fill up some shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. This was such a meaningful activity for us, thank-you Ms. Moo!

Last week Moriah came for a visit at our house. She loves to help Karis and Karis loves to be helped by Moriah. Moriah was very kind and shared her baby Emma with Karis.

Lately...

My two boys :)

Juliette and Karis love to play dress-up while I do some one on one teaching with Ella

Last Friday we made our own board game. It was really fun and it is a great way for us to practice our math skills! 

At his 2 month appointment, Peter weighed in at 13 lbs 14 oz. He is in the 95th percentile for weight. He is a healthy and happy little boy. He bring us so much joy.

I love the above picture. You can see the side of Karis' face peeking into the bassinet and Peter is smiling up at her.

Peter has discovered the mirror on his bassinet and loves to grab ahold of it.

Karis has dropped her nap and is now doing rest and read instead. Except of course when she needs to nurse her baby :)

Peter has some great tummy time coaches. They are so proud of him.

The Wheels on the Bus

Lately Ella and Juliette have been playing board games during their quiet time. The other day I snuck up on them and got some video. I love it when Juliette doesn't get the roll she was hoping for and says "shucks". And I love at the end of the video when Ella help Juju read her card and they sing together.

Board games do not always get played this harmoniously around here. The other week all 3 girls were playing Candyland. That game ended with Karis running down the hallway, board in hand, and Ella and Juju chasing after her yelling "she's running away with the board again." I wish I had the video of that one, it was pretty funny.

Smiley Pete

Peter turned 2 months last Saturday. He is a very smiley baby. He has also started to laugh a little bit.

Ella loves to hold Peter. She is very good with him and has even been able to bounce him to sleep and put him down for a nap. She is so good at holding him that I sometimes leave her with him too long and she comes to me and says "Mom, can you please take him now. My arms are tired and I'd like to go play lego."

And for the past few nights Peter has been doing an amazing job of sleeping. Last night he slept for 8.5 hours. 8.5 hours in a row. And that means that Spencer and I also slept for 8.5 hours in a row - amazing!