Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve we had family and friends join us for a yummy dinner, nativity, and a surprise bag of gifts from Santa. (I didn't take many pictures but I'll post my sisters' later.)

Can you tell these two are cousins!? Love the RED!

Christmas Morning

Jacob and Tess bursting with excitement to see if Santa Came?!
(of course after drinking our glass of juice--a Breinholt/now Barnhurst tradition)

Jacob and Tess found a bike waiting for them under the Christmas tree!

Tess adoring her new "cuddle and coo" baby doll!

Jake and Aunt Liz with their Nerf Guns!

Another great present for the kids from Santa

Okay, I have to explain a bit about the "Breinholt Culture" as Dan calls it. Our Christmas morning lasts all day thanks to endless yarn leading to presents and treasure hunts galore. But this year was a first...Dan's yarn led him to a treasure hunt! He had to sing songs for us filling in the missing lyrics at the end which led to another clue. Dan ended up finding a present with Lizzie's name on it....actually it was an iPOD for Dan.

This year everyone had yarn to follow and treasure to find (even Jake and Tess, which they loved!!) My 12 clue hunt (thanks Dan!) led me outside, across the street, and into the garage of our friends to find (drum roll please).....a TREADMILL! Yipee! Aimee, Grandma, and Liz had to show off their talents in order to get some of their presents. ( Don't worry you three, I won't include the video of you sining and doing the "can-can":)

We had a fabulous Christmas and are so thankful for Grandma Barnhurst, Aunt Lizzie, and Aunt Aimee! We hope you come again next year!!!

Sisters Downtown D.C.

My fabulous mother-in-law kept our kids for a day so that Dan, Aimee, Lizzie, and I could enjoy a bitterly cold day downtown D.C. This is the first time Dan and I have been able to enjoy D.C. without the kiddos. We braved the wind and walked the Mall stopping for every memorial and monument. Despite our frozen faces we smiled the whole way, we had a great time!

The Holocaust Museum

WWII Memorial

Lincoln Monument

Christmas Party

Tess gave Santa two giant bear hugs..."Ahhh" !!

Jacob, very seriously, asked Santa for a sucker!

Jacob in our Ward Christmas Nativity Program

SPLAT!

Upon request, and since it is actually pretty funny, I will share my embarrassing moment with all of you!

So, for Thanksgiving we traveled down to South Carolina to be with family and visit friends. On Sunday we went to our wonderful AIKEN WARD for church. (Our ward recently split and so we timed it just right to see everyone.) While visiting with EVERYONE in the foyer I remembered something I needed to get out of the car to give to a friend. I grabbed Dan's keys and hurried towards the door. WHAM, CRASH, SPLAT...I walked right into the glass door!! I made a surprisingly loud sound for my short little body! I am sure everyone in the building heard (although I think they were ALL eye-witnesses)!!

I made it to the car feeling like I would loose my breakfast at any moment and then I passed out. When I came to I threw up! I thought the huge goose egg on my head was the worst part of the SPLAT but my knuckle on my pointer finger and my thumb win the prize. Luckily no little bones were broken, however it felt like they were for over a week!!!

So, that is the story! When I told one of my sisters she informed me that two people she knew had done the same thing recently....Tis the season to SPLAT into doors I guess.

Warm Fuzzies

After a very embarrassing moment this past Thanksgiving weekend I now have a swollen, purple knuckle on one of my fingers. Today I took the kiddos to a well-visit check up where Jake got 3 shots. He was a brave little guy and was excited about his snoopy band-aids! About an hour after our appointment Jake had a "SURPRISE" for me. He had taken off his 3 snoopy band-aids to give to my finger...it would help the "ugly finger" go away. What a sweet little guy. It is moments like this that I feel overwhelmed with gratitude for the blessing of being a mommy. Just had to share.

BIRTHDAY BOY

Four years ago today I thought Dan and I would be enjoying a peaceful Thanksgiving day watching the parade and enjoying yummy food with family. I thought the “indigestion” I had been feeling was due to the Greek fast food we had eaten the night before!! Nope, Jake was on his way!! The day did not turn out the way I had planned... I still feel a little frustration boil when I think about the doctor relaxing on a chair in our delivery room talking about her Thanksgiving meal while I was pushing for over an hour and a half (help me women!)!!! But finally my little boy was born---four weeks early! I am so grateful for my little turkey!

Jacob has had a fun 4^th birthday so far! Due to the craziness of the holiday season we had his birthday party this last weekend. We made gingerbread houses with candy galore, played the M&M game, ate even more sugar with a candle on top, and went on a treasure hunt!! (All the Breinholt-now-Barnhurst traditions!) Jacob and Tess are still on a sugar high!

For his birthday he finally got the water bottle he has been wanting for months and months (how funny is that!) He has loved all of his birthday cards and has thanked me over and over for his special birthday!!

Jacob is such a smart and cute little boy (with his grandpa’s dimpled chin!). His round face is so full of expression when he talks! He loves to help me and make me happy. Jake- I hope you have felt the enormous amount of love we have for you! Happy Birthday little man!