Christmas 2017

Christmas Eve Mass pictures.  The girls were so sweet in their new dresses from Great Grandma and Kolbe was adorable in his suit and bow tie.  

I even commissioned Kayla to take a shot of Chris and I because we rarely get one.  

Christmas morning dawned bright and early with little ones jumping on our bed and accompanying squeals of delight. We read the Christmas story.  Kayla had gathered every Bible (including many kids' versions) and insisted that we read the Nativity story from at least 3 of them.  

Next we headed downstairs to survey the tree and the manger scenes.  

 

We opened gifts in a somewhat orderly fashion and oohed and awed over everyone's gifts.  

 

Growing up my grandmother always sent cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning each year.  I have tried to keep up the tradition of cinnamon rolls on Christmas morning, but this year I didn't have to put forth the effort because my grandmother surprised us all with her cinnamon rolls which arrived in her Christmas box a couple weeks before Christmas.  I promptly put them in the freezer to keep them fresh so we could enjoy HER delightful gift (and tradition) on Christmas morning.  

Another tradition-

Chris' dad carves each of the kids a wooden ornament each year.  The girls all got lovely angels in their favorite colors (Kayla-lavender, Elise- green, Ava-yellow, and Sophie- purple).  Kolbe received a little drummer boy teddy bear.  

 

I must admit that I'm just as excited as the kids each year to see the love, care, and creativity that Chris' dad has put into this labor of love.  How blessed our children are to have such a talented Granddad who takes the time to create such beautiful memories both now and into the future.

The girls thought the skittle mustache/beard was hilarious.  

My sister's family had our family this year, and one of the gifts they gave us was a huge set of Magna-tiles.  The kids love them and played with them for a good part of the morning, building all sorts of creations.  

 

Including a home of sorts for some of their new "stuffies"

Kolbe wasn't so excited about the gifts.  He was more excited to sneak into things he normally doesn't have access to.  But with all his sisters and his parents preoccupied, he found the markers and coloring books and a little corner and got busy.  Fortunately for us he was using them as they should be used, though I had to take them gently away before he got any other ideas....

He latched onto one Christmas gift, which was a little bulldozer from my uncle Jeff.  It makes noises and sings (rather annoying) songs, but he loves it and it's really the cutest thing in the world to watch him push it around and play with it.  That smile!!

 

It was a quiet day, filled with family (just our 'small' one) and relaxation.  We played together, and Chris and I cooked dinner together in the kitchen.  He made the turkey, which was moist and flavorful and all around delicious.  I made a bunch of sides to go with and we enjoyed a (mostly) quiet and very enjoyable dinner together with no where to go and no expectations.  

How blessed we are to have our Faith, these 5 beautiful children and each other.  

Merry Christmas!

Happy 1st Birthday, Little Man!

Happy happy birthday to our firstborn son.  

Kolbe Christopher, 

Since you surprised us two weeks early and surprised us again (you were a Little Man!!), you have only continued to bring joy and love into our lives.  

My post-partum with you was not my easiest (emotionally), but you have been a constant source of smiles and baby sweetness, which has helped tremendously.  You make all the hard days easier, and the dark days brighter.  When I'm tempted to think I'm not a good enough, perfect enough, got-it-together-enough mom, you are there with that joyous smile and crinkly eyes that reminds me that none of that matters.  

God didn't put me here to be perfect. 

 He put me here to love. 

To love Him.  

To love your daddy.  

To love your sisters.  

And to love you, precious, wonderful you.  

 

Oh my goodness, why are you trying to be so big??  Stop growing so fast, you are my BABY!!

On the morning of your birthday, Little Man, we went for a nice hike together in the mountains.  More on that in another post, but here's your sneak peak.  As always you are a joy to be around.  

 After we arrived home from the hike, your dad and I worked diligently on your cake.  We figured our Little Bison, Colorado Boy needed some mountains and trees and a big ol' campfire to make his birthday cake complete.  

Rugged and beautiful. 

After a manly dinner of meat and potatoes (and veggies!), we had another family over to celebrate you.  We didn't want it to be overdone or overwhelming.  We just wanted it to be fun and to celebrate the joy you bring to all our lives.  

It was perfect.  Megan (who came to my aide when I went into labor with you) took all sorts of pictures, which I treasure already.  She caught your multi-faceted, though still nearly always joyful personality and she captured some sweet moments with your dad and I in them as well.  

You were pretty excited by your cake.  The fire anyway.  ha.  

Getting a little camera shy for a brief second as everyone sings.  

Help from Mommy and Daddy

            

And you are holding the lighter....oh boy. 

Your dad and I are still trying to get the hang of being boy parents, even a year later (and I'm sure for the rest of our lives).  But we sure are enjoying it thus far. 

We love your silly smiles and your tongue sticking out.  We love the light in your eyes when you are tickled about something, anything.  We love the sense of wonder in your eyes when you are seeing something for the first time.  We love the way you clap your hands excitedly and the way you laugh when you know you are getting into something you shouldn't.  

Kolbe, you are a total ham.  You crack yourself (and all of us) up.  

And then it was time to open some presents.  Peter insisted on getting you a Broncos football.  This is a Bengals house, but the Broncos aren't a team we adamantly dislike, and you loved that football from the moment you laid eyes on it.  

 

I mean, this is seriously the cutest thing ever. 

 

 

Son, we are so thrilled to have you in our family and to celebrate ONE YEAR of your precious life this side of the womb.  You are so full of life and love and joy.  It shines through in everything you do, even at so young an age.  

 I mentioned that the year has been a tough one in various ways for me.  But I cannot imagine what it would have looked like if God had not sent the incredible blessing of YOU into our lives.  

Kolbe Christopher, since the moment we knew we were expecting you to the moment we first met you and held you in our arms and beyond, you have constantly reminded us (in the words of St. John Paul II) that "God made us for joy!"

 

You also received this sweet Lego fire truck.  The girls have been teaching you how it works and you are a fan.  Thanks, Hjelmstads!

 

I could quote many amazing saints on the virtue of joy, but I'll share just one more that I think sums you up so well.  You are only one.  You can't even talk (unless you count "Mama, Dada, Baba, and Nana"), but you light up the world with Christ's love and joy more than anyone in my world.  Why? 

I'm paraphrasing St. Madeleine Sophie Barat here, but it's because you are humble and simple, and those beautiful virtues bring joy.  When one is humble and doesn't need credit, they simply LIVE love with their smiles, their hugs, their care, everything.  

And that, Kolbe, is what you do.  

 

Your godparents in California sent you some love (I omitted the personal message part, but it's saved just for you, Kolbe, so you can watch it as much as you like growing up).  They are wonderful people and you will love them more and more as you grow and get to know them better with each passing year.  

The girls planned you a little party of their own with some schnazzy birthday signs and a banana/cheerio concoction snack. 

Kolbe, you are everyone's sunshine around here.  You are loved, adored, protected, and doted on by all your big sisters.  We are so grateful for your silliness and smiles.  We are so thankful for your hugs and for your scrunchy-nosed grins.  We love your little chubby feet making tracks everywhere these days.  One month ago, you were still taking just a few wobbly steps here and there, but now you run (I mean it's actually just really fast walking, but it is amazing how fast you are!) everywhere.  You find ways to move all the barriers we put in your way (persistent little guy!!) and your little chubby fingered wave and "Baba" is the cutest.  You have us all wrapped around your little finger, buddy, and we are so blessed to have you in our lives, Little Man.  

Happy First Birthday, Kolbe Christopher!

(this pic from when you were 6 months old is still one of my favs.)