Our Christmas Festivities

Christmas Eve

Jamie reading to the kids during our Henry Family Christmas Eve Party.

Jennifer, Meagan, Baby Emily, Jason & Susan

Trent, Stephanie & Dennis

Jeri, Grandma and Grandpa Henry

We decided to surprise my parents this year by all going in on a gift. We told them to go outside and find it and here are their expressions when they saw their new...

Porch Swing!!!! Ok, the funny thing was that this thing was parked in their driveway when we all returned home from having our annual Christmas Eve lunch at the Olive Garden, but they were oblivious when they drove in. Somehow, neither of them noticed?????

Santa made an appearance at the Thorup Family Christmas Eve party.

Johnny and cousin Grace at our family Christmas Eve party.

Here the kids are with Great Grandma Glad as they show us the new jammies they got on Christmas Eve.

After Santa had come, and before the sun came up Christmas Morning, this is the sight found in our living room.

Christmas Morning

Santa brought the kids an enclosed indoor trampoline. It was so fun to see them shut themselves up in there and bounce around falling on top of each other.

While opening gifts, if the kids got a book, we'd have to stop and read it before continuing. Yay! They liked them. This is Johnny's new book all about TRUCKS!

Alex insisted on opening everyone's gifts.

Here is Princess Aurora all dressed up with her new dress and jewelry. And of course, the dolly that Santa brought her who she named Chloe.

Johnny was soooo excited about his new firetruck from his grandparents. Alex wouldn't even let him sit in it at first. She had to. He was just crying and lunging for it because he wanted it. Finally we convinced his sister to let him have a turn.

Johnny's Favorites

It's so cute to see what these little kids get excited about. For a while now, Johnny just loves to push around whatever he can find. He sweeps, mops, rakes, shovels, etc. Basically, if it's a big stick- he loves it. He'll cry by the broom closet until you get him his broom or mop.

His other love is to chew on his toothbrush. It's the same drill... he'll stand by the closed bathroom door and cry saying, "brush" until you let him in to have his toothbrush. I don't like him to carry it around and get it dirty, but it's hard to say no to his pleading.

Are kids afraid of Santa Claus?

I just had to share this picture of the kids sitting on Santa's lap. Look at my poor little guy. He looks terrified. Ah, what we do for a picture. He is going to think it is so funny when he's older though. That's why we take pictures right?... to capture our memories no matter how happy or sad (or in Alex's case, indifferent).

Virginia

Our family vacation this year was a trip to DC with Grandma Nan to stay with Aunt Karen. It is such an awesome trip because we get to see family and friends! And there are endless things to do there. Thank you for having us everyone!!

We started our trip off right by introducing the kids to the huge tub in the "Queen's Bathroom." Just as we were getting the kids wrapped up in their towels, the power went out. A tree fell down around the corner taking out our power line. We all had flashlights and the kids loved it! They were jumping around on the couches by the light of our flashlights and felt right at home.

A butterfly we saw on our way to the Museum of Natural History. The kids loved seeing the animals.

I thought this giraffe getting a drink looked awesome

He looks like he's about to eat them

Alex loved the monkey in the video room

An awesome huge whale

FDR Memorial

FDR Memorial

Here we are on the bridge on our walk between the FDR Memorial and Jefferson Memorial. It's a nice walk!

Johnny and Daddy at the Jefferson Memorial (after we had been asked by security to keep our children under control)

Our dear friends Ryan and Camille invited our other dear friends Scott and Jennie and us over for dinner one evening. Here are the kiddies lined up in their jammies

A huge highlight of the trip was Cox's Farm. These people turn their farm into a fall festival each year and it rocks! Apples and apple cider are everywhere you turn and they build these huge slides that you go down while sitting on a burlap sack. We thoroughly enjoyed it.

The hayride

Andrea, Nate and Bowen on the hayride

(best hayride I've ever been on)

Alex on the hayride

This slide rocked!!! We would all line up 6 across from each other with kids on our laps and ride it at the same time.

Before you leave the farm, everyone gets a mini pumpkin to take home. And there was a little area set up for taking pictures

Here is Aunt Karen, Cousin Nate and Johnny just before going in to the aquarium.

We took a little side trip to the aquarium in Baltimore, and we absolutely loved it!!! Except for the fact that you have to check your stroller at the door... you Moms out there with multiple toddlers will understand that "containing" the children in a stroller is really the only way you can go places with them.

Nate, Johnny and Alex before going in

the Dolphin Show

A cool eel

These bubbles entertained the children

The huge building in the back of us across the water is the aquarium

Grandma Nan with the kids on the harbor