First Haircut

At 4 years old, Tessa finally got her first haircut! It took me months to convince her to do it. She finally agreed after one too many tearful hair brushings. She still had a little 'tude about it before we went, but she did go willingly (ok...there may have been a bribe involved.)

She was so serious the whole time, but she did great!

Success! I only let them cut off an inch since I can't bear to part with those curls. It made a big difference though, and it's so much easier to brush her hair now.

Happy girl, bribe in hand.

Xmas 2012!

We spent Xmas in Michigan this year.  It was a lot of work to pack up a family of five for Christmas away from home, but we wanted to take advantage of spending the holiday with my brother's family while they were on home leave from Africa.  We successfully packed and transported everything....except the extra camera battery.  Ugh!  So, I have my sister-in-law to thank for these pictures!

 

 

 

Bedtime for Babies

I'm so dreadfully behind on posts...and I don't see myself getting caught up anytime soon.  So for now, here's a video clip of our sweet baby putting her babies to bed.   If you listen closely, you'll hear her call Cookie Monster "Elmo" and you may even hear a little bit of the ABC's.

Bedtime for Babies from courtney on Vimeo.

Wacky Weather

There's really no other way to describe it.  Our weather lately has been wacky.  Some days we're doing this in 55-60 degree weather:

 

And then a few days later, we're doing this...

Hey, we'll take what we can get.  She was so determined to make that snow angel!

As much as I really wanted the kids to have one really good snow...I think it's pretty clear that it's not going to happen this year.  So, what the heck...bring on Spring!!!

Cookie Helper

Over the holidays, I had a great little cookie helper this year.  She was so interested in helping!

Good thing little sister was around to help clean up! 

Fun with cousins

In early December, we enjoyed a week-long visit with my brother's family and my Dad. The kids had so much fun together!

Horsey ride from Uncle Sean!

He made it all the way across and was so proud of himself!  Mom was proud too. :)

Cutie Patootie.

Super silly cousins!

More silliness

Can you guess how many attempts it took to get this photo? 

Strolling Old Town with Poppa

Pulling Rohan on the Tessa Express

Trying out Aunt Courtney's shoes

Poppa and two of the littles

Watching Rudolph

Santa 2012

In early December, we went to a holiday celebration at a local nursery. Santa was there! Although he wasn't the best Santa, it was nice that there weren't a ton of people there, so no long lines.

Tessa was very chatty with Mr. Claus!

Alyse was very interested in the candy canes, but not so interested in getting close to Santa!

We went to see the 'real' Santa and Mrs. Claus the following weekend.  You weren't supposed to take your own pictures, but I managed to snap a few.  I only have a have a physical copy of the 'official' photo, and I haven't scanned it in yet.  Alyse still wasn't a fan!