Christmas at Last

Christmas morning the kids actually woke up at a normal time, even a little late, and were very patient waiting for us all to get up. We sat at the top of the stairs while Daddy got everything set up and the video camera ready.Morgan was over-the-moon when he saw that Santa (aka Gramma Goodier) had granted his wishes and brought him a drum set. Pepper seemed pretty excited about her kitchen as well.

Here's a video of Morgan trying it out:

Before we got started with the presents we went to see if Santa had eaten his cookies and milk. This was the first year Morgan has really gotten into all these little traditions. We even went outside the night before and left some food for the reindeer. So fun! Pepper was very, very excited to see that Santa, Morgan, Auntie Jill and Grandma Adams all brought her some dress up clothes and jewelry. She may not show it but this is a very happy little girl. She also got some baby bottles and accessories and a new baby. Happy, happy day. The kids and the aftermath of Christmas morning. Morgan never got very far away from the drum set. He would leave it just long enough to rip something open and then rush back. Pepper just kept putting her jewelry on and off, while taking care of her babies. Here are some more videos of the chaos and fun:

Now onto the stockings and relaxing on the couch. We had a late breakfast/early lunch after we opened presents. I decided to start a new tradition of making crepes on Christmas morning. I tried to entice the kids to eat them by putting out all sorts of goodies and calling them candy pancakes. Pepper wanted nothing to do with it but we finally got Morgan to eat some plain ones with the goodies on the sides. I'm sure one day they'll enjoy this tradition as much as Cody and I did. After nap time, we headed outside for some freezing cold fresh air. We decided to go for a walk so Morgan started trying to push the umbrella stroller down the sidewalk. Good thing no one was sitting in it because it would have been one crazy ride. Morgan climbing a snow pile to have an icy snack. We tried to make some snow angels. This picture does not show it very well but Pepper was successful in making the cutest little angel before Morgan started stomping all over it. I didn't think she would enjoy it but she kept wanting to make more before her mitten came off and her hand got snowy. Then she was done. My big angel. Morgan's medium sized angel. After we played in the snow, we came inside and Cody made us a yummy leftover turkey dinner. All in all, it was a very happy, quiet, relaxing Christmas day with our two crazy kids. It was so nice to be together as a family with no where else to go or any other responsibilities. Thank you to all our family and friends who sent us such lovely, thoughtful gifts. We wish we could have been together. Hopefully you were all having an equally peaceful day.

Merry Christmas!

Almost There...

Last week we spent a lot of our time trying to keep ourselves from going stir crazy inside our house with not too much to do and waiting for Santa to visit. So on Wednesday morning we went to the Nature Realm MetroPark to play with our friends Anna, Dominic, Natalie and baby Cara. It was a little cold and snowy outside so we mainly hung out inside. Luckily, there is a lot to do and we were there mostly by ourselves for a couple hours.
The kids were very happy to run around looking at the animals and playing with all the toys.

The group doing a little bird watching.

Pepper playing butterfly dress-up.

Baby Cara getting in on the action.

Digging for bugs in the tree house area.

Morgan wanted to be a bug while looking for birds.

Feeling what it is like to live in a cocoon before becoming said butterflies.

I love that we see a lot of these pretty birds around our house and neighborhood.

Pepper and Natalie doing some coloring.

The snowy, scenic walk to the vans. Thanks for playing with us Pavkovs; it was the perfect way to spend a winter morning.

Christmas is about appreciating nature and each other.

On Thursday morning we enjoyed the special treat of having Daddy at home with us. We spent a lot of the day baking cookies, pizzas and other goodies.

Pepper was happy to be our taste tester.

Christmas is about all things yummy!

That evening Jen, Brent and Ava came over for dinner and to join us on an outing to see Christmas lights. We went to Smith Rd. in Medina to some fairgrounds and had a fabulous time. Despite missing their bedtime the kids did great and all seemed to enjoy looking at the lights. We stopped at Starbucks on the way to get some hot chocolate and Santa was at the end of the fairgrounds handing out lollipops for the kids. Treats for everyone!

Christmas is about spending time with good friends and enjoying the simple things in life.

Christmas Eve morning was spent hanging around the house and continuing the non-stop baking. Pepper has started taking after Morgan's musical and fashion habits. She just loves her big brother and tries to be just like him.

Morgan and yet another make-shift drum set.

Christmas is about wishing and hoping.

Cody took the kids outside to play while I worked on some Christmas preparations.

Pepper actually happy being cold and in the snow. I guess playing with Daddy and Morgan will do that to you.

Oops, happy time over. At least Morgan seems to be enjoying himself.

Pepper helping me in the kitchen.

Morgan and Pepper helped make a card and a plate of cookies to take to their Nursery leader. Julie and all the other nursery workers are just the greatest and do a fantastic job despite the craziness of having over twenty kids.

Christmas is about gratitude and love.

Before heading out for our Christmas Eve party we opened the traditional Christmas Eve present of books and pajamas. Morgan was so excited about his he insisted on wearing them to the party. Oh well, whatever makes him happy. Pepper thought opening a present was so fun she started trying to open the rest of them. Luckily, the promise of seeing Abby and Benny soon got her eager to leave the house.

To kick off the party, Jerry read the Christmas story from Luke while the kids helped put together the Little People Nativity. They have the super big one complete with Wise Men camp, the Inn and when you push down on the Angel music plays and the star lights up. Pepper dressed up for the nativity and helped out, while Morgan kept his distance and played with the piano. Here's a video of the festivities:

The adults having a great time eating and chatting while the kids destroyed their family room upstairs. Thanks to Becky and Jerry for throwing a great party and for being such fantastic friends.

Christmas is about celebrating our Savior's birth.

After we got home, we got right to work being Santa's elves.

This kitchen took forever to put together. Luckily, we did this one Thursday night so all we had to put together was the drum set and call it a night.

I didn't have any pictures of myself practically this whole holiday season so we decided to try and take a "happy us" on Christmas Eve photo. Not as easy as it looks. Especially when it is late and you're slouching on the couch.

We gave it our best try...you should have seen the ones that didn't make the cut. But one thing is for sure, we are happy and grateful to be together this Christmas season. We love our home and our family and the Gospel in our lives!

Merry Christmas to all and to all a goodnight!

Morgan's Preschool Christmas Program

Last Thursday was Morgan's last day at Preschool for the year. The last half hour of school the families were invited for a little Christmas Program. Morgan has been singing the songs a bit for me and I was excited to see him perform again...and hoping that this time he would actually do something other than look petrified.

I sat Pepper and I off to the side and kind of hid from him until he was on stage and looking comfortable. He was happy to see us and kept waving while Pepper kept shouting, "Morgan, there's Morgan."
Morgan was much happier this time and actually participated really well, for him. He of course kept lifting his shirt (a nervous habit) and messing with the boys next to him but in the end he was happy and proud of himself. Here are two videos of the event. They are really shaky in places because I was messing with Pepper who was climbing all over me and trying to fall off the pew. They are a bit long but if you have the time, also pretty cute.



Pepper enjoying her favorite car-ride snack, Pringles Stixs, after the concert. If you have been in the car with us you know these things are gold to us. I think they are the perfect car food for a toddler because they are easy to eat and hold without spilling a bag or bowl of food everywhere. They are also easy to hand her a few at a time. Pepper isn't the biggest fan of pretzles so this was a great alternative. Just a friendly suggestion from one parent to another.