Christmas Tree!

In the beginning of the month we set off to get our Christmas Tree. We found a great tree farm last year that we loved so we decided to head back. Once we arrived we realized they weren't open on Mondays. It was a 45 minute drive, so not just down the street. Luckily there was a lady in the shop working on wreathes and she graciously allowed us to go pick out a tree. So happy that the crisis was averted and we set off in search of the perfect tree!

We took this as an opportunity to try and get a family photo that we just so happened to use on our Christmas Card. I have given up hope of ever trying to get a picture of all five of us smiling, but this wasn't too bad. 

We searched for the right tree and took lots of photos on the way. Luckily everyone was pretty tolerant and cooperative for me!

 We found our tree! Chris cut the tree down while the girls watched.

 

I love having a real Christmas tree in the house after so many years of a fake one! 

Killian 3 months

Killian turned 3 months old on the 4th. I am not terribly pleased with the photos, but once Caroline got ahold of the sign it was all over. Killian is getting so big! He is developing a bit of a schedule and is starting to become more predictable. He is still waking up once or twice a night, but will sleep a good 8 hour stretch. He takes a few cat naps during the day and usually one longer one before dinner. He is still in 3 month clothes but slowing outgrowing them! He loves to coo and smile, and loves his big sisters. He loves the Christmas lights and will sit and play with his toy bar now for long enough to make lunch etc. Charlotte is a huge help and often times will sit with him next to his swing and sing to him and come running to tell me that she got him to sleep! There isn't too much tummy time taking place, I am not in a huge hurry for him to roll over or start crawling. I know it will only be a matter of time before the baby gates are back up and he is underneath the table with his sisters causing trouble! He is such a sweet baby boy!

 

The Nutcracker

Over the summer I signed Charlotte up for Ballet camp. She ended up loving it so much that she wanted me to sign her up for Ballet in the fall. Being that we live in a small town, there aren't a ton of kids in Ballet, and Charlotte's ballet teacher puts on the Nutcracker each year, so all the kids are drafted into being in the performance. I have to say that I was resistant at first, thinking there way no way Charlotte would get up on stage and perform in front of a group of people, and I wasn't thrilled with the rehearsal schedule. Trying to get three kids out the door for a 20 minute rehearsal every Saturday morning for 2 1/2 months definitely came with some stress, however, Charlotte LOVES it and last night was the first of three performances they are putting on. Last week Chris got drafted into being in it also as they didn't have any boys/men for the ballroom scene. Charlotte was thrilled that Chris was going to be in it too. They went to rehearsals together last week, past Charlotte's bedtime, but she came home with a huge smile on her face talking non-stop about all the kids and Daddy dancing and was just thrilled. Chris went with her early yesterday for a dress rehearsal before the show (which they clearly needed!) He took a few pictures then so we weren't disrupting anyone during the show!

 Grandma, Dad and I were in the audience and they were just hysterical. They were waiting for their cues from Mother Ginger but you couldn't hear him so the girls was a bit confused. Once they got going though they were great. In the video Charlotte and the girl next to her started fighting over which way they were going, it was just lots of fun. She was also a tiny mouse in the battle scene which was also super cute. She cracks me up that she does her "sashays" very seriously and it is very funny.

 There was a big snowstorm coming so we didn't hang around much afterwords but Charlotte was thrilled with her flowers and did such a great job.

 Daddy did a great job too!

 We have another full week of rehearsals and then two more shows next weekend!

Santa

I know I am far far behind on posting (I still have halloween pictures!), but these were easy. We went to see Santa yesterday. Chris had to work so Mimi helped me with the kids. It was a lot of work! Luckily by the time we got back home and ate lunch it was late enough that there was no line to visit with Santa when we got there! Killian enjoyed his first visit with Santa.

 Once it was time for a group photo, Santa had to hold Caroline so she wouldn't escape. She was not into Santa. (I showed her the pictures after and she said "Sad. (and pretended to cry)).

 Charlotte was very happy to visit with Santa. She told him she would like a Lalaloopsy Loopy Hair doll, even though she doesn't know how to braid. Santa told her she had been a very good girl and would get lots of special things for Christmas.

 Since we were at the Greenhouse, we checked out the indoor fish pond and the talking parrots before heading home!

 Caroline enjoyed her candy canes and even fed some to the fish.

So excited it's December!