O Christmas Tree

What we've been up to since Thanksgiving...

Family trips to Sam's Club...we buy in bulk in this house.

Going to the doctor for a sick Lilly

Being SUPER cute in our holiday apparel

Getting our first Christmas tree with the monsters

Look! There is is!!!

Not sure why everyone's fussing over a dead tree on top of the car...

Curious is my middle name.

It's in the house!

Playing outside

Ordered our family stockings...a good buy

Josiah has officially taken his first three steps ALL BY HIMSELF. He's also opened the cabinets, pulled out the trash, found the cat food, disappeared in our bedroom and rummaged through our Christmas lights.

Although there's no movement on the Lilly front (she'll learn to move one of these days!), she's learned to clap- so cute-, excitedly wave her arms till she falls over, and give you THE sweetest smile in the world. Seriously, this girl is the best.

They both have two teeth and are feverishly downing any new foods we put in front of them.

It's hard.

So hard to believe that these kids were in distress after their birth. It's simply amazing.

Steve and I truly enjoy our time with them and although it's not all roses (let's be honest here) we couldn't ask for more affectionate, silly, entertaining, exasperating, intelligent, exhausting, thrilling kids. I now understand the crazy parents. The ones who think their kid is awesome and everyone else is like, "Dude. Do you see that marble up his nose?"

Parenting is difficult if only because of the sheer exhaustion. A typical day for us isn't typical at all. It takes a lot of work to be excellent in one thing. It takes family, friends, and willpower to be good at many things. Sometimes I feel panicky like I know I'm letting something slip through the cracks. The problem is, I can never seem to remember what it is.

This season, Steve and I are committed to enjoying the holidays. We hope you are enjoying yours. Our Christmas cards are halfway finished (my project for this weekend). We're excited to share a couple pictures with you and wish you well.