Is it still the holidays?

It is on this blog!  I have a backlog of pictures to get on here before the new year gets any further down the road and a thousand little stories to memorialize.  We've had a nice vacation and while today is the official last day, I think most of us are ready to get back to the routine. 

A few weekends ago, we trekked to the mall to visit Santa (more pictures of that excursion below).  When we got home, Reina was getting out of the car and somehow whacked herself with the car door (she is my child after all).  This goose egg prompted me to call Glenn at work to make sure it wasn't ER-worthy.  It wasn't but she had this pretty mark for quite a while. 

Droopy not-quite-concussion girl.  Ouch!

Before break, we had Will's Christmas program.  He's right smack dab in the middle of this picture.  He was a slightly reluctant participant but he knew the songs and the dance moves. 

Second row from the top, right smack dab in the middle.  Red shirt.

On the last day of school, Will's brave teacher had the kids make gingerbread houses. I took a few hours off to go help.  There was about 100 pounds of frosting and lots and lots of candy and doodads for the house.  She even had teddy grahams in case any of the kids wanted to full their houses with 'people.'  Will's creation wouldn't have met any HOA requirements but it was definitely creative.  And luckily there weren't any teddy graham battles or massacres on the front lawn. 

He's serious about a lot of things, and that includes frosting the gingerbread house.

Will is turning into quite the sports fan and Broncos fever is running rampant through the house.  On Sunday mornings after church, he makes sure all of us are wearing our Broncos gear (even little sisters who aren't convinced that orange matches the tulle skirt she's wearing).  It's a little bittersweet for me because I'm so glad he likes watching the games but frankly I can barely handle my disappointment when they lose and I'm not sure I'm capable of soothing anyone else's disappointed hearts.  Hopefully I won't have to deal with that during the postseason.  Fingers crossed! 

Is this a boy's shirt? 

Super fan!

I even squeezed my noggin into Will's helmet.  It's only weird if it doesn't work! 

As I mentioned, we all bundled up and took everyone to the mall for the annual picture with Santa.  This year had an added level of excitement because Baby Cousin joined us!  This sweet little girl didn't even cry when she sat on Santa's lap. 

Reina loves to kiss Baby Cousin.  Here she is mid-smooch. 

On Christmas Eve, we went to the services at Aunt Vicky and Uncle Matt's church.  The church had a small nativity scene program and Vicky and Matt had the starring roles as Mary and Joseph with Baby Cousin as the Blessed Baby.  The program needed extra supporting characters and Will and Reina initially wanted to be involved.  On the day of, Will's shyness got the better of him and he didn't want to participate.  Reina found out she was going to be a shepherd and she grumbled about that all the way to church. When we arrived, the people in charge said, "Oh, are you one of our angels?!"  The light came on in her face and her disposition greatly changed.  Taaaa daaaaa!!

Angelic Reina

Last week, Glenn and I asked Reina if she wanted to be in the movies when she grows up.  She said yes and I wasn't sure she even understood what that meant.  A few hours later, she told me that she wants her first movie to be Batman because she wants to play Batgirl.  Watch out Hollywood. 

After all of the Christmas festivities, we had some nice days just playing at home.  We watched football and went swimming.  Both kiddos spent some time with Pop-pop and Grandma.  We shopped and (over) ate good food.  We went to a great New Year's Eve party where Glenn won a hand of bingo despite only playing one card and the rest of were juggling two or three.  We watched a lot of movies and tried out Will's new Battleship game.  He beat me fair and square.  We have so much to look forward to in 2014 and I think I'm ready to get it started.  Happy New Year!!