A cousin Christmas

My in-laws traditionally put up their Christmas tree on the first Monday in December. I’ve helped pack away the tree before, but this is the first year our family has been here for the decorating.

Miles, Masie and all of their cousins were so very helpful.

Mia, what’s on your arm?

Fyn was very instructive and told me the proper way to position the limbs.

Lyla mostly enjoyed watching.

These two, William and James, are the best older cousins EVER! They are so great with the younger kids and kind to each other. Miles is sort of the new kid in town, so he’s getting extra attention from everyone. I love it! He is having a fantastic time and it’s thanks mostly to these boys and their sister Courtney.

Pop especially loved all the help he got from our little tinker Masie. Hehehe.

Luke’s sister Elise not to be confused with my grandma Alyce or my brother’s daughter Ellyce.

Lars was entertained by Annie.

Baby Emmeline

Lyla and Annie both found some friends.

Emmeline and Courtney

Luke’s sister-in-law Kate is happy to get her baby fix.

Just call him Will.I.Am.

A little support from James.

Taylor (not to be confused with my brother Taylor) is the closest in age with Miles and they are having a blast together. He’s at her house now skipping out on his nap.

Lyla is always ready with a ((hug)) whether you’re ready or not.

Wait. Did we forget the lights??

No tree decorating is complete until you ROCK around it.

I could not find warm weather Christmas pajamas for my crew. So the girls got xx-small t-shirts to wear as nightgowns, and Miles got boxers and red t-shirt all thanks to Target. And cousin Taylor glamming it up.

Oh so pretty!

Merry Christmas!!

His guts shot out

We like to walk down Nana’s drive and up the next hill.

Miles and Masie like to count the number of dead toads on the road.

The first one we saw was pretty gory as Miles describes it, “His guts shot out!!”

Toad #1

Toad #2

Toad #3

The rain water has been running off into the pool.

Where’s a pool man when you need him??

When the rain stops, we go out and play!

I think I have a little PTSD caused by our adventure to get to the airport to catch our flight to Australia. The event involved a semi rolling over across all 4 lanes of traffic, a chemical spill, breaking several laws, long moments of stillness, 9 Disney movies, missing out on dinner, nail-biting speeds, and no diaper changes for 12 hours. But, we made it in time! We survived that and remained alert enough to escape a major catastrophe on the escalator (Nana nearly falling with the double stroller, passports, and tickets flying. I saved them while also helping Miles remain standing and carrying Lars on my chest in the baby Bjorn and my carry-on bag on my back.) after the airline so kindly allowed us to check-in just minutes before the plane took-off. Security was a success no thanks to any help from the security folks. And the 13 hour flight seemed almost calm after the events leading up to it.

We made it!!

(My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the driver who lost his life that day. We are so grateful for our safe travel.)

And now it’s been raining. I really don’t mind because I was really dreading the heat. The rain has kept it fairly cool though it’s very muggy. Every day we’re afforded a small amount of time to play outdoors.

We spent Sunday at Luke’s brother Daniel’s house.

Our beautiful bather Masie.

Miles got to join his big cousins James, William, and Nathan since he’s such an expert swimmer.

Masie, Don’t Push!

Everything is green and lush from the weeks of rain they’ve had here.

Little Courtney helped Masie to have a great time.

Miles made the jump all the way over James’s arm.

James showing off his diving skills.

Oh, I LOVE them.

William and Miles and Masie, Nathan, Courtney and James.

Here comes the rain again!!

We awoke to Wally outside our window

Mornings come too soon here in Australia.

I really was falling back asleep while taking a photo of Lars and myself.

If he doesn’t wake at 2 a.m. for a bottle, he wakes at 4:15 a.m. and is ready to be awake until his morning nap.

(He’s very close to sitting up on his own.)

The rest of the crew is awake by 5:15. I’m tired!

So, I’ve let the kids eat snacks in my bed and watch Toy Story on the portable DVD player (can’t see it behind the pillow).

It’s been such a treat from them to eat and laze around in my bed.

Never have I let that happen, but I don’t think I’ve ever been as tired as I’ve been the last couple of days.

Miles insists on sleeping in the girls’ room while we’re at Nana’s house.

Even if Masie wakes screaming or Lyla wakes singing, he wants to be in the room with them. Last night it was Miles that woke the rest of the party when he “fell off his pillow.”

It’s making for one tired mama.