Last few holiday celebrations

Our initial Christmas plans with the Kelly's fell through so we got together when we returned from VA. The kids all ran around like wild indians and then sat nicely together to open presents and read. So cute.

These faces do look like those of distress, but they are not. They actually were playing.

I wish I could fall asleep like this every single night. Pillow pet and Angry bird blanket. On the floor. With my water handy.

 So sweet. Dottie, Aunt Nancy, Aunt Linda, Katie, Olivia and Melody gave me a little "Ashley shower." It was so thoughtful with some delicious food and gifts for me-what could be better!

New Year's Eve. Lots of boys in this gang. We got together with the Kirby's and McFaddens. We are missing one, but from 4 kids in 3 different families, we have 7 boys so far. We will see if we will be adding another in a few weeks!

Christmas in VA

  I knew I couldn't make the trek down to SC this year so we all decided to meet in VA at Don and Dottie's vacation house. Sherri didn't end up making it, and dad was only able to stay a day, but we had a fun few days. The kids all really got along and played really well together. 

This is Ellas behind every time she sits down. Poor thing got her Aunt Ashley's big booty.

                                         We also got to celebrate Tracy's birthday! 21!!

 Dad definitely says girl because he didn't remember seeing me this big with the boys, while

Mom says girl just because she wants one. Mom did manage to tell me I was as big as a house(nicely, right?!)

                                  We found Uncle Mikes TMNT collection. Ryan has been in Heaven.

                                             Evan is much to old for this, being 7 and all.

            Grandpa and the kids. We got sidetracked and need to get a group one with grandma next time.

                        It snowed! The McCalla kids were in Heaven (well, Evan-Ella got too cold!)

          It was a light dusting that actually didn't stick, but was pretty while it lasted.

We ventured down to downtown Charlottesville for the Children's Museum. I think the big boys had as much fun as the little kids!

It was so great to see everyone and a nice break to not have to drive 8 hours. Maybe we can do it again in a few more years!

Growing with Mr. & Mrs. Claus

Dottie used to do this with the boys so I am trying to remember to do it each year! It is a cute way to see their growth!

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Merry Christmas!!

Where has the year gone?!? How is it Christmas time already?! 

We drove down to MD on the 22nd and got to visit with a few friends and lotsss of family during the holidays. It snowed very lightly on Christmas Eve but the boys were super excited and we had to play in it before and after church. Yes, you see Ryan's ravens jersey under his button down. We are definitely in the pick your battles stage. 

 I forgot our Santa plate but luckily the boys didn't care. We left our cookies and carrots and Andrew asked that I leave the milk last so it wasn't yucky.

Ryan woke up around 530 and really doesn't understand so we managed to keep him in the living room until Andrew woke up. Great-Grandma had spent the night and was up with us nice and early. Ryan played puzzles on my phone while telling her what he was making.

                                          MERRY CHRISTMAS MORNING!!

                        Santa ate and drank and left notes

We really could have stopped after the stockings. Every time Ryan got a present he would say "another one to me?!"

Andrew was BEYOND excited to give Ryan his gift. He picked out a pillow pet for him about a month ago and told everyone what he had gotten. It was super sweet and cute to watch.

These two blankets may have been the best hit of the entire morning. As usual, the cheapest and least known about...

          Hopefully they will actually appreciate this once the baby comes!

  We went to Aunt Linda's to celebrate Christmas with the Semesky Family. Almost all the cousins were there and three little munchkins!

                                   No cigar this year on a good picture. How do you people do it?!

                                                          All five Semesky siblings

                             A blog is coming soon on all the comments I have received this pregnancy-yes, I realize I look like I could give birth tomorrow.

 The boys were a little wild and were running laps around the house and playing wheel barrow. They still managed to stay awake until 1030 though. Pure adrenaline.

 I had to post these two pictures to see how funny. While I was trying to take these, Andrew slipped and fell-hence Chris' expression in picture number two.

It snowed some more on the 26th and the boys were really ready to play. After doing a few rounds of sledding we decided to make a snowman. Chris did 98% of the work and Ryan was actually sort of scared of it. It started raining very soon after and the snowman melted.

                                  See how they won't get too close. Andrew didn't want to bother his arm.