Christmas Recap...

The Christmas season is filled with fun and activity, and there is almost no time to update the blog. So, here is a recap of our Christmas activities...

One of my favorite evenings is the preschool Christmas pageant. The boys were wonderful and had a fun time learning their songs. Luke practiced ALL of the time, and Peter refused to sing any of them at home, even going as far as to tell me that his teacher said that he was not allowed to sing at home. Much to my delight, he did know the songs and was adorable singing them. Here are a few pictures and videos from the evening.

Natalie's clip fell out...can you say Cindy Lou Who???

On December 19th, we spent the day with the Stewart/Keys clan. Ross and Shannon hosted a wonderful evening

The two very best gifts of this year...our new nephews.

Here's baby Hank Stewart...

And Jackson Lesyk...

Christmas morning finally arrived and the boys were thrilled to find that Santa brought bunk beds and a whole new room! Rumor has it that Santa found a killer deal on Craigslist!

I have very few pictures of the Stewart clan on Christmas day...I think we were too busy enjoying the time to stop and snap pictures. Christmas with 5 little ones under the age of 5 can get a little crazy (that's putting it mildly.) But, we had a great day.

Luke's reaction...

Peter pointing out every new detail...

New artwork...

Natalie loves her new baby stroller...and I mean LOVES!

She snuggled right up in the new blanket that Mema made for her.

On the 26th we headed to Portland to stay with Bubby and Papa for a few days of fun. Lots of cousin time, the annual cupcake making extravaganza, a surprise snow storm, and lots of snuggles with Bubby, Papa, and their dog Toby.

The cousins...

Best buddies...Peter and Toby.

Great-Grammy and Great-Poppy stopped by for a visit.

Overall, a wonderful Christmas. Wonderful time with both families. Reminders of the hope that Christ brought to the world when he was born. And anticipation of what 2010 will bring.

Merry Christmas 2009

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! We are celebrating the birth of Christ...remembering that he showed up in the most unexpected way. And, celebrating that he continues to "show up" in our lives everyday. Happy Birthday Jesus!

Go big, or go home...

Update on Peter's ear...

Here's the deal, in most families a kid sticks something up their nose or in their ear. The mom takes the kids to the doctor and the doctor removes the object, telling the child not to do it again.

Well, we aren't just ANY family...no, we're the Stewarts...and our well-earned family motto is GO BIG, or GO HOME! So, in true Stewart style, here is how OUR story has played out...

At some undisclosed time Peter sticks something in his ear...likely months ago. Doctor takes a look and thinks it's just wax. We treat if for a month with no results. Doctor looks again...nope, that's not wax but a "foreign object." Doctor refers us to the Pediatric ENT. We go to the ENT, and he confirms that yes there is an object in the ear. He tries to retrieve it, but it appears to have adhered slightly to the eardrum making it extremely painful when he starts messing with it. ENT determines that it is unsafe to remove it in the office for fear that he will burst Peter's eardrum (ouch). So, we are all set for Peter to be put under...yes, you heard me right, he will have to have light anesthesia and then the ENT will carefully remove the object on January 6th.

Poor little guy! He is doing fine, and is not bothered at all by the "object." And so we continue our investment program into the Multicare health system!

Love you Peter. Here's to better hearing in the New Year!

Do you hear what I hear?

If you are Peter, you probably can't hear what I hear. Last month Peter was complaining of ear pain. I took him to the pediatrician and sure enough, he had an ear infection in his left ear. When the doctor looked in his other ear he revealed that Pete's ear was almost completely sealed with wax...YUCK! It's no wonder it feels like he can't hear me. So we have been going through 3 weeks of nightly drops, flushing, etc to try to resolve the matter. Yesterday we were back at the doctor and after careful looking the doctor said, "I think we have a foreign body in there." So, on Monday we have an appointment with an ENT to extract the object and hopefully return his hearing to normal...we'll see. Any guesses on what's in there? I'm putting my money on a bead. After this year, I think we need to add a special line item to our monthly budget...."Absurd Medical Mysteries."

Naughty or Nice...

We went to see Santa yesterday! Natalie wanted nothing to do with him, and the boys were thrilled to find out that they were on the "nice" list! I mean really really really thrilled!

Last night at the end of Peter's prayer he said, "and 'sank you baby Jesus that Santa put me on the nice list. Amen."

Exhausted...

Red cheeks, red ears, completely exhausted!

Merry Christmas from Goodwill...

I was at Goodwill last weekend looking for some games for the kids. I came across this Lincoln Log set. It looked almost new, still in the original packaging. It was $7, so I decided it would make a great gift for Luke for Christmas. I brought it home and of course checked the internet to see if I had found a good deal. Turns out it is discontinued and was selling on Ebay for a pretty penny. So, Aaron listed our almost complete set and we just sold it for $79. Merry Christmas to us...gotta love the Goodwill!

Thanksgiving...

We had a great Thanksgiving at the lake. There is a new kitchen, which is truly amazing. It transforms the house in many ways. I had a great time in the kitchen with my mom and sister cooking dinner and just being girls! The kids played downstairs and only surfaced for food and sleep. The cousins just love being together. They did the annual Bubby Christmas project, and did get a little fishing in with Papa. It was a great weekend, and I was sad to leave the lake.

Just before we left for the weekend, we enjoyed Peter's Thanksgiving party....

Here is Peter at 6pm on Thanksgiving...

Who needs pie? Natalie loved the whipped cream.

The annual project...Luke is showing off his snowmen.

Cousin Reiley showing off hers.

Natalie wasn't going to miss out.

These next two pictures make me laugh...

The final results. All the cousins including baby Jackson!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Bumps and bruises...oh my...

I took this picture thinking that it was cute that all three kids were laying on the floor. When I looked at it on the computer I couldn't believe the number of red marks, bruises and scars that were visible (click on the picture if you want to see it enlarged.) When it comes to having fun, we say...go big or go home...we obviously go big, and then go home with a few bruises!

The King and the Prince...

They say kids these days have a feeling of entitlement....that's just ridiculous. Not our kids. Ummm... sure they play King and Prince, and King Lukie makes Prince Peter always walk behind him, but c'mon that's almost perfectly normal...right???

There are moments in parenting that just make it all worth it. Like when you walk through the door and find that the King and Prince are making all royal subjects (ie...stuffed animals) bow down to them. Hilarious! Our boys imaginations are enormous, and I love it.

They graciously allowed me to take their pictures!

King Lukie, on his throne. The royal subjects are by his side, and yep, that's his royal stallion on the other side. You may be thinking, "wait that looks like a stuffed wombat." You'd be terribly mistaken. It's obviously a royal stallion.

Prince Peter with his royal subjects in the background. (Yes, he has a black eye. He walked into the corner of a table last week at a friend's house. )

Here is Luke, making this bear bow down to Peter. They assured me that this is very different from when people in the Bible bowed down to idols...because God hates that you know. And yes, the stuffed elephant is Peter's horse.

King Luke riding on the royal stallion.

Peter's Special Day...

Peter celebrated his "Special Day" at preschool this week. He proudly wore his crown ALL day and had a lot of fun taking a special snack for his friends and showing them his picture board.

Getting this boy to look at the camera is a major challenge...

Proud parents...

Working on a puzzle...

Showing his picture board to his friends...

Thanksgiving Feast

We had a great time attending a Thanksgiving Feast with Luke's kindergarten class. The kids sang songs, showed-off what they have been learning, and treated us to a yummy feast.