All dressed up!

Everyone had to do a quick wardrobe change out of their Christmas pjs into their fancy Christmas outfits!  Before we went to brunch, Matty and Juliet wanted to test out some new toys...

Christmas Morning Complete

Everyone helping Daisy open her Christmas presents...Santa didn't forget anyone!

 Juliet going through her stocking and trying on her unicorn headband...

 Matty happy with a new transformer!

More Christmas morning fun

The present craziness continues...

Present Madness!

The kids had a blast ripping all the wrapping paper!

It wouldn't be Christmas if Mommy and Daddy didn't get everyone pjs and slippers, right?

Christmas Morning

Always so exciting to see what Santa left under the tree!  Matty and Juliet were sleeping in, so Mommy and Daddy had to wake them up so we had enough time to open presents before meeting up with the family for brunch (and more presents!)

 Obligatory Christmas morning pajama/top of the stairs pic

 

Oooh!  Santa brought Matty a brand new orange bike (with an inflatable dinosaur riding it) and Juliet a white volkswagon beetle to ride!  They also each got a dress up outfit--Matty got a fireman outfit and Juliet her first princess dress.   Wrapped under the tree was Matty's most requested Transform Dino that walks and responds to commands, a matchbox car racetrack, and a doll for Juliet and lots more!

 Juliet got the Little Mermaid movie, some bows, and a unicorn dress up in her stocking.  Matty got Despicable Me 2 and some cool Imaginext action guys. 

Twas the Night Before Christmas...

and everyone was on antibiotics, even the mouse.

We hosted a delicious Christmas Eve feast....Matty, Juliet, and the cousins in their Christmas finery....

Then, Matty and Juliet couldn't wait to get on their pjs and get into bed so that Santa could come!  First, we had to put out some milk, cookies, and a carrot!  I think they were both sound asleep by 8pm. 
 

Let's Get Back to It!

Well, after about a month long hiatus from the land of blue ducks, we are back to catch up on the holiday craziness and exciting times of entering 2014.  Everyone is recovering nicely from the great holiday illness(es) of 2013 and bouncing back to normal for the moment.  Here's a quick recap and update:

Matty:  He was sick from Thanksgiving through Christmas, peaking with his combo kick of pneumonia and bronchitis.  We are happy to report that he hasn't coughed in over a week!  Hooray!  He is back to his happy, healthy self!  More importantly, he is extremely excited that his birthday is a mere 2 weeks away.  Matty is soon to be 5! 

Juliet:  Juliet was sick off and on through November and December.  Right before Christmas, she was diagnosed with strep for the 200th time this year (ok, not really, but it certainly felt that way).  After some bloodwork and a trip to the ENT and more dr visits, Juliet will be having those pesky tonsils removed in February.  At least she likes ice cream. 

Mommy:  Spent the better part of December/holiday season cleaning the house constantly and running to the dr every other day.  Back to the regular routine of work and a messy house. 

Daddy:  Spent most of the last month working and shaking his head at all the mayhem going on around him. 

Daisy:  She lives quite the good life here.  Always has lots of playmates and special treats.  Admittedly, she was placed on probation last week after she destroyed one of Juliet's stuffed animals, a little people (person?) toy, and a bumblebee bath toy.  We were testing out whether she was ready to sleep upstairs with us at night time.  She failed the test.

Stay tuned for rapid fire posts ahead....