A Family Christmas

So we had a houseful at Christmas here in Beaver Falls, but we loved every minute! In addition to the Baumgartner Party of Five, we also had Grandma Debbie, Auntie Heather and Zen, Auntie Sara, and Uncle Brian. A great time was had by all (and much sugar I must add). My only regret is that we never got to go see the amazing light displays at Hartwood Acres. There's always next year!

Anna is over the moon about her hot chocolate.

Eric, Zen, Anna and Caleb are excited to open one gift on Christmas Eve.

I love my new apron!! And yes, I am cutting the cheese. For Macaroni and Cheese.

Chad, Heather and Brian took the kids to the YMCA to blow off some steam Christmas Eve.
Anna left them all in the dust on the running track.

Fun on the racquetball courts (or arguing if you look closely)

Uncle Brian takes a beating from the preschoolers.

Auntie Sara and Mom enjoying our time together.

Joanie reads "Merry Christmas, Curious George" and other great Christmas books on Christmas Eve.

Eric enjoys the cupcake he decorated with 7 huge Christmas tree marhmallows. Like I said, sugar was had by all.

Heather and Zen take decorating cupcakes to a whole new level.

Anna and I just want to get the frosting out of that baggie!

Sara helps the little ones. Caleb kept squirting on frosting, then taking a bite. More frosting into the hole, then another bite. Eric sneaks more marshmallows.

Two cute cousins in their Cookie Monster outfits from Grandma Debbie.

Anna loves her new doll house. Guess we need to get more furniture for her birthday.

Caleb was pumped about his Batman ATV vehicle.

Eric and Chad figure out the Hot Wheels Big Rig Launcher!

Sara signals that she's just doing good to be awake at this hour!

Heather asked for cookbooks... so now she is all set.

Brian eagerly anticipates his Dilbert calendar... what's this, going on 6-7 years now?

Anna sends a great big thank you to Grandma Diane and Papa Lee for her Jasmine doll!!

Opening the Christmas Eve gift... Anna got a huge set of pretend food for her kitchen.

The boys waited so patiently!

The kiddos a day or two before Christmas with our little Santa.

Stockings for all 10... what fun filling them!

Thanks everybody for a great time! Jessi, we missed you lots over there in Japan! And Dad, Diane, Stacy, and Jonathon... we got several questions from our kids about when we would be back in Georgia with you and the "gi-normous" Christmas tree. Maybe next year, who knows!

Merry Christmas Auntie JuJu!!!!

Merry Christmas from all of us!

Brotherly Love

With the season of Christmas upon us, I thought it would be appropriate to share some photos of the brotherly love that is blossoming in our house. How fun for us parents when we get to see our children truly embracing one another as friends! Christmas is in 2 days... stand by for more pictures soon!

Blessings,
Joanie

Happy 8th Anniversary to us!

Wedding Day - December 9, 2000

Summer Vacation at Apple Canyon Lake, July 2008

Celebrating Joanie's birthday in February 2008

Happy Anniversary, dear Chad! I love you very much and have had a wonderful 8 years being married to you! I love our family, our home and our life together very much. God has blessed me beyond what I could imagine! I look forward to our special lunch date tomorrow!

Love you! Here's to many, many more years!!

Happy Birthday to Sara and Jessi!!!

Here is a video to Jessi from the kids... we got to sing Happy Birthday to Sara last night!

Have a great day, you two!

Guitar Heroes and Daddy's Helper

Playing Guitar Hero with Daddy!

Eric Rocks!

OK, this is not Guitar Hero, but Caleb was very helpful to Daddy yesterday.

He didn't even know he didn't have paint on his roller!

Now here's the best part... the family band!

The Haircut

Anna looks a bit more mature these days... her new shoulder length hairdo is to blame. I am glad it looks nice, though I was sad to see her long locks fall to the floor. Eric took his scissors to the back of her hair Monday, so Tuesday she was off to the salon. Thankfully it is much easier to wash and brush, and it will grow back. She has been going around touching the back of her hair, and saying, "Mommy, it is already growing back, I can feel it!". Yes, it is dear. Just a lot more slowly than you think! She must have had about 7 inches cut off.

Caleb was not about to be excluded from the photo shoot, so he climbed up onto the ledge and held onto that pumpkin too! You can't really tell it, thankfully, but for his last haircut about 10 days ago, he screamed and threw such a fit that the girl had a very hard time getting him cut. I am still finding little stray bits of longer hair everywhere on him!