December Fun

So that this won't be the longest post in history...I am dividing December into 2 posts. The month of December leading up to Christmas Eve and then Christmas Eve and after. There we have it. It's been a great month!

The nativity/creche at church is always highly anticipated. We love looking at the hundreds of nativity sets, paintings etc. celebrating the birth of the Savior. There is beautiful music and singing in the Chapel that opens to the gym and that adds to the wonderful spirit as well.





We always love the children's room where the kids get to dress up and color etc.

Here we have the Angel and her friend Wyatt






The gift bearing Shepherd





The unhappy babe in the manger





Meadow still an angel with her hair halo.





Sugar Cookie decorating time with neighborhood friends. :)








Getting a little bit carried away with the sprinkles. :)





Just a little bit.






Watching the first light snow falling.





Going out to play in it! Meadow and Parker both liked trying to catch the snowflakes on their tounges. Parker liked trying to karate the snow flakes. I hate I missed pictures of that. Really, one would need video to do that justice though.






Going to meet "Santa" or actually one of Santa's helpers that dress up like Santa and then relay the information to Santa because Santa just cannot be everywhere at once. This is our explanation for the "Why Santa looks different" every year and in the different malls, church programs etc. lol.








Parker was all about the legos this year. Meadow wanted an Ariel Costume and a Troodon. Did you know that Toy Troodons (Realistic ones - not like the conductor from the dinosaur train) do not exist and that there are forums of people on the internet trying to find them. Baffling. I mean, come on, Troodons are supposedly the smartest dinosaurs that existed based on brain size. Don't they deserve a toy!? She did get the Troodon conductor from the dinosaur train and seemed to be ok with that...

Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful...beautiful boy

Darling, darling, darling...darling Liam

Merry Christmas!

A New Tradition

We have reflected on how grateful we are to have a roof over our heads and food on the table despite financial struggles that it seems like so very many people are experiencing at times in this economy. This Christmas we wanted to do something special to teach our children to be kind and compassionate and grateful that our basic needs are met. There are many people in the world who do not have their basic needs met. Greg had the idea to take a meal to homeless people, not through an organization, just as simple as finding one or two of the regular homeless people that are sure to be found in certain places around the Triangle. For example, there is always a homeless person or two on the corner of Hwy 64 and Fayetteville road near South Point Mall. There is also always a homeless person on the corner of Hwy 54 and Chapel Hill Road. We pass that way at least once a month and sometimes when we remember to bring them, we hand snacks out of the window. Well, today at lunch time Greg took the kids up toward South Point and sure enough there was a homeless man on the corner. Then they drove to Chili's Restaurant and ordered a hot meal. Monterey Chicken with mashed potatoes and veggies and a giant coke. They drove back and found the man again and the kids held it out of the window shouting "Merry Christmas!!" At first the homeless person didn't know what they were trying to give him. Then Parker said "We have a meal for you!" The homeless man smiled and said "Thank you, Thank you." It made the kids feel very happy and good to give him a meal and to feel the Christmas spirit. :)

Play for your kids with the sound up

Thanks Mom :)

Catching up - November

Just a couple of pictures from the first week and in the hospital.







































































Meadow had her Thanksgiving Feast at preschool. We had a great time eating turkey sandwhiches and Liam made his first public appearance.











We were invited to have Thanksgiving at our Friends the Munsell's this year. Jonathan is a professional chef and owns 2 restaurants so of COURSE we said yes. On top of that they are super nice and fun and we love them. Our kids love eachother too. The kids drew pictures of what they were thankful for and then everyone took turns at dinner telling what they were thankful for. It was very sweet. Parker was thankful that we could all be together and Meadow was thankful for the food much to Jonathan's delight. Then they broke out the wii - good times!

Quotables

I have gotten behind on the funny things that my kids have said in the last month. Here are some recent good ones:


Meadow: "Growing up is AWESOME!"

Side note* Meadow only likes you to call her awesome these days. Not cute, beautiful, funny etc. Just awesome. :)


At dinner:

Meadow - "Mom, what if a camel came in the kitchen and knocked over the table and all of our food"

Parker looking down at his bowl of spaghetti: "Mom, I think Liam's belly button cord is in my spaghetti."

Getting to know Liam

"Who are you buddy?" ~ Greg

3 weeks in the world! Liam is now about 21 inches and almost 8 lbs. He is a champion eater. Champion. I love the grumbles he makes when he is hungry and when he needs to burp. I love the contented sighs and hums he makes when his belly is getting full. He is not as fussy as Parker was as a baby and not as content as Meadow was but falls somewhere in the middle.

He is not quite loving bath time yet (you're going to love it one day soon buddy!) but tolerates being lotioned up afterward fairly well. I love his little chicken legs and his tiny tootsies. I love to hold his hands and I love his little turtle-like soft as anything neck folds. :) I love that my hands always smell like baby.














































I love it when he is so sleepy that he is gone to the world. I love it when he laughs in his sleep. I wish I knew what was so funny and what he was remembering.

He is a strong guy. He has rolled from his tummy to his back at least 5 times already. He was an acrobat in my tummy. After he was born the doctor said, "Wow, he was a mover! I haven't seen very many cords this twisted."

Chance got his mission call!

My Brother Chance got his mission call to the Chile Rancagua mission! He reports to the MTC on Feb. 2nd. It used to be called the Chile, Santiago South Mission but they changed the name in 2004. So, this map is a little old, but you can see where he will be.

We are so proud of you Chance! You are a wonderful person and we think you will be an amazing missionary! :D

Liam River Winters

We are so thrilled to be home with our newest sweetie pie!

Welcome to Earth Liam from Gregory Winters on Vimeo.

Another reason to eat ice cream (as if we needed one)

Today Meadow slipped on the kitchen floor in her socks and banged her elbow so I opened the freezer to get out the little ice pack (which just happened to be in the freezer door next to her soy vanilla ice cream) and Meadow said through tears: "Mom, I think that ice cream will make it feel the best." :)

Dear Tooth Fairy

Parker lost his first tooth tonight right before bath time!! He is beyond excited about it and he hopped right into bed this evening so that the tooth fairy could come and find his note:

In case it is too hard to read:

"Dear Tooth Fairy, this is my first tooth. I think it is worth at least two dollars $. Love, Parker"

Look what I made y'all

I'm a little bit pleased with myself! A lady in our ward taught us how to crochet a couple of months ago. It's pretty fun and easy once you get the hang of it. It makes you feel like you are accomplishing something even if you are just watching TV after the kids are in bed. It will be fun to wrap up the baby boy in it! :)