Christmas 2013

This year was a busy, boy filled Christmas! Every year as Christmas approaches, I am reminded of the beautiful and sacred meaning for this time of year. This year we were blessed to be part of our church's live nativity and it kicked the season off just right! For above all the fun, presents and parties...it is about a baby in a manger! 

Having Nikki, Sean and Derin here Christmas morning was so much fun and I will cherish it forever. We shared some of our Christmas traditions with them and the boys loved being together. Abby, Thomas and Edie were home for the holidays too and Edie just keeps getting cuter! The day after Christmas Nikki and I drove the boys down to visit Pop Pop and Gigi. Jake was excited to drive,"two countries away," hehe. The boys always love seeing family and although its tough to fit it all in, it is important. Here are just a few pictures of the Christmas festivities. 

Dressed for church

Christmas Jammie's

Stage is set!

Hallways wrapped for the boys to bust through! Favorite tradition!

Very early creepers in my bed...

Waiting for Daddy to Check if Santa came...

Milk and cookie check...

In Baltimore the next day visiting Pop Pop and Gigi

Even more presents! Spoiled boys!!

Didn't get to take a ton of pics, but got to see all of aunts and uncles too :)

Sean doing Legos (his Fav)

Jake studying the Dulaney High school picture from 1995 looking for Aunt Nik

Just a taste

Today Nikki, Sean and Derin headed back to Turkey after being here for a month. It was a whirlwind 48 hours trying to get her packed and ready with all the boys running around, but we did it! Then, off to JFK we went early this morning. It was difficult dropping her off and and a little piece of me left today... I was the girl openly crying in the airport again....but, thanks to my driving buddy Janet, I wasn't a total mess on the way back :) 

What a month we had! It was hectic, fun, crazy, wild, beautiful and just plain awesome. I am thankful to God for this time and for making it all work out for Nikki to be here. We missed Eko dearly and I am thankful for his willingness to be without them this long as I know its hard to be away from your kids. I am thankful Jon was such a good sport about the whole thing as he was outnumbered most nights when it came to topics of discussion and TV show choices! Hehe. 

The boys had an absolute blast and they are already talking about how much they miss Sean and even little Derin. I asked Jake how he felt and he said,"lonely." So sad and sweet at the same time. My sister and I had a lot of time to catch up and had some really heart felt chats that will stay with me and help me get through this next phase of their Turkish journey. I am so proud of both Eko and my sister for doing what is needed for their little family and putting family first. It is not always easy to do, but it is important. It wasn't always easy having five boys in this house, but I'm hoping my boys learned that you sacrifice for your family even when it's not the most convenient because the joys far outweigh the challenges. Thats what family is all about. What a happy holiday season it was! Love you guys!! 

My medium boy is three!!

I just can't believe that it was three years ago that you were born. Our William. It was a surreal, amazing experience bringing you home and one that I will never forget. You were the best baby in the world! You have grown into quite the spunky, funny and sweet little boy. Here are just a few snippets into our boy at three years old.

- We just adore watching you dance and listening to your "songs."

- You love to watch people dance and imitate their moves

- You mention Daddy in every conversation

- You still like to eat and it is your go to activity when you are bored.

- You love playing on the iPad and the wii. Anything "big boy"

- You love to play chase, hide and go seek and anything with your brothers.

- You and Kevin have your own language. You are often laughing and giggling in the back of the car and no one knows why. 

- You adore Jake and want to be just like him.

- You really like talking on the phone and have become quite the conversationalist

- Another favorite pastime for you is taking "selfies" or (pictures of yourself) 

- Your favorite foods are: yogurt, sweets, meatballs and Mac and cheese 

 - Your favorite TV show: Peppa Pig

 - Your favorite song is a kids dance song called "The gummy bear song" and you love jingle bells.

- Your birthday party's was at a playplace and you loved that it was your birthday!! You kept saying,"it's my birthday" you did not love when it was time for everyone to sing to you. Not a fan of mega  attention.

- Your favorite character is Batman

- You like going to church to "see your friends" 

- You start preschool in January. You will get to rid a bus and you are soo excited about that!

- You love dogs and like your brothers want a puppy.

- you give the best hugs and make the best pig noise

- You're a very kind brother and often very sensitive and aware of your brothers. 

 Recent Phrases.... 

"I phwee (three)" 

"mom, jake have one too?" 

"I batman....and I crush you!" (Thanks daddy for teaching you the word crush)

"no, baby do it" (when I ask him to put something away and he doesn't feel like it.. Baby is Kevin.

"Mom, can I talk to you? Mom, can I tell you something..." 

"What about me?"

" I go to school too, but I ride a bus!"