Christmas Eve in Arlington

I wasn't able to take many photos on Christmas Eve (I wonder why!?!?), but we had a wonderful time celebrating with the Andersens and the Powells.

Spotted the jolly guy en route to Arlington!

The Great Grands

My other set of twins

Dolfin 1 Graduate

Reid's last class (for now) at Dolfin Swim School on December 18th was bittersweet.

Bitter - our all-time favorite swim coach, Mr. Samer, graduated from seminary and is headed to Atlanta to follow his calling.  We will always treasure his presence in our lives.

Sweet - Reid graduated from his Dolfin 1 class!  

Normally, Reid would be moving up to Dolfin 2 now, but we're taking a little sabbatical so that he can try his hand (feet!) at a new Thursday afternoon adventure - Soccer Palz!  

Soccer Palz starts in late January, and Reid is definitely looking forward to it!  The best part about it - the soccer coach hosts the sessions at LHCCEC during school hours, so mom doesn't have to worry about whether or not she can get done with work in time.  

 Oliver, Reid, Mr. Samer & Larkin

 In case you can't tell, this is Reid as he started to cry.  He kept asking, "but Mr. Samer will come back in January, right?"  It was so incredibly sad but also very heartwarming at the same time. 

 Ringing the bell for his graduation from Dolfin 1.

Delta Bell Rock

Every year, a brilliant team of party planners at Jeff's place of employment put together a fabulous Christmas party.  Although I've been pregnant at two of them in the past, I've never had anything less than a fabulous time.  This year was no exception!

We were oh-so-thankful that Mimi came into town to watch the boys while we partied the night (and next morning) away at the W Hotel.  Thanks Mimi!

First stop:  Nick & Sam's Grill for lunch

 So patient and sweet to wait around...

 …while I did this.

Yummy brunch at Breadwinners on Sunday morning before we returned home to our sweet (& crazy) littles.

iphone ipurge

We had a quick mini-session with one of our favorite B&W photogs - Ian Cole.  Although we didn't love many of the photos that came from the session (=  less than cooperative littles!), there were a few worth sharing.

T-Rex is alive and well!

Yep, this was the best we could do!

Brotherly love?

You betcha!

Guess who is also sleeping on a big boy nap mat at school now? Before we know it, our little Steppers will be transitioning to the Explorers class.  This will be bittersweet because mommy loves Ms. Shelley and Ms. Katrina!

Reid's very first family portrait.

Who needs a house cleaning service when you have these three?

Poor Hudson had to spend Thanksgiving week in the hospital with a bad case of pancreatitis.  Looks like no more table food droppings in his future.

See that name written at the top of the page?  That's the boy's first John Hancock!