Merry Christmas Everyone!

As per tradition, we started Christmas festivities at the early service at church.

Much to the kids delight, church was followed by the MessiPaul present exchange.

 Then, the Big Man himself showed up at the Burke's Christmas party. He delivered a present to each kid and the adults enjoyed eggnog and appetizers.

 Lucy was not nearly as interested in Santa or Santa's lap as were the other two.

 DaddyO enjoyed Santa's company.

 When Christmas morning arrived, Lucy quickly figured out the game plan. As soon as she was done opening one present, she exclaimed "More presents for Lucy!""

 Since Santa delivered bikes for all the kids AND Mommy, it was an amazing day for DaddyO too!

We were so fortunate to have Deane spend the night with us yet again to share in the excitement of Christmas morning. 
The presents quickly consumed the downstairs. And this was only Round 1.

 By far, the biggest hit was Daddy & CamO's remote-controlled helicopter from Grandad and Grandma Holly. It had sufficient pre-trial testing in Texas, so by the time it came to NC, it was airborne in no time!

 

Part 2: Christmas Celebration To Be Continued...

Obligatory Beach Pictures

Since we are, afterall, at the beach. And you are not! Ha ha!

Most people would think it's pretty cool beach combing, looking for shells, etc., ahem, Deane. I, on the other hand, am completely grossed out at the crap the kids pick up claiming they have found the perfect shell...or starfish..or horseshoe crab. Because this is always followed by putting their shellfish-y hands on their face or, God forbid! in my hand. Blech!

So we have our prized beach collection, which the girls made me carry in my jacket pocket and smell like rotting sea life, b/c afterall, they ARE rotting sea life! (FYI, my jacket is in the laundry already, you guys!)

And here they are...TA DA!!!! Beach pictures in December. Where we are. And you are not. :)
I would NOT put this starfish in my pocket b/c it wasn't hard. Have you ever touched a squishy, yet dead starfish? It's sooooo cool. It'll make your stomach turn.

 Lucy is so advanced, she's already writing her sister's name in the sand. That's my baby!

Okay, okay. It was really Jackie writing in the sand. And little CopyCat is just copying her.

 Jackie has grown like 4 inches in the last month.

 Oh yeah, this is the view from our hotel. The one with 5 pools. And that's the beach in the blinding sun.

 Our hotel from the beach. It was beautiful!

Vacation

We've been taking full advantage of our time off and getting a whole lot of nothing done. Dave and I have cought up on our sleep, while Lucy now wakes up at the crack of dawn. Or rather, Jackie wakes her up so she has someone to play with.

The kids have watched more TV than ever.

 And Lucy's table manners have gone to the dogs.

 Vacation is the perfect time to fall asleep at the foot of the table as soon as you've stuffed yourself silly.

 Lucy says she's ready for work. I think she's the only one of us ready to go back to work. Rest up Little Ninja!

Love Thy Neighbor

We got a sweet deal from our neighbor, Karen, to spend a week in Hilton Head. We've been at the pool at least once a day. While Jackie and Cameron spend all their time in the water, Lucy prefers to lounge poolside and soak up the rays.

 It was a little chilly, but swimming in December is always better than work and school.

Our condo is pretty amazing too. And it's all b/c of our dear friend, Karen. Thanks Karen!

There's a little tiger in all of us

Serpil worked her magic yet again this week.

 The kids all had a great time showing off their teeth, or lack-there-of.

 Lucy is more interested in ballerina's & dress-up these days than showing off the fire in her belly.

What's the opposite of yarmulke?

A car track on your head.

 Seriously, I have no idea what's going on here.

All I want for Christmas

...is my one...

 ...two front teeth. My two front teeth...

Baby, it's cold outside!

Uncle Mike came for a visit last weekend. He ran a soccer tournament locally, so he stayed with us during his trip. Unfortunately, he also brought the winter weather.

Seriously, it was Wisconsin-cold. So we made a lazy weekend out of it. Cameron and Spanky laid in front of the vent for a good 30 min together while Lucy beefed up in preparation for hibernation. It also took CamO a good 20 minutes to figure out which dog was laying on him. And if Spanky was the boy or the girl.

That's my baby! He's ready to throw some snow balls.


 It's a Christmas Miracle! We have an ADULT-SIZED tree!

After years of teasing, we finally got a normal-sized tree. And real, breakable ornaments. Of course, the lower half of the tree is filled with plastic and home-made ornaments, but that makes it all the more special.

   

Yes, it truly is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!

Not to worry, there is a tree topper and a tree skirt. (Thanks Miss Julie!)

Officially Official

I don't know who said it, but we couldn't agree more:

'We are only alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures.'

What started out 3 years ago as a journey to our daughter, ended last week with her final piece of paperwork. Lucy is officially a US citizen. Lucy Sooryeo Paul, Korean American. Our little treasure!

Superhero MashUp

Cowboy Dash

Sir Buzz, The Racer

Gratatouille

On this National Day of Glutony, we have so much to be thankful for. And while we didn’t celebrate Thanksgiving with our entire families, we are so blessed to have our NC family- the Messicks & the Kelces. Nanny Fanny spoiled us rotton. Julie, Karen & I even had a brief get-away in Julie’s old bedroom watching past episodes of Glee on the ipad with wine & brie and no children.

Rebecca & Bennett entertained the kiddos til they dropped.

Hunter was all smiles. What more could a boy need than football, food and Suduko?

Cameron couldn't get enough of Hunter's cousins.

Ruby Tuesday was the star of the show. And she quickly found a pet-lover.

Cameron and Leigh enjoyed a gluten-, milk-, egg- & nut-free date on the porch after dinner.

We are expecially thankful Lucy is here with us in NC rather than Korea during these tumultuous times.

Thank God for our beautiful babies, our health and our families. We love you to pieces!