Christmas Day

The boys didn't exactly sleep in on Christmas morning - but at least they got up at their normal allowed time. I think Nana and Aunt Rachel still found the 7am wake-up to be early, but Jason and I were just relieved they made it that long.

At 7am the boys clambered into our bed while I got up to put out the finishing touches and rouse Nana and Aunt Rachel.  As soon as everything and everyone was in place (and breakfast in the oven for those of us who would not be sustained by candy canes for breakfast), the boys spent 10 seconds trying to be still at the top of the stairs for this picture and then raced down to the front room. 

The stocking were laid in front of the TV with care.  You can see gifts peeping out of the tops of my, Jason's and the boys' stockings.  There was something different in Nana's and Aunt Rachel's.

The tree was lit and the gifts ready to be unwrapped.

Ben, now a three year veteran to this holiday, was an unwrapping pro this year.

Aunt Rachel (and Nana - not seen here) got coal in their stockings.  I would say they must have been very naughty, but since the "coal" was made out of oreos and marshmallows, they didn't seem to mind too much.

Among other things (LOTS of other things), the boys got lightsabers from Grandma Jo.  I think this puts our lightsaber count at 14.  Michael stuck them right in the sides of his pants for easy access.

 Michael also got a GI Joe.  With whom Rachel fell in love immediately.  Well, him or his artillery.  She could identify and give us the run-down on most of it.  But I think this might be the perfect guy for Rachel - tough, owns his own guns and only talks when you push him really hard in the stomach.

 After opening all their gifts (which included a mini-trampoline, sleeping bags, tee-pee tent, Native American instruments, swim lessons, etc), the older boys got dressed and went out back with Jason to try their bikes in the parking lot.  Riding them outside turned out to be far more intimidating than riding them around the house.  Which I don't quite get because there are so many more things to run into in the house.  In any case, they rode for a bit and then we decided that it would be better to learn to ride on a flat surface than a hill.  (We did that later in the week and they loved it.)

I found all this activity to be exhausting, so it was very fortunate that my Mom took over all the food preparation for the day.  She made a lovely dinner that cooked in the crock pot all day and filled the air with a mouthwatering aroma.  That afternoon, Dad, Diane and Grandpa came over and enjoyed it with us.

It was a lovely day and we were so blessed to have a nice day at home with family.

Christmas Eve

Christmas was a little rough this year.  It started off well enough.  We did a Christmas activity pretty much every night and almost all of our shopping was done well before Christmas.  I was a little behind schedule, but well on my way to having everything done and made and given away that I had planned.  And then, exactly one week before Christmas, I came down with a horrible, knock-me-down cold.  And I was pretty much useless to the world.  Thankfully, Josh only had two days of school that week and Jason had three and a half.  Every day I hoped it would get better and sadly that didn't actually happen for a long time.  So, my Christmas spirit kind of limped along through the holidays and I am now finally feeling better.

This lack of cheer was apparent to my adult family members, but hopefully not to the boys.  Aside from the fact that I spent most of it wishing I was in bed cuddling my tissue box, we had a lovely Christmas and Christmas Eve.

Christmas Eve was spent at my Dad and Diane's house.  We were lucky enough to have my grandfather here with us as well.  Rachel is back from Afghanistan/Germany and Doug was able to call us from Afghanistan.  Hopefully next year we can get both of my siblings in the same state for the holidays.  

The big excitement of the night for the boys was, not surprisingly, their presents.  We asked Dad and Diane to get the older boys bikes this year.  We asked and they delivered.  The boys were very excited.  So very excited that after a day of fun and playing at Oma and Opa's house, they still had enough energy to come home and ride the bikes around the main floor at our house.  

Which is the one and only time they will do that.   

Josh got a Mongoose.

Michael got a Cobra.

Apparently, and this was not at all planned, mongooses (or would that be mongeese?) eat cobras.  A fact that Josh knew and made sure that the rest of us were very clear about.  But Michael has gotten his revenge as he is already a much better bike rider than Josh.  So while the mongoose may eat the cobra, he has to catch him first and for the time being eat his dust.

Ben got a Batcave from Oma and Opa.  It is almost as big as him.  Ben loves Batman figures and opening and closing doors so he was delighted.

Pajamas, although less exciting, were also opened on Christmas Eve.  After a couple years of dino pj's, I went with a space theme this year.  We rarely dress the boys in the same outfits, but I think it so cute to get them all in their matching pj's.  For as long as that lasts anyway.  Any guesses on how old Josh will be when he refuses to match his little brothers?

I forgot to look for matching pajamas for Aunt Rachel, but she looks pretty dang cute with her nephews anyway.  Maybe next year.

After this photos shoot, we sent the troops to bed and put out the loot for the next morning.  Then the adults all went to their respective beds and probably all said a prayer that the boys would sleep in the next morning.

O Daddy Tree

I found this activity in a parenting magazine last year.  A parenting magazine geared towards moms most likely.  I only say this because I can't imagine a magazine geared towards dads recommending this activity. 

Basically, we wrap Jason in crepe paper...

...and then decorate him with ornaments and a big gaudy star.  Okay, the star does not actually have to be gaudy; it was just Jason's luck that it is.  The boys love it and remembered the activity from last year.  They have been asking to do this activity for weeks.  And when we were done they wanted promises that we would do it again next year.

Lucky Jason.

For our activity, we busted out some cool ornaments this year.  My aunt and uncle gave them to us and they are very cool.  So cool that we decided to wait until close to Christmas to put them on the tree because the temptation to play with these ornaments is very strong.  Who wouldn't want to play with a Romulan Warship or

the USS Voyager or

 or the Millennium Falcon or 

a Klingon Bird of Prey or

the USS Defiant (not shown here)?

Here Comes Santa Claus

Last night was our church's Christmas party.  There was an enormous amount of ham (happy moment for Josh) and plenty of dessert (several happy moments for Michael) and candy canes (happy moments for all the boys).  Santa also made an appearance.  I have ambivalent feelings about Santa.  My mom claims he is the spirit of giving.  I think of him more as the spirit of gimmie, gimmie, gimmie.

Michael wasn't sure what to ask Santa for Christmas.   He was also sure that he would like anything Santa brought, as long as it wasn't a girl present.  Michael is also pretty convinced that this is the "real" Santa.  I am not encouraging that.

Ben didn't have anything to say to Santa; he was just in this for the candy cane.

Josh had a list.  I am sure that air swimmer was on the list.  I have no idea what an air swimmer is.  I feel fairly confident that he won't be getting one for Christmas.  I also feel fairly confident that he will love his other gifts, so I am not too worried.

Where Credit Is Due

Lately I have been posting some great pictures of my kids.  Some were in the Christmas Letter and others are on the side bar.  But, I neglected to give credit for them.  Lest you think I have either spontaneously become a better photographer or bought a camera that is completely idiot proof, I need to give credit where credit is due.  My friend, Steph, was kind enough to meet us at the park and take some pictures of the boys.  I love the pictures she took.  She even got the two I have already posted of Ben in spite of him being very grumpy and completely uncooperative.  She also got many more good ones of Josh and Michael.  So, I wanted to post some more of them.  Not all, since I realize that not everyone wants to spend a lot time looking at pictures of the boys (although I often do).  And to thank Steph again for taking these great photos.

Miller Family Christmas Letter

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the Millers!

Our year has been filled with our boys, their activities and adventures. 

Ben (2) We have so enjoyed watching Ben’s personality continue to unfold.  He is spunky, sweet and social.  He loves to make his brothers laugh.  He is a Daddy’s boy and finds comfort in sucking on two of his fingers and holding Jason’s ear.  Depending on the day, he is insistent on either being a “baby” or “big boy,” but he is always BEN.  Ben graduated from crib to big boy bed this year and in all ways tries to do just about everything that Josh and Michael do.  He loves the Backyardigans, Batman and being a “police officer.”  As befits the third child, he has a clear idea of what he wants, when he wants it and how.

Michael (5) Our middle child is a non-stop motion machine.  If he isn’t jumping, then he is bouncing, springing, bounding or hopping.  He is a Mama’s boy and can be so affectionate and sweet.  Michael is obsessed with superheroes and spends a great deal of time dressed up as one, when we let him.  Halloween is pretty much his favorite time of year as he spends most the month of October dressed as Batman.  He played his first season of t-ball on the Cardinals this spring.  He started his second year of preschool this fall.  Two days a week doesn’t seem enough at this stage, but we try to keep busy by having his buddies over often to play.

Josh (7) Growing older and taller at much too fast a pace, Josh started 2^nd grade this year.  He is a voracious reader and obsessed with Star Wars, sharks, Bey Blades, Star Wars and Legos.  Oh, and Star Wars.  Josh also played t-ball this spring, but he was on the Astros.  Fortunately for peace in our home, the boys’ teams never played each other.  Josh started Cub Scouts this Fall and is in a Wolf Den.  He enjoys all the meetings and really enjoys earning beads and belt loops.

Irene Jason and the boys survived another of Irene’s trips to Germany.  She was lucky enough to head across the ocean to see her sister this summer.  They meandered over to Neuschwanstein, Salzburg and Regensburg.  Rachel also introduced Irene to klettersteiging.  After which, Irene was inspired to start working out.  After which she was inspired to do the Primal Mud Run.  After which she was in a great deal of pain.

Jason This Summer, Jason also joined the gym.  This fall, he also got primal in the Primal Mud Run.  He enjoyed the obstacles and mud so much that he is already planning on doing another race in the spring.  He continues to teach AP World History and Ancient World History at Battlefield High School. He was also invited to join Kappa Delta Pi, an international honor society in education. 

We drove up to New York to see the Hill Cumorah Pageant this summer.  We also headed south to the Outer Banks for a couple of days on the beach before school started.  We went camping for the first time as a family and spent time hiking in the Shenandoah Mountains.  We drove to North Carolina to spend time with Irene’s brother before his deployment.  The boys also got to spend time with Grandma Jo and Great-Grandpa Roberts.

We have been blessed to have had a year filled with fun activities and family.  We hope you are also enjoying this holiday season!

Love, 

Jason, Irene, Josh, Michael and Ben 

Why I am the Grinch/Scrooge

1.  I can't wait until we get to take the tree down.  This might actually happen on the evening of December 25th.  We have had to rearrange the living room furniture and I feel claustrophobic.  Plus, Ben spends a lot of time taking the ornaments off of the tree and saying, "Sorry, Mommy."  And then refusing to put them back on.  ::Mommy banging. her. head. on. the. wall::

2.  Same with the decorations.  I don't have enough high, flat surfaces and Ben doesn't have enough self-control, so it looks like the Christmas box vomited on top of the entertainment center.  I don't normally keep a spotless house, but the amount of clutter in the front room is getting on my nerves.

3.  I am avoiding making any baked goods.  Feeling the no-gluten, no-sugar diet more than expected.  Toasting bread is making me salivate, so I am pretty sure that baking oatmeal or molasses or gingerbread cookies is a bad idea.

4.  I would like to get rid of Santa in our Christmas.  Horrible, huh?  And unlikely to happen since Santa figures prominently in many of our Christmas movies.  But, really.  I don't like using Santa to threaten the kids (among other reasons - no matter how bad they behave, they are going to get gifts for Christmas so it is an empty threat).  And I like the kids to actually thank the people who gave them gifts (even us) rather than feel entitled to gifts from a mythical figure.

5.  I think It's a Beautiful Life is an irritating movie.  One of Jason's favorite Christmas movies, I can't stand the non-stop Jimmy Stewart whine fest.  I do enough whining myself - I don't need to watch someone else do it.

6.  I also can't stand Mr. Krueger's Christmas.  I know this movie features the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, so I should somehow like it by association.  However, I don't listen to a lot of MoTab, so that does nothing for me.

7.  I find radio stations that play only Christmas music irritating.  Don't get me wrong: there is a lot of gorgeous Christmas music out there.  But not enough to play every day, all day starting before Thanksgiving straight through to Christmas.  And there is no kind of music I want to listen to all the time.


So, Bah Humbug and here's hoping my heart grows three sizes larger this year.

FHE

Last night for FHE and as part of our month of Christmas activities, we brought out the two Nativity toy sets.  While we read a book about the birth of Christ and talked about the events leading up to and after His birth, we had the boys put the Nativity figures in their respective stables.  The hope is that the hands-on experience will help reinforce hearing the story.

Which it did for Ben apparently.  While his brothers were getting their pajamas on, Ben rearranged all the figures as seen below.  He definitely got it right that Baby Jesus is the main attraction.

Decorated

This last Sunday morning, being both in the month of December and relatively free (church being in the afternoon), we decided to decorate for Christmas.  Because I need both emotional and physical separation between major holidays, I refuse to decorate for Christmas until December.  Kudos to you if you are ambitious enough and excited enough to do it earlier; I just can't handle it.

That being said, Sunday was the day.  We had all been crazy busy the day before, so this was a nice way to spend a Sunday morning.  Jason got all the boxes out of the attic and we reacquainted ourselves with decorations, books and toys we hadn't seen for 11 months.  That part is almost like Christmas by itself.  We forget what we have and are delighted to rediscover it all.  

First, the tree.  I have never had a real tree.  I am sure that Christmas tree purists will be aghast, but I don't really think I am missing out.  I have a difficult enough time keeping live plants alive; I can't begin to imagine what would happen to a dead plant in my care.  So, a fake tree it is.  I would like to say that we are just extraordinarily eco-friendly and striving to create a smaller carbon footprint, but it is really an issue of convenience.  Oh, and my mom is allergic to pine trees.  (At which point you are thinking, "What is it with this family and allergies?"  Honestly, I don't know.)  And since we really enjoy having her over, we stick to fake. 

Fighting a cold and an acute case of photographobia, I took pictures while Jason and the boys did most of the work.

Ben decided to be management and oversaw the operation.  Please note that he has his mini purple lightsaber at the ready should some Jedi discipline become necessary.

Our tree, mostly decorated.  The drawback of decorating the tree in the morning when our house faces east is that most pictures were horribly backlit.  But, you get the idea.

And Jason helped Batman put on the finishing touch.

We are now appropriately festive and ready for the rest of the month!

National Aquarium

Saturday was awesome.  The awesomeness of Saturday was exhausting.  The good kind of exhausting that only happens after awesome.

On Saturday, Jason took the boys (all of them - such a brave man!) to the National Aquarium in Baltimore.  This activity got rave reviews.  Upon arrival, Josh took hold of the map and directed the troops straight to the sharks.  After that, they went back to the beginning and went through the aquarium again so they could take a good look at everything else they rushed past in Josh's urgent march to the sharks.  

Sharks may be the new Star Wars.

In any case and in no particular order, here are the pictures from the aquarium.  I wasn't actually there, so some of my descriptions may be a bit vague.

Josh sitting on a bike rack.

Checking out the dolphins.  No show that day, but the trainers did show a little of how they train the dolphins.

Ben matching and lining up pictures.  Increases my concerns about toddler OCD.

Michael dressed as a turtle and showing Jason his turtle face.

Attack of the sharks.  Josh recently read a book about sharks written by the guy who wrote Jaws.  Thinking maybe I should have reviewed that book first.

Upside down jellyfish.

Not sure, but they look cool.

Jellyfish, presumably.  Jason would know, but he is upstairs and I am lazy.  Nice picture though.

Sneaky Ben darting out of the picture in front of the picture with the shark.

Nurse shark.  Josh's friend gave him a shark tooth necklace and after some research, he and Jason figured out it is a nurse shark tooth.  Josh was very excited to get to see one alive.

Some sort of tool named shark.  Or fish.  I have a hard time keeping these things straight.

Josh and Michael in a megalodon shark jaw.

Michael riding on a bike rack.

Meanwhile, back in Virginia, Rachel and I went on an 18-mile bike ride on the WO&D trail.  We biked from Vienna to Alexandria.  It was a lovely ride.  I was, however, more than ready to take the Metro back to Vienna rather than bike back.  We got to Dad and Diane's (the base of our operations for the day) just before Jason and the boys did.  Pretty much just a great day.