Christmas Eve Pictures

Okay, I just might attempt to try catching up on blogging from some of the events of these last 6 weeks... I am starting to come out of the fog, but am also still adjusting to even less sleep than usual, and dealing with 4 little boys cooped up inside during the intense winter weather we've been having. Sigh.

Anyways, here are some pictures from Christmas Eve, right before we headed off to church.

Our family of 7. :)



Ethan, Caleb, and Kellan (notice Aidan sulking in the background with his blankie, never did get a picture of all four)



Ethan, Aidan, and Kellan. Why am I ever surprised when people continually mistake them for triplets?



Quinn, not amused in his Santa Hat.


























Right before bed, after opening up their Christmas Jammies. And my, were they wired that night. It was all grandma Joy and I could do to go through the bedtime routines and wrangle them to bed.

Caleb

It is so fun to watch the growth of Caleb's understanding and use of language. He is developing quite the sense of humor. We love hearing him use higher vocabulary (even when he doesn't get it quite right) and new expressions. A few recent examples...

Caleb: Mom, would you play checkers with me?

Me: I'd love to, but I'll probably win. (in a fun teasing tone)

Caleb, shrugging his shoulders after some serious pondering and with a twinge of sarcasm: I'm okay with that.


Then, after I hugged and tickled him a bit, telling him what a clever silly kid he was, and I guess I got my hand in his eye a bit, he says with a grin, "Mom, you almost lost my eyesight."


Last week, we were playing a word game at the dinner table, in which you had to think of something, give a couple clues, and then have others guess what you were thinking of, he comes up with this:

"What is white with black spots?" (we guess, a dalmation)
"Another clue? it goes with milk" (we guess, a cookie?)
"Nope," he says, "a cow, goes with milk, get it?"

Another time he was just playing verbally with daddy:
Caleb: I'm thinking of a two letter word.
Weston: it?
Caleb: no
Weston: he?
Caleb: no
Weston: me?
Caleb: no
Weston, sensing this could go on a really long time: okay buddy, I give up, what is it?
Caleb, with a smirk: I'll give you a hint, I was saying it over and over again. "no"

Had to buy a present for Quinn.

We took the older boys to the dollar store to pick out some Christmas presents. Always fun to see what they come up with, and their pride upon giving it. We decided not to have them buy for the one-week old... but Caleb insisted. With his own money, he bought him this lizard (salamander?). He was so excited to wrap it, and give it to him on Christmas morning. And he loves to put it near him whenever he cries. Too sweet.

More Pictures from Quinn's Arrival

Here he is with mommy soon after his birth.



The big boys were SO excited to meet their new little bro. I love this picture, and how it shows the amazement on their faces.


Sweet big brothers.




































Finally big brothers.


































































With Daddy.

























With Grandma Joy.

Announcing... Quinn Josiah Oxley!

Born, as scheduled, Thursday, December 17th, at 8:44AM. He weighed in at 8lbs. 4oz. (our biggest!) and measured 20 inches.

He is as sweet as sweet can be, and we are delighting in having a newborn around. I just want to sit and stare at him all day. And his brothers are giving him plenty of attention.

This c-section was the hardest recovery yet... they had a lot of trouble with the spinal, and then I experienced quite the spinal headache for a couple days afterwards. Not fun. They did a blood patch that thankfully worked well, but I am still not quite back to normal yet. Came home from the hospital on Sunday, and thankfully, Grandma Joy is here to ease my transition back into being a full-time mommy.

First Snow

Woke up last week to our first snowfall. The twins especially were excited as they probably don't remember it too clearly from last year. It was a Monday, so daddy was home and able to take them out to play in it, and to build a snowman. They were some pretty excited little boys. (Except for poor Caleb, who had school...)

Big Boy Beds

Finally transitioned the twins. After a couple days of camping out by their door, being the 'enforcer of staying in bed' for an hour plus, they seem to be handling it pretty well. We've had to dole out a few spankings, but not as many as I'd anticipated. They are certainly pretty cute though... And last Saturday was the first morning they've been able to pad their little feet down the hall and climb into mommy and daddy's bed for a little snuggle before we all got up. So precious. And yes, they still suck their thumbs...

Cutest Tooth Brushing Ever

Anticipating His Arrival

Less than 2 days before Baby Quinn is scheduled to make his arrival into the world. We are all getting pretty excited around here, especially the boys. Just wanted to post a few pictures.

Christmas Performance

Caleb is old enough to participate in the God's Kids Choir this year. They practice each Sunday evening, and performed their first musical last Sunday. He was a singing sheep, as all the younger kiddos were. He was pretty cute up there, and was grooving/snapping along hamming it up the whole time.


Aidan also got to perform a song, (Away in A Manger) with the preschoolers. I was worried about the antics he might try, especially when they stood him next to his buddy/partner in crime, but they did great. No real silliness at all, just enthusiastic sweet singing.

So fun to watch our boys praising Jesus on stage! :)