Our Birthday Party!

Christmas morning

Loving on her brother!

Jack Sparro and Storm trooper!

Christmas Eve Service 2009

Celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ!

Christmas was amazing this year. We enjoyed Christmas Eve by going to our church and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and then when we got home we had a birthday party for Jesus. My mom made a homemade Red Velvet cake and we had Adam and Michelle over for diner. It was so nice to gather around the cake and sing Happy Birthday to our savior. Christian loved the fact that we were celebrating Jesus birthday. Christmas morning we kept the kids in their beds until my mom and step dad woke up and then once everyone was down stairs and the camera was out we let Christian make his way down into the living room. He was so Happy. Such sweet memories. He had fun going through the Santa sack opening various gifts from MiMi and Papa Toe. He got a new kitchen and alot of costumes. I didn't know if it was Halloween or Christmas. He loves dressing up. Avah got a cabbage patch doll which was sentimental to me because I loved them when I was growing up. My mom suprised be and bought me a coach watch. I must say I was def. shocked. My mom and stepdad left for Canada this morning and my in-laws are in route to our house right now. More time with family! I cannot wait!!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas Love the Welch Family!

Ice (It really is 9 degrees)

The Nativity

Colin and Christian

Mimi, Me and Avah ontop of the Ice bridge!
Avah being silly after the exhibit!

Well we froze our little booties off this morning! They advertised ICE as being 9 degrees cold but seriously how cold is 9 degrees lol. We walked in the building after standing in line for 20 minutes outside and though it was awesome. We waited in line for the tickets and then to get our parka's. Right as you stood by the opening you could feel the freezing cold air. Avah wasn't having it so I took her out of the stroller and loaded her up in the Beco with the parka on top of us. I had my ski jacket on underneath and gloves but poor little Avah was freezing. The exhibits were beautiful but the cold was to much to bear. I ran through it with Avah so that she didn't have to freeze. Christian just walked around in Awe. The last exhibit was pretty awesome. They had carved out the nativity. It was so impressive especially since they were celebrating Jesus birthday with the rest of the general public. It was He also went down the Ice slide by himself which was pretty funny! We had a great time will be do it again, prolly not. After we did Ice we walked down to the Gaylord to have hot chocolate and cookies. Yummy. Now most of everyone is taking a nap and of course you guessed it, I'm blogging!

Botanical Gardens!

Beautiful Flower!

Burrr It's Cold!

Christian and MIMI

In the Tunnel at the train exhibit!

We finally got out of the house after being stuck inside for three days. We decided to head out to the botanical gardens and the air and space museum. I enjoyed the botanical gardens but wish that the trains would have been through out the entire museum and not just the two exhibits that they had. Avah and Christian did exceptionally well since it was extremely cold out. My step dad was so awesome he dropped us off at the front door and then picked us up when we were done :-)

Let it Snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

Mi Mi and Christian! Round 50 in the snow!

Testing out the new camera! Impressive!

Avah and her pearls!

Snow Angels!

Digging!

Snow Cute! HAHA

Beautiful Brown eyes(Nikon)
Kisses for Sissy!

And so it did! We had our first big snow ever! At first it was pretty but then it just wouldn't stop coming down. When Christian woke up he was so excited. On Friday night we had diner with friends and she so kindly gave Christian a snow suite that her son had out grown. What a blessing. On Saturday he played in the snow for hours. Colin shoveled all day Saturday and by Sunday he was worn out. My mom and Step-dad made the journey up from Florida to Va. They had rough ride. They left their house at 4:30 in the morning and did not get here until 11:00 at night. They were in Richmond by 5 but it took them from 5 until 11 to get to Woodbridge. That's just insane. They rolled down the window and asked Santa Clause literally a truck driver dressed up as Santa Clause what the deal was and they had actually shut down interstate 95. Just crazy. We were a little bummed that Christian didn't get to see them until morning but it is always worth the wait. He was so excited. Now back to the snow. Christian played outside for hours and then when he would return inside we would make hot chocolate to warm him up. I also enjoyed it a little as this was my first really big snow ever! I was impressed at the amount of snow there was but not impressed by how many people unfortunatly cannot drive in these conditions. Last night(Sunday) we went down to Costco to get my new camera! Thankyou Colin. We purchased a Nikon D5000 and I must say I am in love with it. I'm having alot of fun taking pictures and creating memories that will last forever. As for now it's time to go back to enjoying the family. We are truly blessed that they are here.

5 More days!

We had made an official countdown to when MIMI and PAPA Toe will get here. Only Five more days. Christian has been saying five more days since 29 days haha. Next week we have a busy week ahead of us. We will be going to the botanical garden display, The Gaylord hotel, Christian's school sing a long on Tuesday, and last but not least Ice Skating. We cannot wait to PAPA on skates. He's from Canada and played hockey his whole life. Should be a great time. This past weekend I had the opportunity to go out on Saturday night to Celebrate some lovely lady's birthday. We went out to Shirlington and had a great time. The atmosphere was aweswome and It was just simply a nice evening out with friends and NO kids. AHHHHHH

An attempt at our first Gingerbread house!

He was so proud!

Here is our Jesus House! (Great idea Christian)

So proud of his house!

It fell apart so we had to put it back together! lol

I knew that the weather would be yucky this morning and I needed to keep Christian occupied with something so we headed out to Micheal's last night to pick up a gingerbread house. Christian was super excited that it would be our own thing. Avah was taking a nap while Christian and I were decorating the house. He was very helpful and listened very well. You could tell that he really enjoyed making the house. He didn't call it his house he called it Jesus' house. He sang Happy Birthday to Jesus the whole time we made it. So sweet to think of that. I think we will do this every year just me and Christian our own thing. I love my little man!

Grandparent's day!

Teri and Christian playing at the fuzzy ball table!

Teri and Christian!

This year at Christian's school they celebrated the kids Grandparent's. We celebrated the relationship of a wonderful friend who fills Christian's heart with love and joy just like his real grandparent's. Teri is such an amazing woman and took the time out of her day to join Christian at his school for grandparent's day. I don't even know if she knows how much this meant to me. It truly has touched my heart especially Christian's heart. He still talks about how Mrs. Teri joined him at school. We are so fortunate to know such a wonderful person. We love her very much and appreciate everything that she has done for us and our family. Thank you Teri!

Snow day!

This was the highlight of our weekend!

Me and Christian out in the snow!

I love this picture! He is so happy to be in the snow!

Yesterday was our first snow day of the winter season. Christian was amazed. He stared at the back door all morning asking constantly if he could go out and play in the snow. Finally right before his nap we took him out and I don't know who had more fun Christian or us. It was my first time to actually make a real snowman. It was AWESOME. I started rolling the ball of snow and when I looked down there was a huge track behind me and a huge ball of snow. I must say I had a blast playing in the snow. Christian really loved making snow balls and throwing them at anyone who was in his path. We had a great time out in the snow. Avah was upstairs asleep(I mean screaming) in her room. We think that she has an ear infection and a cold and of course your kids sickness always gets worse on a Saturday or Sunday when nothing is open. We also installed our new microwave this morning. The Milne's had been letting us borrow there microwave so we finally decided that it was time to return it. Plus we got a great deal on black Friday and it actually turned out to work for us.