Christmas 2012: Part I & II

Christmas with the extended Ploegs and Christmas with "just us" Ploegs is in the history books.  And while I love Christmas -- for the blessing of Christ, family, fun and festivities -- I'm ready shut the door on this part of Christmas 2012.  We have been battling sickness as a family since before Thanksgiving and for Christmas this year, Santa brought us 3 ear infections (one each), 3 sinus infections, and at least one (but probably 3) cases of croup for the boys.  Merry Christmas!  Needless to say, they were less than their cute and cuddly, funny and lovable selves. Sure, there were moments of sweetness, moments of joy, moments of fun ... but overall, it could have been better.  I say this, not for sympathy, not to focus on the crummy, but I guess so that 1) I remember that they weren't always healthy (because in general they ARE healthy), 2) I can laugh about it later?  Anyway, here are some outtakes from the festivities:


Christmas 2012 at the Ploegs

Presents!

Daddy & sleepy Lukie

Christmas at home: Lukie and a fun box

Christmas at home: Toolboxes for the Twins!

In other news, 1) antibiotics are amazing and 2) snow!  Sam & Tyler have been talking about snow for weeks (ever since the first dusting of snow) and are so pumped that it has finally arrived. 


Snow Angel Tyler

Snow Angel Sam

Our First Snowman!

Our new sled -- with daddy

My sweet Lucas

Stockings

I finally got around to it ... yes, Lukie is now over a year old but he finally has his own stocking!  Why I decided to make them (after purchasing the ones for me and Jack), I still don't know but it's done! 

Away in a Manger

Sorry grandparents, I did not warn you about the Seymour Christmas program ... it's been a busy week (complete with another double ear infection and croup for Lukie) so we just wanted to keep it simple tonight. 

Here are Seymour's Little Lambs (2-4 year olds)!

In other events this week, we had our well-child visits for all three kids and besides the ears and croup noted above, they are doing pretty well.  Sam is 75% for height, 50% for weight; both Tyler and Lucas were about 95% for both height and weight.  The twins' skin is still an issue and we are planning on retesting allergies in the new year (but NOTHING yet for Lucas).

Birthday Week Bonanza

This week, my babies turned 3 and 1.  It's amazing to look back and 1) think of what we wanted for for so long, 2) remember the amazing-ness of their births 3) think how far we've come since we first became parents.  It's been a wild, crazy ride -- for the last three + years and for even just the last week!

Our week of celebrations started with the VanderLugt's -- we even got to include Levi in our bunch!!

Birthday boys: Tyler, Lucas, Levi, & Samuel

Sam & Ty love the birthday candles!

Lucas getting into his cupcake

Sam, Momma, & Tyler



 We also had multiple celebrations in our home throughout the week, mostly just lighting and blowing out candles on the cupccakes (over and over).

 



And finally, we concluded our birthday week celebration with the Ploeg's over at our house for an evening of pizza, presents, and ping pong.

Lucas enjoys cake and ice cream



Birthday presents!

Grandpa and Tony get in on the ping pong action

It was a fun week of celebrations and we are so thankful for our boys and our family who love our boys and shower us with love and presents!  We are so blessed!