Merry Christmas!

So like everything else in life with children, things don't always go as planned.  Our whole little family was very sick this Christmas---so sick in fact that Christmas Eve with my mom's side at our house was cancelled! Tyler was the best of all of us, and yet his cough was terrible! Hailey was all boogers, coughs, and way over tired. Scott had a runny nose, and I had a combo. What a way to celebrate right? Well, even with all of us sick, we managed to pull it together for a great Christmas day! After some night quill, day quill, kleenex, hot tea and good food we snapped  pics and opened  gifts! Everyone( as usual!) was soo generous.  Ty and Hailey are so lucky to be loved so much!  Scott and I got some amazing presents as well! Thank you! Santa brought everything on Tyler and Hailey's list---and our elf Andy left a great note to the kids.  We will  miss him until next year! My  favorite memories of this Christmas are--- when I was upstairs getting breakfast ready, Scott was down with the kids. He came up for a cup of coffee and we were just chatting etc.  Suddenly we both realized it was really really quiet, so we headed back to the family room.  Oh man, we both started busting out laughing. Miss Hailey found the cookies Santa didn't finish by the fireplace and was DEVOURING them--her face and hands covered in frosting and sprinkles.  As soon as we called her name, she turned and gave us this big grin and then kept at it, like we were interrupting her! hahaha. That girlie!  All Tyler wanted this Christmas was the Bucky Pirate Ship.  Needless to say, Santa had that one tucked far under the tree---so when Tyler opened Captain Hook's Skull Rock, he said, "All I wanted was Bucky for Christmas, Santa forgot.(with disappointment all over his cute sick face)"  Then he looked and saw that last present under the tree and said, "That must be Bucky. Santa got it for me I'm sure!" He was so excited and opened it super fast.  Bucky has been attached to his hand ever since---thanks Santa! I say it all the time, but I really am lucky to have such a wonderful family, extended family and friends.  I hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!



Daddy's little princess! She looked so beautiful for someone who was sick!




My sick kids sharing their germs with Uncle Mark! =)




Tyler loved his big boy bike--Hailey got a bike too!




Me and my lovies!



Hailey and her godfathers at Papa's Christmas



Ty getting a smooch from  his godmother Auntie Sami!



The kids made a house of presents from the Reichel side---
check out the snowman wrapped presents from Angela! So cute! 



I'll have a Blue Christmas----

It happened. Tuesday when I picked Ty  up from school I noticed that only half of his preschool class was there, and once he started walking with me to the car, I just knew. The coughing started then, and well, it hasn't stopped! The poor kid has missed school, gymnastics, a Pavey Christmas  all because he is sick! I took both him and Hailey in to the Dr. Friday hoping he would tell me they would be good for Christmas, but that wasn't exactly what he said. haha. Basically, Ty is in peak of his VERY nasty cold, and Hailey is fighting it, but hers is just starting. WHAT?!?! Her first Christmas sick?!!? So needless to say, I have been nursing on call(thank goodness I have extra stored!) cooking anything they will actually eat,  and cleaning! Scott has been such a huge help, because 2 sick kids are no easy task! Luckily Hailey isn't as bad as Tyler, so on Saturday her and I  were able to sneak out to Pavey's just us girls.  It was so nice to get out of the house and spend some time with Scott's family! Let's hope everyone is better by tomorrow when there are more festivities taking place----ahhh!!!!



All set to go to Pavey's!



Hailey did a great job opening gifts---and loved all of them! Thanks guys!



Her Majesty and her new throne!





My sick little man. This was one of  the first smiles in days! 




So excited for a new movie from Charlie!



Fa la la

I can't believe Christmas is right around the corner!  I knew it would sneak up on me, especially since we are still staying busy.  We checked out lights at Northpark in Arlington Hts. and exchanged gifts with the Foleys.



Enjoying the lights




So cute these two!



The five of them! Crazy how time flies!

Miss Hailey is just cracking me up more and more~she is sooo girlie! Lately she will not leave home without a necklace on! (I'm sure many of you noticed that in our Christmas Cards) Imagine what it will be like once she gets hair! hahaha!



Getting herself all dolled up. She even pretends to put make up on!



Tyler, oh my sweet boy. He just melts my heart. He mentioned that we don't get any alone time anymore, so  he arranged with his dad to take me out on a date. Saturday we went shopping for a gift for him to give his sister, then to lunch at California Pizza Kitchen. He was the perfect gentleman and paid all by himself! And to top it off, he bought me the most amazing cupcake from a food truck for dessert! He is going to be the best husband---I wonder where he gets it from. =)

Me and my handsome little man



It was such a great lunch! Thanks Tyler!



It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

December is always busy---with all great things! We had Scott's company party at the Abbey in Lake Geneva, a Ubert Christmas, a visit with Santa, checked out the lights at the zoo, and of course cut down our Christmas tree! It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


Hailey was sooo not a fan of the "snow". Lets hope she likes the real thing better!



These two love each other so much. 

Our little munchkin. She has been so serious lately when I try to snap a pic, so had to post one of her half smile. hahah



Our family---totally would've been our Christmas card if my hair wasn't in my face! haha




Hailey and her bestie Quinn. Adorable with all their layers!




My two favorite boys---so special!



Ty was so proud of the art he made at the zoo. When did he get so old?




Picking our tree--a fun tradition!




Always wanting to help! Is it really safe for a 3 year old to use a saw? =)



Like father, like son



Hailey was trying so hard to wake Tyler up---she was giggling the whole time!



Really?!?!?!

Before I post some fabulous new pics, just have to share my "really" moments that make me laugh!

Some of Tyler's quotes-----"It's a great day to have a bank account!" What 3 year old is so concerned about this?!? When his favorite barista at Caribou asked him if he would like a cookie(our usual stop at 7 on Sat mornings)---"No thank you, I didn't eat breakfast yet!" What kid turns down a cookie? And last but not least "Dad, I need some help. My stinks smell like the penguins at the zoo." REALLY TY?!?!?!

And of course Miss Hailey has her "really" moments too----She thinks she can walk! Well, it is true, she can, and is getting more and more brave by the day.  Currently she can walk about 5 steps before she decides to fall or crawl again.  She is so close and I know its just a matter of time before my life turns to pure chaos.... And she is still my diva. She gets very mad and will yell at me if I don't let her pick out her own shoes. REALLY?!?! I am going to have it rough when she is 16! Hahaha.  LOVE her!