Christmas 2015

This year we got to spend 4 full days around Christmas in Cleveland with the March Family. It was very relaxing and memorable! 

The weather was so nice and warm for this time of the year so we enjoyed

Time outside hiking, feeding the birds at the park, running and visiting a beautiful light display.

We missed Aunt Alex and Uncle Genio in Cleveland this year but we had a wonderful time with The rest of the family.  Jack was very into Christmas this year which was adorable and made the entire season so exciting! I haven't felt that excited for Christmas since I was a kid! Everything to Jack was "amazing" "so cool" "Jack be excited" "Santas COMING!" And "happy birthday Jesus" was sung over and over. Everything about Christmas this year was so special and perfect. 

Christmas morning Jack and Elisabeth were spoiled by Grandma and Grandpa and all his aunts and uncles! We were so thankful to everyone! 

Thank you to the March family for

Making our Christmas so memorable and special this year! 

The Sunday before Christmas we celebrated a small Christmas with our family and invited Mom and Bill over for a delicious and fancy dinner! I wanted a chance to celebrate around our tree and a chance to cook a yummy Christmas dinner!

We first visited the Live Nativity at Krohns Conservatory with Oma and Opa, mom and Bill and our family. It was beautiful as always, Jack was in heaven and singing "awAy in a manger" loud and clear for all to hear! Kids are the best!

I unfortunately didn't snap any pictures of our house that evening but Joe and I were proud of our fancy dinner - steak, potatoes, green beans and a beautiful salad all served on our China with wine and Christmas cookies for dessert! I loved getting to host Mom and Bill and it felt special to kick off Christmas week at home with our kids!

The Monday before Christmas, the kids and I made sure to visit Oma and Opa since we would be missing Christmas Eve at their house this year and we wanted to make sure to spend some special time with them and of course eat Oma's Christmas cookies!! 

Following Christmas in Cleveland we spent the Sunday after Christmas celebrating with the Wetterau side (except we really missed Tante Amy and  Uncle Zhenya) My Mom made a delicious brunch and we all enjoyed exchanging gifts. Mom and Bill and the Meyer family were so generous to our kids and we are again so thankful!

We value time with our families so much and we had the perfect dose of each family over the last few weeks - it's a good reminder of how truly blessed and loved we are!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from the March Family! 2015 

Six Months!

Our sweet baby girl is 6 months old today!! Time is flying and she is getting cuter everyday. 

She sits up by herself, holds onto things when standing, grabs for lots of toys, and is such a smiley baby! 

She laughs at everything and has a such a calm, sweet personality. She really likes faces and will light up anytime someone looks at her. 

She got to celebrate her first Christmas this month and visit many festive events around town - she's a good traveler and an easy baby - we are so blessed! 

She tried a little banana and a little egg yolk a few weeks ago and seemed to enjoy it - then I forgot to give it to her again (poor second child) - so I'll try some foods again with her soon! This girl loves her milk though and she's got some great thighs to prove it! 

Her favorite things are being tickled by her brother and papa, snuggling, being outside, being worn by mama and papa, nursing, chewing on anything she can get her little hands on, jack, and her best bud Oliver.

Happy six months little lady Jane! You brighten our world! 

Advent

This year we are working hard at our house to observe the weeks of Advent and be present in the days leading up to Christmas! We have been spending time teaching Jack the meaning of Advent and  Christmas. We also have been talking about the importance of our preparation for the special day not being centered around shopping and stress, but Instead around family time, prayer, reading from our Advent book, and playing and learning about the many nativity sets spread around our home! Although Jack may not understand all of this that we are trying to teach him he can definitely feed off our calmness leading up to the holiday. We intentionally keep the gift giving small in our family which allows us to stay away from all the busy stores and just enjoy time together during Advent.

That being said, we do enjoy visiting the sights around town that have decorated for Christmas to get us in the spirit! The zoo lights, the train museum, Christmas story times, Christmas tree lightings, watching the ice skaters downtown, the live nativity at Krohn's Conservatory, decorating our home, and walks around the neighborhood to enjoy the festive decorations! 

That first time Papa turned on the lights! Pure amazement!

Silly nights in the matching Christmas jams!

We even got a special visit from Saint Nicholas (who visited our house and Omi's house!) 

Saint Nicholas brought gingerbread men to Omi's house and we got to spend the afternoon with Henry decorating them!

My favorite part was that the boys didn't know that the gingerbread man's "clothes" were actually edible!

Such a wonderful time of the year - and all these 65 degree days we've been having is making it even better! Happy Advent!