Christmas Morning

This year I think I was more excited waiting for the kids to open their presents than they were- or a close 2nd! I found a few things that I just new they would love and couldn't wait to see the expressions on their faces!

Chloe loves to draw and make pictures or cards for everyone, and she loves Robots. I searched and searched and finally found the perfect gift. A robot that she can play with, but it's chest also opens up and has Robot stationary inside.

And Caleb's big thing this year was getting "boy" Zhu Zhu pets!


Chloe seeing her Penguin Pillowpet from Santa!

Caleb seeing his Dog Pillowpet from Santa!

BIG HUGS!!!

Race Cars!

falling down hugging her Robot, she was so excited!

The Robot

Chris on Christmas morning

Bartlett Family Christmas (#2)

This year we got together with Chris's immediate family to open presents on Christmas Eve. It allowed us to have our own time as separate families on Christmas morning before all coming together later in the day, while still allowing us to all get together just as an immediate family.
The kids really enjoyed having it at Uncle Mike & Aunt Valerie's house this year because of their new cats. They are still getting used to having people around, but seemed to warm up to us the longer we were there. One of the cats even stayed out near us to take a nap, and then later went investigating the mysterious bag of wrapping paper.

This picture is just "Caleb" (this is how he walks around most of the time- don't know what he would do if he had pants without pockets!)

One of the kitties taking a nap



The hardest game ever - Chairs- (I think they only ever got it 5 or 6 chairs high)

O'Neal/Fitch Christmas Party (Christmas #1)

Every year since before I was born my family (The Fitch's) get together with the O'Neal's for an annual Christmas party. My dad is an only child and grew up with the kids in the O'Neal family. We consider them family. Over the last few years it has gotten even more fun with us younger generation adding some kiddos of our own to the mix. The only thing that could've made it better was having my sisters there.

Chloe making pictures and cards for everyone!

Bill & Phyllis

Lydia, Kayla, Ali & Jane

The Guys talkin'- Tom & Mike

Leap Frog

Presents (yippee a traveling art station for each kid!)

Lydia & Ruby helping Caleb learn how to play Hangman

Grandma Tammy

Patty & Jane

Mary saying Hi to Caleb as he snaps a picture.

The Gang! (Patty, Tom, Mary, (my dad) Mike, & Kathy)

Family photo!

Caleb did a little too much "cheese" at the party I think!(family photo with my mom & dad)

Ruby, Caleb, Chloe & Jane doing silly faces.

The kids opening presents the next morning with their Great Grandma Rosie.

Caleb so happy to have his own Tinkertoys finally! (Chloe has had a set for at least a year, builds robots with them and never takes them apart, leaving almost no tinkertoys to build with!!)

Gingerbread Decorating

Finally the kids are well! Chloe was able to go to school for her last day before the break for their big class party. The kids got to decorate gingerbread men, eat lots of goodies and play a couple of games. Grandma Patti, Caleb and I were all able to come join in the fun.

Christmas Picture

So I finally got around to getting the kids dressed up, together and smiling at the same time.
What a feat!! We have had 2 sick kids here at the house since right after Thanksgiving. Hopefully the end of it was Monday, which ended with us taking Caleb to the hospital. He was extremely dehydrated from throwing up (Friday-Monday), and the dehydration was causing him to keep throwing up. What a vicious cycle he was on! Glad I took him in to the doctor!

He is almost back to normal, fighting with his sister and begging me for snacks all day long. Glad to have healthy kids again!!
Hoping this was our major "bug" for the year so that we can enjoy family and friends during these next 2 weeks.

Happy Holidays!

The "O" Man

Here's a great picture of the kids with the "O" guy from the Beaver football games. I love Caleb's expression!