Home Videos (Christmas Morning)

We arrived home around midnight.  Put the girls to bed and got to work getting Christmas ready.

James grew up with the tradition of waking up Christmas morning and waiting for his Mom and Dad to tell them they can come see what Santa brought.  This way his parents have time to start a fire and turn on Christmas music before they opened presents.  We've decided to continue this fun tradition.  So on Christmas morning James started a fire and turned on Christmas music while I changed Grace's diaper.  When it was time I went into the living room to record the girl's reactions. 

  

First response on Christmas Morning

When we would ask Gwenevere what she wanted Santa to bring her she would say "A kitten in a purse."  Santa also found the rocking chair at a garage sale for 3 dollars and misses Claus found a great deal online for the camera.  But i love the fact the Gwenevere went for her kitty.  It was her favorite toy.

Grace opening Grandmas Sharolee's gift

Gwenevere opening Grandma Sharolee's gift

after opening the barbie doll we took a break from opening up gifts to play with our new toys and eat some breakfast.

Grace opening up Grandma and Grandpa Thomas' gift.

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Gwenevere opening up Grandma and Grandpa Thomas' gift.

Opening up Grandpa Roemhildt's gift

Playing with her toy

Merry Christmas

Last night we where in the car driving to Grandpa Roemhildt's house for dinner and Gwenevere was talking about Christmas.  Grace wanted to join in on the conversation so she started Singing.  Usually she likes to sing Jingle bells when we talk about Christmas to this time she started singing the Christ Child's name.  "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."  It was beautiful.  I'm so glad my little baby understands the meaning of Christmas.

too smart

To the concerned:  I was very carefully watching the whole process described below.

Today Grace found a box of matches on the coffee table she opened the box pulled out one match and then started rubbing the match against the boxes.  This where a decided I better step in.  I told Grace "No no.  put the matches back".  She looked up at me and said "No."  Then continued by saying "Candles".

I quickly corrected her and helped Grace put the matches back.

This girls is too smart.

I love it,

Gwenevere's sayings

Lately we've been trying to eat healthier.  And this month I added Organic Whole Milk to the grocery list.  The other day I gave Gwenevere a glass of milk, she took one drink and with a disgusted look ask:
"Mom, did this come from your boob?"  

Family Pictures and a brake in

You know family pictures will have a lasting impression, not because the photo turn out well but more likely because of the story behind the pictures.

Well this years family pictures will always be remember because of the story behind them.

Mid November I decided we would have our family pictures taken.  My friend offered to take our pictures for free and I wasn't about to let a free photo shoot go by.  So one Monday afternoon when the sun was shining we crammed into the car and drove down to the park to take some pictures.  The pictures turned out great, even though Grace was tired and James wasn't too excited to being taking family pictures yet again. We had so many fun pictures I couldn't decide which where my favorite so here are a few, I mean many of my favorites.

 

 

 

  

 

After a great photo sessen we walked back to our car only to find  this.

yep, we've lived in Tacoma for 3 years and we finally had someone brake into our car.  Of course they had to brake a window in our "nice" car (our 2001 Saturn).  It's been an interesting few weeks as we've closed bank accounts, replace the car window, and had to shop for a new wallet and diaper bag.  yep my Christmas present this year was a new diaper bag.  Oh well.

With everything that could have happened the whole experience was actually quite stress free for the most part.  Which has been a big blessing.  I don't understand how we are so blessed all the time but i'd like to think it's because we pay a full tithe.  :-)

So when you get our Christmas card in the mail this year, you can remember the story behind the family portraits   :-)  

I got my happy back

For family history purpose only it must be documented.

the last few months have been a bit trying for me, mostly because I had a very unhappy baby.

When Grace was born, I laughed.  She brought a since of joy to our family and to me that I had never felt before.   I first wanted to name her Grace Kahana after a beautiful beach on Oahu that brought peace to me.  But it just didn't quite fit.  Then James came up with the idea to call her Grace Ligaya (meaning Happiness in Tagolog).  The name fit so well their was no questioning the idea.  When we first called Grace by her full name: Grace Ligaya Roemhildt, she smiled, and I knew she knew that was her name.


I often say Grace is 100% emotion and she's not afraid to show it.  When she's happy the whole world is happy, nothing can change her beautiful smile.  But when she's mad or sad or tired or upset, the whole house knows and it can be draining sometimes.

So for the past few months I have lived with a very unhappy baby.  I told myself, this is just a phase, when she starts walking she will be happy again.  But then she started walking and still unhappy.  So I told myself this is just a phase when she gets her teeth to come in she'll be happy, but 6 teeth later she was still unhappy.  I began to wonder if I would never have a happy Grace again.

But then it happened.  I woke up one morning and after a few hours realized something was different.  It took me a few days to connect the dots but then it hit me:  Grace was Happy!  Hallelujah!  Angels did sing, for Grace was happy.

And then I noticed something else.  Grace was talking, and talking and talking.  Reading books and talking and really talking.  :-)  Not only are our my girls cute but they are smart.

I can not stop smiling, for my little Ligaya is back.

Grace, I want you to know, you can always overcome your unhappiness.

Check out that "Cheese" smile

That is a lot of happy