Almost Forgot...

Some big news at the Stockhoff household…besides the fact that Andy accepted a job in Houston for after Grad School (can you say summer heat?) we are also happy to announce that…..

Baby #3 will be making his/her debut at the beginning of July this year.  We find out the gender in just a week and a half. We are so excited! 

Since Christmas….

In an effort to do the last of my catching up all in one blog post, here is a short list of things we've done this month…..

1.  Played and played with our Christmas toys..

2. Joined the New England Historic Genealogical Society and worked on some of Andy's family history.

3.  Naps, Naps and more Naps (we are on break, after all). 

4.  Celebrated my 32nd birthday.  Andy took me out to this great Turkish/Mediterranean restaurant that was by far one of the best meals I've ever had.  Also had dinner with friends and spent quality time with my family.  It was one of my best birthdays ever. 

5. Had family come visit from Maryland…and we did fun stuff like (guys) going to a Celtics vs. Lakers game...

Guys also went to a hockey game.  We all hit up the museum and got to ride the shuttle over (the kids love the Harvard shuttle).  

I am a Child of God.  I love her face 

6. Played with our friends in the hallway, in our PJs (Noah). 

7. Watched Clare develop her fashion sense. 

and 8.  Took a little train ride downtown one afternoon.  It was great fun. 

There you have it, friends.  And here we are at this moment.  Pray for me, maybe I will be able to keep it up this time :) Until then! xo. 

Christmas - Ohio Style

This year we spent Christmas in Ohio with Andy's brother, Greg, and his family (wife and three boys). We were so excited to spend this year with them at their new home.  The 13 hour drive was a little overwhelming, but totally wort it once we arrived - not to mention the kids did really really well on the long drive.  

I can say, without reservation, that there was a lot of playing going on with the kids.  They were going from sun up, to sun down (literally).  They had so much fun together and  played so well,  I couldn't have asked for it to have gone better.  Clare got in on the fun too, and they all had the best time.  It makes me so happy to see this, because I have such fond memories playing with my cousins as a child.  I love seeing my kids create similar memories.

Allice and I did a lot of baking for their neighbors….A LOT! 

And on Christmas eve we had our traditional pizza and root beer float dinner…

After dinner we got in our PJs and read the Nativity story from the scriptures and talked about the birth of Jesus.  I loved doing this with the kids and seeing out involved they were with setting up the nativity.  

After reading the nativity the kids opened one little gift.  Then they decided to put the bows on their faces and put themselves under the tree.  It was too funny and they thought they were hilarious. 

Christmas morning our kids woke up at around 7:30, much later than any Christmas in the past!  It felt great to sleep a little longer.  The kids were immediately ready to head downstairs and see their gifts, but we as parents had to make it as painful as possible for them.  We all used the bathroom, brushed our teeth etc.  I figure my parents did that to me, I need to pay it forward. ha! 

Then, the unwrapping commenced!  Noah got mostly cars, from the movie, which he was so excited about.  He also got a few other things from family that he was just as happy with (tools etc).  Clare got a cabbage patch doll, because I had one and adored it, so I figured she needed one as well. 

Obviously they made off like little bandits.  It was really wonderful to see how happy they were and to share the generosity of all our family members too.  

The remainder of our trip was spent doing things as a family…the zoo, the museum, the mall.   There were also a lot of nerf gun fights.  It was perfect! 

The picture above is arguably my favorite picture from the Ohio trip.  We sure love this clan. xo