whobody is getting ready for Christmas?

1. Get a Christmas Tree (check.)

We went to our favorite Christmas tree farm on Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend and got our perfect Christmas tree.  We had lots of fun, and stopped at Pizza Hut on the way home.  We just love cutting our own Christmas tree....but this one has taken SO much water. In fact, the night we left to go to the hospital for Cruz's birth, Jason told my mom "well, the kids will all sleep through the night...but the tree needs to be watered every 3 or 4 hours...."  (it isn't quite that bad...anymore.) 

2. Visit Santa (check.)

Keaton was the 1st to hop on Santa's lap....he shared his list and then Lola started...

BUT Nash butted in and forced his list to the front

(he had NO FEAR) 

Great pic of all 3 kids with Santa...Cruz was in the car with Daddy...as he was only 6 days old.

Nash & Santa

3.  Have a Christmas Program at Church (check.)

Keaton was Ceasar & Lola was the star...they were both very proud.

4.  Have a school Christmas program (check.)

it is always SO hard to get good pictures of these concerts...but I actually got one of the kazoo playing that wasn't INCREDIBLY blurry. 

5.  Let Baby Cruz visit Santa too (check.)

Cruz & Santa at the Reimer extended family Christmas.

Well...almost there. I am almost caught up on my blogging before Christmas.  Only a few more to go (I think...) We are excited for Christmas...now I just need to get some presents wrapped!

whobdy had a great 5th birthday?

The week after Lola's birthday, she had 3 friends over after preschool for a little lunch and birthday party. 

Lola is BIG on streamers and balloons, so I did what I could with our chandelier.

Lola and one of her presents! She really loved them all!

her cake! (thank you wal-mart and mini marshmallows) 

Lunch was complete with nuggets and fries and cheeseballs from Thoma's.

Lola and her friends! They really had a wonderful time and got along so well!!!

whobody is the newest 5 year old in the house?

Well....Lola is finally FIVE! She has been looking forward to this day for a long time...and it finally came. :)  The day started with pink pancakes with candles....

Then...we just had a relaxing day at home....until after 'quiet time'.  Then it was time to PAR-TAY!  Below is our first family picture with Cruz (and Texy, of course...'cause it is her birthday too).

We invited the Grandmas & Grandpas and Aunts and Uncles and cousins over for a party!  The kids, of course, had a blast with their cousins...and enjoyed the pizza and cake and ice cream!

And...of course...Lola got lots of great gifts....that she really really really loved. (She wanted me to put that on my blog...) 

In one way, I can't believe that Lola is 5....BUT it also seems like she has been 5 for a long time (or 16...).  She is really growing up fast and is really a sweet girl with a big heart.  She is very daring and brave....and loves to be sporty and....well, dangerous. 

We are going to have to keep some tight reins on this girl....

Happy Birthday Lola!  We love you very much!

whobody is "Cruz Ship"?

So....Cruz will be three weeks old tomorrow and I cant believe how fast the time has gone.  He has been a VERY good baby...but I realize that we are still in the honeymoon stage.

The instant we got home from the hospital, Keaton and Lola met us at the door....and ran to the car to look in the carseat....and then stayed by the carseat and looked at Cruz (and talked to him) until I got him out.  They are in love with him.  Both of the older kids have been very helpful around the house and in entertaining Nash while I am caring for this new little Reimer.

The proud BIGGEST brother.

This was taken right after Nash woke from his nap when we got home from the hospital.  He came out of his room, ran over to me and the baby giggling....and instantly gave his beloved blankie to Cruz! (now, if you know Nash....you know that his blankie is GOLD.)

Here is Lola, Cruz, Grandma Reimer, and Nash. 

Our 4 children....(wow, that is crazy!) 

The sweetest big sister...who has now nicknamed her littlest brother

"Cruz Ship".

and....finally....we let Nash hold Cruz.... (this usually takes place after bath time for germ purposes)

Nash really has been great with Cruz. He has been very careful around him (which...for a kid who is usually overflowing with....energy? is pretty big)  He giggles every time I bring him into a room and says "Baby Coo....Baby Coo" 

and here is an eyes open picture....So sweet!  Sometimes I think he looks just like Nash as a baby....but then others he looks just like Keaton. My plan is to sometime in the next few days round up the newborn pictures of all 4 kiddos and compare!

Daddy & Cruz!

snore.

my 2 babies.

I had to take this picture because I have one exactly like it of

Nash in that outfit....

my little boys....

sleepyhead.

This was the morning of Lola's birthday....she wanted a picture

of her and Cruz AND Texy.....

All in all things have been going very well... I have had wonderful help when needed and now that I am not so sleep deprived, I have been enjoying this new little one.  What a blessing.

whobody got to meet Cruz at the hospital?

Okay...so I wrote out my birth story....and I am SO glad that I have a good record of it. (Even if it is for the world to see :)  Now I thought I would post my other pictures from the hospital.... Looking at these I CAN'T believe how big he is!  He doesn't really even look like a newborn in these pictures (especially with Keaton and Lola!). 

Well...Keaton and Lola came to visit Cruz (and me) at the hospital the day after he was born.  They were SO excited and proud.  (note: Jason and I decided that we would not let Nash come because he had a nasty cold....that is why there are no pictures of him with Cruz....yet) .

 It was a balmy November day....and Lola was just wearing a tank top (Okay...it wasn't warm at all...but she tends to strip down to her base layer of clothing no matter what the weather....she DID have the cutest sweater on at school that day).  She loved holding Cruz...and just kept giggling.  She did request that I do not dress him like Keaton and Nash on Christmas....because then she would be the only one not dressed like them. Too cute.

 Keaton was also very happy to meet Cruz...and couldn't wait to go back to school and tell his friends about his newest baby brother.  He has really been a big help!

Lola, Keaton & Cruz!

Mommy & Cruz

 

Cruz & Bompa Sheryl (my dad)

 Cruz & Grandma Piano (my mom)

Aunt Tessa & Cruz (my sister)

Uncle Steve & Cruz (my brother in law)

 

Don't you just want to KISS those cheeks??? He is GREAT!

Cruz & I really enjoyed our time in the hospital, but it was MUCH too short. The care there is SO great (as long as you get the right nurses :).  I really lucked out this time and had wonderful nurses who were so personable, easy to talk to and caring. 

Well, I hope you enjoyed these pictures from the hospital. I am hoping to keep getting some posts up over the next few days of pictures of Cruz....our preparations for Christmas....and of course Lola's birthday..... stay tuned!