So this is Christmas....

Ah Christmas, a magical time for children to see lights, sing songs, enjoy family and learn to give.

Here is the above sentence translated to what it ACTUALLY was at our house...
Ah Christmas, a stressful, exhausting, expensive time for parents to see their children get overtired, fight A LOT and completely throw the idea of giving and sharing out the window.

In all seriousness, for the most part our holidays were great. We are very blessed! But i COMPLETELY understand why our parents were exhausted and very over-it at the end. But the thing that keeps you going is the kids all hopped up on the excitement of the season (and the mass amount of sugary, baked goods in our house). This year was such a great age, they actually could "experience" Christmas. They helped decorate, talked about Santa and our elf Sparky that lived with us, LOVED Christmas lights, sang all the songs all the time and sat and listened through Christmas Eve mass. What a difference a year makes. And i know next year will be even better for them (and us).

My adorable kiddos modeling some shirts from my company, Designed For Babies, Inc. in festive colors! The shirts are so true, Brady and Cam like mommy, Reid and Trey like daddy!


I think the term "help" is a very subjective term. Lets just say with their "help" it took twice as long BUT they are were into it, which was great to see!


Reid stopping for a quick camera moment, my little spitfire!


Christmas started on Thursday for us when my Grandma Pat, my brother TJ and my Dad came to spend the day with the kids. It was awesome and all napped great (including my brother and Dad)!

Christmas Eve morning we decided to venture to Target to get some grocery shopping done for dinner that night. Looking back at it now, i laugh at myself for even thinking that was a good idea. Terrible weather and it was packed. But after a long morning/nap, we got them up and got ready for church. I was very nervous about how they would act. They haven't been in a while and these last 3 months have proven to be very "challenging". Luckily my in-laws were going to be with us so we had reinforcements. Then as we were walking in, i realized my second huge mistake today (Target on Christmas Eve being first), i brought NOTHING for them to do if they got impatient. No coloring books, magna doodles, nothing. But we were SHOCKED at how well they did. Sure at the end they were a little antsy and they were not happy about us getting "baby cookies" (communion) and not them, but no crying or screaming during so i count that as a victory.

The kids LOVE their Aunt Amy!


Maxin and relaxin before church.


When we got home, ate dinner, did baths and played, kids were exhausted so i thought they would fall right asleep. Again with my stellar thinking... It was Christmas Eve, they knew Santa was coming the next morning, so it wasn't exactly right away. But it was to be expected.

And of course, it wouldn't be Christmas Eve with out Mom (me) having to stay up til 1am putting presents out, wrapping stocking stuffers, cleaning up kitchen and trash from the adult dinner (and drinks) that evening, etc. Thanks to my SIL Amy for toughing it out and staying up with me to finish all the wrapping and touches!

6:50am rolled around a little too quickly. We went up to wake the kids at 7:15am. I know that this will be the last year we are waking them up! Should have stayed in bed longer. As they came downstairs, they were all smiles! And as soon as they got all the way downstairs, they saw their new big wheels. GRANTED, my kids are short and i should have measured because their little legs aren't quite big enough (we will make some modifications, so all is well), they were still happy to scoot around on them while the grown ups made breakfast.

The scene Christmas morning after Santa came!


Big wheels!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And all in the same color because Santa knows better than to get different colors now!


That's a lot of stockings!


"And they are coming around the turn, but can they avoid the road hazards in the kitchen like the people trying to cook"....You can hardly tell Brady is happy in this pic...


And the circling continued til it was time to eat. This is the closest picture i had with all four of them on their bikes (per flags).


Time out for a little lovin from Brady. This kid is such the lover. And notice poor Mickey taking one for the team so Robbie didn't have to put his head on hardwood.


The Gerwer's in their matching jammies. Let me first say, i lose many battles with Robbie on what i would like him to wear, do, etc. But the only thing he does give into me about is our Christmas matching jammies. THANK YOU HONEY!


Reference the floor in previous pictures... and what it becomes 5 minutes into quads opening presents. I gave up collecting it and did it at the end. Could not keep up with that and having to open every toy with their IMPOSSIBLE twist ties and screwed in insides.


Brady was SO happy to get tools. "Mom, i can fix stuff now by myself"


Like brother, like brother. Trey practicing his handy skills as well. He clearly has the same dislike for the toy boxes and the difficulty they bring to open them. I too wish i could take a drill to some of them.


Brady just got up after all was unwrapped and went to work "fixing" stuff. My boys are so alllll boy!


One of the last people i would ever want coming at my teeth with a drill, fearless, crazy Reid. Daddy is brave!


Cameron LOVED getting her kitty cat that walks, purrs and meows. We are happy about that because that is the closest she will ever come to having a cat. And along with a cat being the perfect accessory, she was sporting her new Minnie Mouse purse and "fancy" shoes. This is how she remained pretty much until nap.


Safety first people! That a boy Trey.


Nothing and i mean NOTHING makes Cameron smile like a box of jelly beans. How EVER did Santa know?


The kids are now experiencing the Christmas hangover but will so carry that over to the birthday hangover in less than 2 weeks. I can NOT believe my little 1 and 2 pounders are going to be 3. Hardly seems possible.

And here are a few random pics from when we were potty training that i never posted...

During our extended stay downstairs, the dogs felt very inconvienced by the kids constantly being in their area. Here the girls are explaining to Maverick how they feel about it. "Hey Mav, we dont like it either, do you know how many toys of ours are upstairs getting no attention for days... its madness". And might i add, what is wrong with this picture, my girls are laying on the wood floor and Mav is on the couch?


And i just had to show off my little athlete. I am SOOO hopeful that Brady will shoot up in height someday (shortest now) because man, this kid is so naturally athletic. Its like it all comes easy to him, throwing (both left and right), catching, basketball, tee ball, soccer, etc. And come on, notice the form....
"Brady Gerwer coming up for the shot..."


"he shoots..."


"He scores!"


And this is the part where he turns to all the ladies in the crowd and kills them slowly with his blue eyes and million dollar smile.


Again, i thank you for your patience in my long posts. As you can see life has just been crazy busy and too much time goes by between my posts.
Hope all of you had a CRAZY FUN FILLED HOLIDAY season! And hello 2011! Its going to be a good year!