Lilly's First Haircut

This January has been a snowy and cold month.  In the midst of cancelled school days, shoveling, building snowmen, and trying to keep two stir crazy kids occupied, we ventured out to fulfill another 'first' for Lilly.  Lilly's hair has grown so much since we got her last May.  I have been trimming it, especially over her eyes.  However, it was time to let a professional even it out.  Liam needed a trim as well.  Liam was sweet enough to go first, so Lilly could see what was going to happen and know that it was alright.  Liam talked Emily's ear off the whole time.  Both kids behaved very well and enjoyed getting their hair cut.  Lilly felt very pretty afterwards and was especially thrilled to have a sucker.  She hasn't had many of them since they were impossible to eat with her cleft palate.

For reference - Lilly's head was shaved the day before we got her (May 27th)

before

before

Lilly woke up from her nap right before we went to the salon, so she had bed head.

Liam didn't like it spiked up.  He wanted it smoothed down like Dad's.  Emily put gel in it, which made Liam happy.  He felt like such a big boy.

Big brother Liam kept Lilly entertained

The hair dryer tickled Lilly

catching up on her reading

after

after (clinging to her sucker for dear life)

Christmas 2013

We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas this year!  Liam was excited about every aspect of Christmas and was eager to share his excitement with his sister.  Seeing Christmas through Lilly's eyes was also fun.  She had a great first Christmas!  We were able to celebrate with our families, but also saved time for our little family of four.

Christmas #1 - Hart Christmas

The festivities began with Hart Christmas the Saturday before Christmas.  Remington was not able to come up from Florida and Verona got sick in the car on the way, so we celebrated with just my dad and his wife, Sandra.  The kids still enjoyed spending time with Papa and Nana.

Liam waiting patiently to open his present (wearing some of his new Jake gear)

Christmas #2 - Family Christmas

The day before Christmas Eve, we let the kids open one present (a tradition I had in my family on Christmas Eve).  The kids opened pajamas and we gave them each a giant stuffed animal.  We watched a Christmas movie and then settled in for the night.  On Christmas Eve we had a big breakfast, opened our stockings and gifts, and played with our new presents.  That afternoon we went to Dave's parents' house for a late lunch.  We finished the evening with the family candlelight church service.  It was wonderful!  Liam held his own candle during the service and sang along to Silent Night and Away in a Manger.  After church we loaded up the van, put on pajamas, and drove up to Livonia.

Lilly showing off her new jewelry

Daisy got bones in her stocking, so she was a happy dog!

All dressed up for church

Christmas #3 - Kusch Christmas

The kids woke up early and enjoyed looking at and playing with all the decorations.  We opened presents, the kids played with their cousins, and we enjoyed a great dinner.  We stayed in our pajamas all day.

Grandma's elves are almost as big as Lilly.

Lilly's first Christmas

Liam showed Lilly how the light up gingerbread house worked.

This year instead of putting bows on the packages, I made everyone a crochet ornament.

Liam and Verona playing nicely with her new princess castle.

Day after Christmas

Liam and Grandpa played in the snow.

The kids got to decorate and eat their own sugar cookies.

Liam and Grandma made reindeer out of candy canes.

December 27th - Letsch get-together

My cousin, Jillian, and I try to get together at least twice a year.  The half-way point is Warsaw.  My Aunt Gloria hosted our get-together.  She made us lunch, the kids played, and we got caught up.  The kids get along really well together!  

Lorelei, Lilly, Liam & Lucy

Christmas #4 - Herman Christmas

Dave's sisters, Julie and Laura, and their families came home after Christmas.  It was great to have everyone together.  Liam and Lilly had fun playing with all their cousins.

New Years Eve

Dave and I went out for an early dinner to the Huron River Country Club with Rick, Anna, Uncle David, Aunt Gloria, and my parents.  It was so nice to eat at a restaurant without kids.  The kids had fun with their sitter while we were gone.  When we came home, we put the kids to bed and then stayed up playing card games.  The kids were sweet enough to sleep in until 8:45am the next morning!  We took Liam to a matinee of Frozen with Grandma & Grandpa Kusch.  Lilly got to stay home with Great Grandma Letsch.  The weather delayed our trip home by a day, but we got home safely despite seeing 31 cars and 2 semis in the ditch/median on the way home.