Christmas Began Early

Christmas started early in the Guingrich household this year... as it does pretty much every year :). But this year it started off with an unexpected phone call in early November. My cell rang and the screen read "restricted number"... I reluctantly picked up and the lady on the other end said, "Is this Andrea Gin-ger-ich?" still a bit annoyed I replied, "Yes". She continued, "Congratulations! You just won a family pack of tickets to Disneyland." Still thinking this was a classic telemarketing scam, I replied "I'm sorry, what company did you say you were with?" another moment and it dawned on me that she was connected to a drawing that our local grocery store was having. It was a drawing that I had thrown my name into. I got off the phone and trying to contain my excitement shared the news with Traever. We decided to keep our little upcoming Disneyland trip a secret from the kids until the day of. The day came soon enough and they were surprised and of course super happy for the opportunity to go to the "happiest place on earth". They were slightly confused as to why we were going at night but happy none-the-less :). The catch was that the holiday party tickets that we won only provided park access from 9pm-1am. Disneyland would shut down to the general public and only allow the contest winners in to the park from 9pm-1am. So Traever and I were taking our 4 very small children to Disneyland essentially at their bedtime. I covered the night in prayer that we wouldn't have tantrums and over-tired children. And we played it up to them by telling them they would get to stay up later then ever, that the whole place would be lit up with thousands of twinkle lights (it was) and that the park would be closed to the public so they wouldn't have to wait in long lines like if they would have to if going during the day. It ended up being all of that and more. It was an awesome night together. The kids got to ride on lots of rides with no wait at all.

If you look closely you can see Adalai and Remy sitting in front of Traever. Haha! They loved every roller coaster they had a chance to ride.

The kids got to meet some characters. The Mad Hatter told the kids that he loved "their chariot" (stroller) which the kids thought was hilarious.

They had a parade and with so few in the park we got to walk up just a few minutes before it began and had amazing seats.

After the parade a man and his wife pushing a stroller with triplets approached Traever and I and congratulated us for being the only ones at Disneyland that night that had possibly experienced less sleep then them in the past 5 years.  Probably true :)

The kids did absolutely amazing. Adalai and Remy rode their last roller coaster at 1am and then we called it a night. And the kids slept soundly the whole way home.

Thanksgiving 2015

November has to be one of our family's favorite months. It holds our wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, and the entrance of the holiday season. Every year we try to do some sort of thankful tree that encourages us to count our blessings every day. It's always fun to see what our kids are grateful for. As the days of November passed and more leaves made their way onto our tree it seemed that there was a common theme coming from the kids- that they were especially grateful for each other.

So thankful for the friendships and close bonds that they are forging during these early years!

Thankful for this little brood :). We definitely stick out here in SoCal culture and even more so since Baye was born. A few weeks ago as 3 of my kids and I filed out of a bathroom stall at Trader Joe's an employee burst out laughing and told me that we looked like a clown car exiting the stall. I just smiled in agreement, I know we look ridiculous, I didn't  even bother mentioning that I had another child at home with their dad. A week later an owner of a local consignment boutique who owns/manages 3 other businesses looked at me and my 4 kids and told me I must be crazy for having 4 she continued to tell me that managing 4 businesses is easier then managing her 1 child (a toddler). These conversations happen nearly every time I'm out with 2 or more kids. It appears that either I'm crazy or our culture is. :)

There are definitely moments, sometimes days, that seem unmanageable, but in the end we always conclude that it's worth it. Without question it's worth it. Outside of our relationship with Christ, being the parents of these little ones is one of the Lord's greatest blessings to us, they are our wildest adventures, our greatest joys.

Thankful for this man too! The month of November Traever was immersed in studies and working his way through his hardest semester yet. However, he still welcomed the kiddos into his office anytime of day or night and was always happy to have us meet him on campus for a picnic. 

This November brought some changes for our Adalai. After a tooth extraction and a visit to the orthodontist she ended up having to get braces. Just looking at the picture below makes me feel like my sweet 6 year old is nearly a teenager. Please stop growing up so fast!

Thanksgiving Day was spent with a table full of food and a house full of dear friends.

 

So so thankful for these kindred spirits and that God crossed our paths during this season of seminary. They have become some of the dearest friends I have ever had. Our family away from family.

We are unworthy of the Lord's mercies and goodness towards us but so thankful that He has chosen to "forgive us all our iniquity, heal us, redeem us, crown us with steadfast love and mercy, and satisfy us with good"

"Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's."  Psalm 103:1-5

October

The addition of our little Baye has been such a gift to our family. Not only is she incredibly smiley and sweet but she has caused our other kids to grow and blossom. 

Adalai has grown into such a dependable and responsible older sister. She's there to grab diapers, clean up spit up, or to chorale Remy and Thatcher and read them stories. We've caught her on the couch a few times teaching Remy how to read. We feel so blessed to be this sweet girl's parents.



Remy, while retaining her silly side has definitely softened and become a caring and nurturing big sis. She's consistently there for Baye making sure she is comfy with blankie and paci. It seems like she changed overnight, one October morning she woke up much less of a child and much more grown up.



Thatcher, well growth has not come without growing pains especially for the Thatchman. The fact that there has been less Mommy and Daddy to go around hasn't been well received at times especially by this little one. His requests have more often became demands as he has felt his little reign as baby of the family come to an end. But slowly and surely he's getting there and of course loves his baby sister Baye. He's talking a lot, coloring, singing his abc's, and usually can be found with a train or two in each hand.



In October I did our annual photo shoot of the kids and it was pure ridiculousness. I took way too many pictures because the kids were downright silly and incredibly distracted during the shoot. But we succeeded in what we were trying to do- to get at least one good picture without mom or kids having a melt down.

Rems- our comic relief.

Oh Thatch...

Thankfully we had a few presentable options when it was all said and done :)



I am still surprised that we actually got a picture of everyone including Baye smiling. We look so much more "together" here then we are!

In October we were so happy to have my mom visit. I'm so thankful that we have moms/grandmas that are willing to fly across the country to help out and be with us.
Below my mom getting to know Baye.

Popcorn and movie nights



Pumpkin patch and Hay-rack ride

The Safari Park and Carousel ride

And a few trips to the pool. It was awesome to have an extra pair of hands and eyes!

We were able to spend our last day with Grandma at the beach.

Time with Grandma was time well spent. So glad that she made the trip!