Merry Christmas

According to Christian and Carson, this was the best Christmas ever, however I think they say that every year!  I will say that this year was reminiscent of Christmases past and for that I am grateful.  

The boys could not wait to get to Sonia's house to celebrate Christmas Eve.  I know they had one thing on their mind.....presents, but I also know that they love spending time with their family.  Christian always talks about how much he loves having everybody over or going to Aunt Tawnies or Grandmas house to be with the whole family and that makes me smile.  That afternoon we all sat around laughing, talking, tracking Santa and discussing his route.  After a few moments of hilarious disfunction and our VERY yummy meal, Christian on his own accord decided he would do the dishes.  Don't get me wrong, he has chores at home and always takes his plate to the sink when he is finished, but I can't think of one time that he has ever run water over one of them.  It was an amazing site to see and while we were all still sitting at the table I came to one conclusion, he must think that Santa is watching him and that this just might score him extra presents!

Christmas Eve

The boys wasted no time and quickly moved into the living room to pass out presents.  This year they were sorted in moving boxes by recipient which made it very nice when it came time to pack up (although not so good for pictures).  They decided to tackle this box together and I love seeing the excitement on their face.

After all of their hard work passing out presents, they can't wait to tear in to their own packages

I got so caught up in catching wrapping paper and watching them unwrap that I forgot to take pictures.  I did get a few though.

 Christian was beyond excited when he opened this headset.  If you only could have seen the expression and oh yeah dance that he performed.  It was priceless.  Thank you Yai Yai

Tackling Shea Shea before dessert.

Sonia, Nikki and Chad

Shea bench pressing both boys.

After dessert we spent several more hours huddled together and it was very nice to sit around and enjoy each other before heading home to get ready for bed.  I am so sad I did not get any pictures that night  putting out cookies but here they are Christmas morning once they walked in and saw Santa was good to them!  Time to wake up Daddy!  

(Note to self:  rearrange the furniture next year to get better pictures of Christmas morning or put the boys in a different spot)

Digging in their stockings and comparing goodies.  Christian says this is his favorite part.

New Scooters 

It looks like Santa and the Reindeer loved their treats!

My little Super Hero

A few pics of the house Christmas morning, wish I had not cleaned up Santa gifts yet

I LOVE MY BOBCAT TREE!

This year, Chelsea spent the night Christmas Eve so she could be there Christmas morning.  Mom, Grandma and Ta Ta came over around 9 or so and we immediately began to make a big breakfast before the boys passed out presents.  Once again I got a little overwhelmed and forgot to snap pictures!

Is he handsome or what?

Christian just knew there was something for outside in this box, little did he know it was a new tv for upstairs from Grammy and Pa Pa

Christian sat down that afternoon and wrote Santa a thank you note without being asked...another first!

We had so much fun playing ping pong all afternoon on this tabletop set and snacking in the kitchen until dinner. 

The boys went upstairs to watch the first movie in our home theater

Christian and Daddy had a late night match after everyone went home.

This was another wonderful holiday spent with family and friends!

Tis the Season

Last week before the boys got out of school we went to Carson's Christmas Program where he was one of the three kings.  He looked so cute and did a great job with his line, "I bring you the gift of frankincense".  Unfortunately he had a bit of a wardrobe malfunction and yes that is a rock and roll shirt he is wearing on the day of his Christmas program at church. (CRINGE)

Singing Feliz Navidad

Christian begged me to go see Carson's play so he got a special treat and I took him out of school for a few hours but made sure he would not be counted absent when attendance was taken.  

After his program, party and book exchange we went and had lunch with the whole fam before going to Christian's class party.  The kids all had yummy treats to eat, listened to a Christmas story and played Bingo...always a favorite!

Christian got a Bingo on the last game! 

On Friday, Christian had a half day of school so I picked him up and we went to the new Cinemark in Frisco for a movie double header with friends....Tangled and Yogi Bear.  I did not think they would like Tangled as it is a "girly' movie but everyone loved it and I hate to say I even shed a tear.  Standing in the lobby after the movie we discovered 103.7fm  handing out free tickets to Yogi Bear and decided we would make an afternoon out of it.   Christian, Wyatt, Abby, Casey and I were all in for a second movie and Jennifer took Carson home to play with Ben and Henry.  That movie kind of put me to sleep but the kids all seemed to enjoy it.

The boys have been out of school for a week.  It has been fairly relaxing thus far except for all the last minute shopping I have had to do.  I WILL GET MY SHOPPING DONE EARLY NEXT YEAR, I WILL GET MY SHOPPING DONE EARLY NEXT YEAR, I WILL GET MY SHOPPING DONE EARLY NEXT YEAR.  Last Saturday I left the house around 10am and did not get home until 8 that night and no, I did not finish. Ugh!  I had a few more stops I had to make throughout the week and tried to do with Chad at home because Christian grumbled anytime I mentioned leaving the house.  We have watched Christmas movies, made a gingerbread house, celebrated with two early Christmas parties, and surprised the kids with dinner at Japon followed by driving down to HP to see Christmas lights.

Today it is a wet Christmas Eve and I have spent the day listening to Christmas music while wrapping presents, baking pies and tracking Santa with the boys.  Christian has a new favorite Christmas song, "Mary Did You Know" by Kenny Rogers.  Anytime that song has come on the radio today or in the car over the past few days he has asked me to turn up the volume and I can hear him singing the chorus.  It is really sweet to hear him.

I hope the boys grow up having fond memories of the Christmas holiday and our family's traditions.  I am always looking for new ideas and other traditions to start.  What traditions does your family have?

Carson is FIVE

I can not believe it.  Today my baby boy turned five years old and I have no idea where the time went.  It seems like yesterday that Christian climbed into the hospital bed and laid down beside me to meet his little brother and best friend for the very first time.  A mental image I will cherish forever.

Here is Carson just days after coming home from the hospital.  Oh how we all loved to snuggle with the new little angel in our house.

The first year, with so many milestones, went by with the blink of an eye.  Our little "orange nosed" prince was now 1.

Next it was a party brought to you by the letter C and the number 2 as we celebrated our little toddler turning two!

At 3 his personality really began to take shape as well as his sweet little body he would now love to shake.  Our little pufferfish is born.

What a difference a year makes.  Although the terrible threes were never that terrible, I have treasured the fours and the special mommy time I am blessed to spend each and every day with you.  Sharing our special "I love you" secrets, the countless flowers you have picked for me, and the priceless messages/songs you have recorded on my phone, are just a few of the things I will always remember.

Then, last night when Chad and I were putting the boys to bed we told Carson we needed extra hugs and kisses since those were the last ones we would get from our four year old son.  

This morning, and with the blink of an eye, my sugar bear woke up at the age of 5.  He has blossomed into an intelligent, independent, affectionate, observant, animal loving, rock star!  

His chocolate covered cherry cake by his teacher....Mrs. Kitty

Unable to contain the excitement.  Christian quickly reminded him not to play with jelly on his hands.

Oh yeah!

"My birthday is awesome!"

Carson came home with his birthday crown on and would not take it off.

Make a wish!

Surrounded by the love of his grandparents and great-grandparents

Happy 5th Birthday Carson!  We love you so much.

Holiday Shop

I spent the entire day today at Christian's school volunteering in the holiday shop.  It was so fun to watch all the boys and girls come in with their money to personally shop for mom, dad, brothers, sisters and anyone else that might be on their list. They were so excited to pick things out all on their own, manage their money to get a gift for everyone on their list and maybe a little something for themselves, but then to watch them all leave with all their gift bags in tow was really sweet.

I have to admit,  I was a little suspect at first.  I had gone up to the school Friday as everything was being set up and thought to myself...this is not going to be good, but boy was I wrong.  As I sat at the check out table as to not hop along on my self-diagnosed swollen and bruised sprained foot, I very quickly got in to the spirit.  It was very easy to do though with the exceptional ladies there with me.   Misti was truly an inspiration as she spread holiday cheer.  She had such a positive attitude and kept going on about how wonderful it was to give the kids an opportunity to experience the spirit of giving.  It did not matter what our kids were going to come home with, it was the thought that counted and the excitement in their eyes that made it all worth it!  Don't get me wrong, we all shared a laugh or too but as my shift came to an end, I had no desire to leave.  I thought to myself I would stay and eat lunch with Christian and then go but that did not happen either.  

In preparation for Christian to come in with his class, I walked around and pointed a few ideas out to the helpers...a back scratcher, Mom note pad or maybe a book mark. When Christian walked in, he was really excited and did not need any help or ideas from the other moms (hint hint).  I told him to do his shopping and I would pay when he checked out.  He was a little boy on a mission.  After a few minutes of browsing he immediately walked over to show what he had picked out so far: a little monster truck that he said Carson would love, and a keychain for Chad that said #1 Dad.  He said since he had the best dad he definitely had to get it.  I walked to the gift bag table so Christian could check out without me seeing my present and then he was good to go or so I thought.  A few minutes later he told me he found a coffee cup that he had to get Ta Ta and a bookmark for Grandma.  

By this point Chad had dropped Carson off at the school to hang out until it was time to leave.  He was such a big boy all day.  He sat on the floor by my chair or under the table playing PSP and helping me get bags for a good majority of the day!  We had lunch with Christian where his big brother walked him over to the ice cream line with his arm around his neck!  (Please let it last!) He was such a big helper I told him he could go shopping too.  He picked out a little something for Christian and we called it a day!

Fast forward to the car ride home.  Christian kept telling me that he wanted to give us our presents tonight because he just could NOT wait until Christmas.  I tried convincing him to put them under the tree but he was not having any part of it.  I told him he was just like his dad in that respect because Chad always liked to give presents early and could never wait until the big day!

At dinner tonight Christian said that he was handing out presents.  Chad said, "I wonder where he gets that" and asked me if I knew what I was getting since I had been there today.  Christian sat there a second and looked up with a big smile on his face and asked,"don't you like bling?" He knows me so well! He gathered his gifts and handed them out one by one leaving mine for last.  The suspense was killing me.  What would it be?  The faux ruby mom tennis bracelet, maybe a big ring?  Nope!  It was a very sweet blinged out little guitar necklace.  I loved it and can actually wear it with pride.  When I tucked him in bed and was leaning over to give him a kiss he noticed I was still wearing his necklace!  He said, "you are still wearing it".  Of course baby, it was a gift from you!

Tis the season!