Remembering One Month Ago...Christmas Eve!

This was the first Christmas that we did not travel. It was also the first Christmas season that we didn't spend with extended family, so we instituted some of our own traditions- many of them are traditions that we had already established but had to do earlier in the month during Christmases past.

After attending our church's Candlelight Christmas Eve service, we made Christmas cookies for Santa. Of course, the boys loved it- and loved eating them, too. Jason read the Christmas story and several other Chrismas books to the boys (The Night Before Christmas, Away in a Manger) while they enjoyed cups of eggnog. Jason's mom gave the boys Mary Englebreit's illustrated version of The Night Before Christmas last year and they love it. It's an annual tradition to read it Christmas Eve- and eggnog has always been a tradition with Jason's dad.The year that Jason and I were engaged, we decided not to exchange Christmas gifts (due to tight budgets), but to exchange Christmas ornaments for our tree. We decided that was a tradition we would continue through life- so that we always have a special treasure from each other each year. We've included the boys in on this tradition and on Christmas Eve, they opened their ornaments from us.This year, we gave Noah a Buzz Lightyear ornament. He loved it! It really didn't stay on the tree- he and Jonah played with all the time! We gave Jonah a Thomas the Train ornament this year. He slept with it the first night!
Jason didn't get me an ornament this year, but he got me a tree topper! We have never had one- in the past we used ribbons from our wedding, but those were looking pretty rough this year. I love this snowflake! It was beautiful on top of our tree!See, our "big" tree is decorated in silver, white, and crystal. So, our ornaments to one another always stay within that theme. The kids have their own tree to put the more fun ornaments on! This year, I got Jason this ornament from Starbucks. Silly, I know, but I started drinking coffee this year for the first time, so I thought it was appropriate to commemorate the year this way- and the ornament is white, so it fits the tree's theme!Growing up, there were several Christmases that we got new pajamas as kids. I love that! So last year, we began the tradition with our boys. On Christmas Eve, they open new jammies to wear that night. My boys in matching jammies- I know it won't last forever, but I love this! Aren't they the cutest?
I'll post Christmas day pics soon- just didn't want to overwhelm everyone at once! Happy Holidays!

Merry Christmas!

Despite the looks of it, our boys were very excited about Santa- and we had a wonderful Christmas! I'll post more pics soon. Hope you all enjoyed time with your family and celebrated Jesus' birthday in a memorable way!

Two Larry Boys

When my mom came for a visit in October, she brought N & J the Veggie Tales Larry Boy and the Bad Apple DVD. They love it. They watched it almost daily for several weeks- a couple of times a day the first week! They also have run around the house saying Larry Boy's key statement, "I AM THAT HERO!" They've argued in the car over which of them is Larry Boy. So, we've assured them that there can be two Larry Boys. Now Jonah walks around telling me, "Two Warree Boys." It's too funny. Since Noah started Cubbies (part of our church's Awanas program) in September, he's had a Bible verse to memorize each week and recite to his table leader. Several weeks ago the verse was from Psalm 139:14- "I am wonderfully made." We worked on learning this verse for a couple of days. Of course, he wouldn't say it correctly- it hasn't been uncommon for him to refuse to repeat the verses for me. I tried to prompt him, "I am..." And he happily yelled, "DAT HERO!" I just laughed. Then, every time that I tried to tell him his verse he'd say, "No, Mom, my berse is I AM DAT HERO!"

Evidently they accepted his form of the verse- or he said it correctly for them- because he came home with his page signed and a new patch for his vest!

Locked out- AGAIN! *Updated*

Remember this? Well, my boys are at it again. I'm locked out of my bedroom! I guess Noah locked the door when he got up this morning- before he came downstairs to join me and Jonah. When I went upstairs to get dressed, so that I could play in our freshly fallen snow with my boys, my door wouldn't budge- UGH! Of course, the hubby is gone- these things tend to happen when he's away. So, I've called in the troops- I have a friend's hubby coming to try to rescue me from a life living in pajamas for the next five days. I'll let you know if we're able to get in...

*UPDATE!* I owe JD a big "thank you"- he was able to unlock the door pretty easily (why is it that frantic moms can't seem to get locked doors open?)- and I didn't have to pay him the $40 a locksmith would have charged. So, I am watching my boys like a hawk to make sure that all rooms are accessible for the remainder of the time that daddy is away. Although frantic tears were shed, a complete meltdown was averted! Thanks again, JD, for your help!

Surprise!

Several of my dear girl friends surprised me with a get together at The Melting Pot on Monday night. They pulled off quite the surprise and it was a wonderful way to celebrate my 30th!Thank you S, K, D, P, T, and L for making my birthday a special one. I loved the girl time with y'all- and the yummy cheese & chocolate!

Welcome, Little Princess!

This past Tuesday, Princess G finally arrived! We are so excited for her to join her family, our dear, sweet friends T&D- and their two little boys! She is beautiful!D was a trooper to let us come up for a quick peek at the princess on Tuesday night. We're excited to add another girl to the girlfriends!She loves her daddy- his voice calmed her down immediately. How precious is that?
I think this mommy of boys will do just fine with a little girl!
It makes me think there is a possibility of us having a girl- if we decided to go for #3! Wink! Can't quite convince the hubby yet!

Congrats, T&D! We're so thankful that little G is here- thanks for sharing her with us! Can't wait to see many pink and purple outfits on that sweet little one! Love you!

Loving These Autumn Days

Well, October has come and gone- and I'm left asking, "What happened?" This beautiful fall season is passing by all too quickly. Here's a recap of our October...

I had to have my sweet boys pose in front of my pumpkins- I saw this on Martha Stewart years ago and have always wanted to use pumpkins as a base for fall mums- loved it- until the pumpkins started going bad! My mom came for a 10-day visit! She got here a couple of days before Jas headed off for a 10-day elk hunt. We loved every minute of our time together. We got tons of projects done around the house (more on that later).

The boys loved their time with Mima- she was so fun. They especially enjoyed the times outside in the leaves.
Despite all of the playing, we did get all these leaves raked up. Now more have fallen, so we'll be doing it all over again this weekend!
Mima brought a puzzle to do with the boys- and also bought them some Diego dominoes. They loved playing games with her. Noah insisted on wearing his bee costume around the house several days before Halloween!
Noah's learning how to wink!
For Halloween, Jonah was Pooh bear and Noah was a honey bee. Noah loved running around "buzzing" with his antennae and stinger in the back. Special thanks to my old coworker friend, Linda, for the hand-me-down costume. It was a hit. Jonah, however, wasn't big on dressing up. It must be an age issue- Noah hated it last year, too. We attended our church's Trunk or Treat Halloween night. Too fun- puppets, games, music, and of course, CANDY!
I guess I'll start preparing for Thanksgiving now! Wow, time is flying!