Christmas Time Fun

I truly can't believe Christmas is already over! It is my favorite time of the year by far. This year we continued traditions, started some new ones, spent time with family and missed loved ones who are afar. It was also a bittersweet season for us as a few of our dearly loved family members are ill. We started the season off by decorating the day after thanksgiving as we have in the past. It's my favorite day! I have two favorite traditions at Christmas time. One of my favorite tradition we do throughout the month of December is the Jesse Tree. Adding a different ornament to our Jesse Tree and reading a small of part of the true christmas story each day. My second favorite is the live nativity we participate in with our Chruch. Our church has created an amazing live nativity that people come through. There are twelve or so scenes requiring 200 people to make it all run. Last year 20,000 people went through. What an awesome way to share the true meaning of Christmas and teach my children to give of their time, energy and heart! We love it. Last year we did one night, this year we did two nights. I hope to continue this trend as long as it is running. Jake participated with us in the scenes and had so much fun. We also went through on another night so the boys could see it in full. 

I also love a new tradition we started which was a stack of twenty five books that were wrapped. Each night, the boys took turns opening them and we got to read a new story each night. As we got closer to Christmas... they became more focused on Christmas, ending with,"The night before Christmas." 

Christmas Eve was extra special for me this year as our Pastor asked me to read the Christmas story at one of the services. I was truly honored and a little nervous. I was excited for my children to be able to see me read it and continue to show them the reason for the season. Having some family there to watch me, helped my nerves a bit too. It was a lot of fun and the children were great. We also saw Mommel as well as Poppel and sally. Sally made us an Arizona Christmas Eve which was soo tasty!

Christmas morning is always fun with kids. We wrap the hallways with wrapping paper and the boys bust through it. Santa came and the boys were thrilled with their presents. I'm always grateful to see their hearts when they open presents. Will and Kev just love everything. They were excited and happy to play with everything right away. Jake was amazing and as always so animated and excited. His maturity was so cool to see. He said things like,"thank you so much for getting this for me!" Very cool. 

After we opened our gifts, we went down to Balitmore for the day and spent time with my side of the family. The boys had so much fun, Pop Pop and Gigi spoiled them and we had a nice family dinner together. We missed Nikki and Eko and the boys who spent christmas in Turkey this year. We also missed Thomas, Abby and Edie who spent Christmas in Altanta. Although thanks to FaceTime, we got to see everyone! The day after Christmas we visited Rick, Janet and Kim. We had dinner together and exchanged gifts. It was important for us to spend time with Kimmy and we feel lucky to be so close with her. I love that my boys have so many people whom they love. 

We also feel blessed to have found such an awesome church family. This is a picture from our community group's Christmas brunch. They have truly become such important people to us. 

Friendship

I'm writing this post to give you boys a wee glimpse into the life of mom.... Before I was mom. When I was in college, I joined a sorority. It is a group of girls who basically have a lot of fun together, bond and do some philanthropy as well. My sorority of girls, were truly my friends. They were there for me during my darkest days and also some of the most fun times I've had. I have made many friends since college, but we are forever friends. A bond like that cannot be broken by time. Unless, that is ... If you stop making effort. Our friendship is important to us, so we make time. Each year (at least once) we get together to reconnect, relax and have fun. We change up the location, but the feeling never changes. True friends are like nothing else. We might not have talked in months and when we get together, it's like no time has passed. We had one of our college girls nights recently. Only three of us were available, but we met anyway. We also bumped into another sorority sister while we were together. I pray that you boys form bonds like these. Family is important, but friendship is too. 

Birthday boy at 4

Our Willy Nilly is 4! We just can't believe it. Four sounds so old to me. It truly feels like yesterday this little angel came to be a part of us forever. We are so proud of the boy he has become and continue to be amazed by his mad dance skills. Here is a little snippet into our William at four years old.

- You love dancing. You have amazing dance skills that are totally innate. I love our dance parties.

- You love singing, although you are shy about it. You sing while you play, while you eat and especially on car rides.

- You love watching your,"shows," right now they are peppa pig, paw patrol and creative Galaxy. 

- this year we gave you the choice of either having a birthday party or going to great wolf lodge... You chose great wolf lodge without skipping a beat! You can't wait!!

- You are such a good boy in school and church. All of your teachers love you and your contagious smiles.

- Your favorite toys are your iPod, gum all machine, art desk and supplies, music player and wii. Your a fan of electronics! You also love the bounce house you received for Christmas.

- Other loves of yours are: Chapstick, gum, hand sanitizer and bandades. 

- Your favorite foods are: cereal, meatballs, Mac and cheese, grilled cheese, yogurt and pizza.

- You like being home, snuggling and being covered by your blankie. 

- You tell us your best friends are cara (neighbor up the street) and Nicholas (friend from school) 

- You still like batman and joker too.

- You are a generous soul. You always share and never hesitate to give someone something. 

- Outside, you like to run and ride in the truck with Kevin.

 - This Fall you played soccer and you love that you have a trophy like Jakers. 

- You are in preschool and go to school each day from 8:30-11:00. 

- You are super strong and already wearing size five pants. Such a big boy! 

- You and Jake still share a room and when we mentioned separating you guys... You were both devastated. So, for now... Your roomies. 

-You are a hambone, you love being funny. 

- You have started making music videos and often ask me to sing too, but then give me no screen time. It's hysterical.

-You brought your friends candy canes as your birthday treat. 

- Common will phrases right now:

"Right mom?" (Always asking me to agree with you)

"Hiya bebe" not sure why, but you always say this and it cracks us up.

"Milk in my bowl, milk in my cup" I hear this each morning

"Ugga mugga" he says this when we rub noses

"Silly dad.." When daddy is being silly

"I'm four... So I'm big... Right mom?" Often...

"You're a sweet mommy." (After I say you're a sweet boy)

"No, I not...(fill in the blank) when you do not want to do something 

"My belly is so hungry" you are hungry all day long

Here are some pics from your birthday. We didn't have a party because you chose a night at the great wolf lodge, but some family stopped by. We also always have a birthday breakfast (family tradition). 

Family Photo Outtakes....

70 degrees in November means family photo time... Like now. My boys were not feeling it though. After ten painful minutes we got a ,"good one." Not what I envisioned.... But what is? The final product perfectly depicts who we are as a family right now... Tear stained shirts, bare footed feet, goofy faces and perfectly imperfect.... lots of fun and lots of love. Love my little crazy family of boys. Merry Christmas. Final product is the last one. 

Round here... Decorating addition

Thanksgiving picture update... Late but worth it

This Thanskgiving we celebrated with the Sharp family in NJ. Jill offered to host and it was a wonderfully relaxing night. The boys are getting older and each year the holidays seem to get a little easier. We are still super busy and they are all still very young, but they play! They just go and play! It's awesome. I love that my kids have cousins who they adore. I am jealous for the lives they will have together. It is so priceless to me. We also had a few friends join us, the more the merrier! 

Special Bond

Everybody in the house loves LACEY... But Kev and LACEY seem to have an extra special bond. She tolerates his never ending pulling and grabbing (trying to teach him gentleness) and he tolerates her stealing cars from him and nipping occasionally. If she does steal a toy or chews on something we don't want her chewing on... All I have to do is ask Kevin to handle it. And he does. I love watching this bond grow. A boy and his dog. 

Fun night on the town

The company Jon works for celebrated their 60th anniversary. It is a really big deal for insurance companies or any company for that matter to last sixty years! So, we celebrated! It was a great night. Jon and I really needed a night without kids where we just had fun. The theme was casino night and we got to play with fake money, eat yummy food and dance! What could be better! I also loved getting all dressed up. A nice change from my mom yoga pants uniform.