christmas '08

Well, I've finally found a moment to catch my blog up...I really need to fold some wash, but this is for JILL!

We do the whole Santa thing with the boys. I know some people don't agree with it because it can take away the whole reason behind Christmas but we also celebrated Jesus birthday to remind and teach the boys (or really Andrew) that it's Jesus' birthday. We made cupcakes the night before we celebrated our Christmas. Andrew was SO excited! He seriously talked about it all day. And while it wasn't really Christmas Eve, it was our Christmas Eve...so, yeah, my children will probably be totally messed up!!

Blake woke up to this new (to him) car. He LOVES it! And Andrew got a fun racing game. Blake was all into opening the first few presents but then he was done and wanted to play with his new car. It was funny tho because every present he would open he'd yell STUCK because he'd want me to take it out of the box right away. Andrew enjoyed opening the rest of Blake's presents for him!

They also got these cute capes from my mom...Andrew was all about his, but Blake...not so much! He'll get there!

On Saturday we headed up to Arkysaw. First stop was Matt's parents. There we saw all his family and we did our Christmas with them on Monday morning. I hardly had any pics from there. And Matt was in charge of the camera! It was too cold so we didn't play outside. Just hung out in the house. So, I'm thinking that's why the lack of pics.
Here's Josh, Mark and Mr. Deer.
The boys had fun playing with Cousin Jack. Jack was kind and let Blake control the train under the tree the WHOLE time. Not sure what would have happened if Jack wanted a turn. Blake was NOT into sharing that thing!We had a nice time at Granny and Buddy's. They go WAY overboard on all of us. Seriously!

Then on Tuesday we went to The Village to see my family.

Our visit there started with a choir practice. My mom is the choir director of her church and Christmas Eve the children's choir sang. Every year at Christmas my nieces join them. So, mom was teaching them the songs. Well, of course, my boys were all up in the practice. They both LOVE music. As you can tell by this picture, Blake was mesmerized by the guitar. Andrew kept requesting Go Tell It On The Mountain. At the Christmas Eve mass Andrew sat with the choir on the front row next to Mallory. I was a nervous wreck and worried he start talking and the mic would pick him up or something...but he did AWESOME! I was SO proud of him. Matt would have been too, but he stayed home with Blake. There was NO WAY that boy would have been quiet for an hour!!
It got MUCH warmer when we were at my parent's so we spent some time outside.
Andrew and Blake LOVED the blow-ups my parents had.
Playing with sidewalk chalk.

Andrew playing with CrAzY cousin Matthew.
Opening presents. It definitely was a FULL house!
Our first family pic we've taken in 5 years, I think. I think the last time was my wedding. Crazy! Of course, Blake had OTHER things to do then have his picture taken!!

All the grandkids! aka...free babysitters!! :)

And here are some pics my sis took for us. It was hard trying to get a decent picture. ugh!

We got home Sunday evening and on Monday we had some friends in town. They ended up not staying with us but we tried to go see them when the boys were awake. They left on Wednesday. Today was my first day since being back that I didn't have anything to do...except chores around the house. So, needless to say, it's been a busy last couple of weeks. I'm exhausted. Blake had an ear infection while we were gone too...and that was not fun! It was good seeing family but it's definitely good being home. Now if we can just get back into our routine! Hope you all had a great New Year!!