New Years Eve

On New Years Eve the kids got out the lego's and bristle blocks they had gotten for Christmas and they had fun building. Dawson was upset that Easton didn't want to share his new bristle blocks. At one point it got a little heated and Dawson said "Easton never shares!" Aaron replied... "He shares... you just have to share with him when he is not looking!" I laughed so hard. It was so funny, and so true! Dallon worked for hours building a star wars ship. He loves doing stuff like that. We had fruit fondue, dipping all our favorite fruits in chocolate and carmel... (a family tradition). After that we watched the ball drop with New York at 11pm. Cheered Happy New Year and went to bed.

missing her already

I had the opportunity to see my sister over Christmas break. It was so much fun to be around her. Since she left I have been really homesick for her. Maybe feeling even a little bit ripped off that we live 27 hours away from each other. I would love to live by her! But my husband's career is here... and her husband's will be there after he graduates. Both of us have great lives where we are... it's just a sadness that we live so far apart. I came across this picture on a blog today and I just love the neat things this lady does with simple pictures and words. (notebookdoodles.blogspot.com) Here is a favorite pic of my sis from her trip here. We had so much fun playing spoons one night.

christmas break fun

It was very cold during Christmas break and it even snowed. Dawson was very proud when he came to show me his first snowman that was small enough to hold in the palm of his hand. So cute.

Easton with Pappy and Mammy.

Easton is sick right now with RSV bronchialitis. Jenna helped out with several breathing treatments. And trust me, getting out of it was a treat for me.
Mammy and Pappy had given the boys bb guns for Christmas. The boys went outside everyday and shot their bb guns. Pappy and Uncle Jared both spent time with them teaching them how to hit the target and just gun safety in general.

Uncle Jared and Dawson.

Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas at home with our boys. They were full of excitement and loved every gift they were given. We spent the day at home hanging out, putting toys together, looking for more batteries, and just enjoying each other.

Christmas Eve 2009

We had a really nice Christmas Eve. It all started out decorating our stockings. A tradition that the boys just love. Dallon and Dawson had sketched out their ideas for the stocking earlier in the day just because they were so excited. They both did their stockings on their own and I was way impressed. Dawson loved his so much. He kept saying... "this is the best stocking I've ever done", "I love it Mom!" Dallon did Easton's for him this year.

The boys and I made cupcakes for Santa. Easton loved those cupcakes. He kept sneaking up to the counter to try to snatch another one.Here he is on his favorite chair helping himself to another cupcake... Busted!
We have a waffle dinner every year on Christmas Eve. That is a tradition that my family did during my childhood. I have the fondest memories of sitting around our dinner table with my mom and dad on Christmas eve during waffle dinner. This year we were given a new waffle maker that makes texas shaped waffles so that was really fun.
The boys were so excited to open their one christmas eve present. The had set them out in the middle of the living room floor and were running around them in circles until mom was ready to come watch. It was so cute. Their excitement was so contagious. I just love being around children at Christmas time.
We decided to give each boy a reindeer name this year. To label all their presents in their reindeer name. So all month long the boys shook presents and wondered, am I Comet? Dasher? or maybe Blitzen? It drove them nuts not knowing which presents were theirs. But it also added a whole new level of excitement. It was so fun to hear Dallon and Dawson guess which reindeer they thought they were. A week before Christmas Dallon said, "I'm either Comet or Dasher, but I know for sure I'm not Blitzen." I laughed so hard because he indeed was Blitzen but he had no idea. On Christmas Eve we told them all to grab the Christmas Eve present for the reindeer that they thought they were. Open it. And see if it's your size pajama's inside. If not trade with the reindeer who they will fit. And that is how they found out what reindeer they were this christmas. It was really fun. Easton was Comet. Dawson was Dasher. Dallon was Blitzen.

Love Dawson's face as he see's Dallon open up his dream pajama's. He is so excited.
The boys in the pj's. Dawson couldn't have been more excited about his. He totally loves Mario right now.

Dawson writing a note to Santa. It says... "Dear Santa, I hope the reindeer like the food that I put on the grass. Merry Christmas. Love Dawson. I hope that I been a good boy."

The Nativity...

a new family tradition for us starting this year. It is something that I know a lot of you do with your families and I think that is so neat. We found what we had around the house to dress the kids up so that they could act out the nativity. Dallon was so excited about it. The minute I told him what we were going to do he hurried and found things and put together his own costume. He had all of his lines memorized before we even got started. I ended up being Mary because with just 3 kids we needed more actors. Aaron narrated. Each of the kids had lines to say as they acted out their parts. I felt the spirit so strong and was really moved watching my children read their lines and tell the story of Jesus' birth. It was really nice to take an evening and remember the true meaning of Christmas.

Afterwards we moved to the piano where Dallon played Silent Night, and Angels We Have Heard On High on the piano and we all sang those songs as a family. Dallon had been practicing those songs all month and the music was played beautifully. It was a special night for our family... one I will not ever forget.

Holiday in the Park

Last weekend our family and some good friends of ours went to Six Flags Holiday in the Park. It was fun and festive. While there we stopped by Santa's Castle and each boy took a few minutes on his lap telling Santa what he was wishing for.

Ben, Amy and Belle spent the evening with us. Belle loves wiggles world and all the kids had a good time together there. Dallon and Dawson loved riding the rides with her.

Except for the few minutes that Easton was on Santa's lap, he spent the rest of the evening in the stroller. He was a real champ... we were there 4 hours.

picnic at brackenridge park

My neighbor friend, Elsa, and I took our kids on a picnic today. The weather was gorgeous. And it was so fun to get outside and spend some quality time with my kids. We rode the train and the kids played on this really fun fort at the park that my boys just love. I'm so glad it's Christmas break. I'm excited to spend this time with my boys.