Big Boy Meals!

Such a Big Boy!

Weekend Without My Boys

The end of January.

That was the plan.

A full 3 day weekend without my boys!

I was so excited about a "Mommy Break". I mean... to sleep in, have some girl time, do whatever I wanted with my time! I couldn't wait...but I also had no idea what I was going to do without my boys!

Matt had a Bachelor Party Ski Trip, a long weekend planned for his friend Kyle. Nanny and Poppy agreed to watch little man, so Matt took Case along with him and dropped him off in Ashland on the way.

The first night was so strange, Matt came home from work early, about 4:00pm packed quickly and we said our Good-bye's. About half an hour later, I decided to go ahead and go to the grocery, I got up, put my boots on, grabbed my purse and felt lost! No one to say Good-bye to, no one to pack up in the car seat, no little buddy to go shopping with...it was so weird!

The weekend flew by, and besides not being able to sleep very well with Matt not there, I had a very relaxing weekend. I was going to either paint our bedroom or organize the garage...but with the rainy weather and cloudy days I had no motivation and was lazy the entire time :) Matt told me I deserved it, and I savored every moment.

Well Sunday finaaaallly rolled around, and my boys were on their way home, Matt called to say he was about 5 minutes from the house and I paced the entire time. I watched the 4Runner pull onto our street, saw Matt as he scooped up our baby, and I couldn't hold back the tears when I held my boys in my arms again.

I am so glad my boys had such a fun weekend, Matt had so much fun hanging with his buddies, Case had a blast with Nanny and Poppy and their new puppy Lance (whom I can't wait to meet) and I had a much needed lazy relaxing weekend.

So good to have them home though :)

Snow Snow Snow

Our Day Playing in the Snow!

I think Case is going to like the cold weather just like his Daddy does!

Christmas

Oh my goodness am I late on this one or what??

Christmas seemed like a whirl wind looking back on it, but it was so much fun!

Matt and I were so excited to see Case's reactions to everything this year, last year he was only 3 months old, so he mostly slept through all the festivities.

Our tradition has always been to put up the Christmas tree the Sunday we get back into town after Thanksgiving weekend, Case was an angel and took a three hour nap while we drug out all of our Christmas tubs, and set up the tree. It was fluffed and lit by the time we heard him waking up, and Matt and I couldn't wait to see his reaction! Coming down the stairs Case was wide eyed and said "Oooohhhhhh....Ooooooo" over and over, taking in this huge green thing that now graced his living room!

We had fun decorating the tree, being careful to put the soft and unbreakable ornaments at the bottom this year so tiny hands couldn't hurt anything. :)

Matt decided he'd take a break this year from putting up Christmas lights, since this was the last year he could probably get away with it (without the begging of a certain little man to have them up! Ha!)

I love shopping for our family, and this year I painted again, I actually painted four paintings in one night in just a few hours! I was so stressed about time and it all fell together so nicely! Such a relief :) Hey I even knitted a scarf! I was productive!! :)

Ok...so now to the good stuff.

Christmas + Toddler = So much Fun.

Christmas with Ryan and Virginia:

Ryan and VA got him the cutest vintage "Little People" set, that he literally played with non-stop that entire week. That's a looong time in toddler years.

Avery got Paint Pens for Christmas which turned into some face painting...so funny!

Can we say "Good Sport" ??

Christmas Morning was spent at our house, it was quiet and went by way too fast!

Then it was on to a full day of family. We had brunch at Amy & Tim's house with the kids and Mom and Dad. I forgot my camera so I don't have any pictures :(

We had so much fun over there, Avery squealed with delight as she opened her Sponge Bob PJ's from Mommom & Grand-Dad...cutest thing ever! The boys were excited about their presents, and Case thought my handheld vacuum cleaner was a toy. :)

After brunch we were off to Ashland for the weekend, and this year had Christmas as soon as we got there, everyone showed up at the same time, it worked out nicely and the presents began!

Words can't express what you feel when you see your child light up on Christmas morning (and day and evening in our case.)

We are so unbelievably blessed, and thankful for everyone in our lives, especially at Christmas.

We love you all.