Christmas '09

This Christmas was really lovely. Both of the boys enjoyed seeing the lights and decorations, making ornaments and cookies, and opening presents. Elliott even got in on the wrapping this year and pulled a book off our bookshelf and wrapped it for Pappy. It was really sweet of him.

We made a Jesse Tree this year - reading scriptures from Creation through the birth of Jesus and coloring an ornament with a symbol for each story. It was a little chaotic though.

Elliott was most excited about presents this year. He got his long-awaited Handy Manny Motorcycle from his great-grandparents. On Christmas morning, he opened his very own little MP3 player and headphones - that was quite a hit. Matt had loaded it with his favorite songs. All of his cousins braved the cold that evening to come see it in our van. It's so nice that the boys have cousins to grow up with! Aaron got some of his own tools and a medical kit that we've been using on the stuffed animals.

We hosted our annual New Year's party and got to catch up with friends and enjoy some adult conversation. We're thankful for grandparents who are so happy to watch our kids! As usual, Matt took off the week between Christmas and New Year's so we had a full 11 days of Daddy being home. It was nice to have some time to relax after all the events on Christmas. I think Matt was ready to return to work though!

We're thankful for a wonderful Christmas and looking forward to 2010!

More Presents

We exchanged presents with my grandparents on Christmas Eve. Elliott finally got his Handy Manny Motorcycle. He has been wanting it for months and months and has stopped to look at it every time we've been to Target since August. I was so happy for him to open this toy that he's been waiting so patiently for. He has deemed it his favorite Christmas present this year. And not to be outdone, Aaron got his own Handy Manny toolbox so he can keep up with big brother.

Presents

Pre-Christmas Fun

Decorating Christmas Cookies at Mimi and Pops' House

Who knew water bottles could delight little boys? Aaron and Elliott both like drinking out of our Camelbak water bottles, so when I saw the kid versions (with pirates no less) at LL Bean with Free Shipping...well, I just couldn't help myself. So the boys got Pre-Christmas presents to open...and one is already missing. I need to see if it might be hiding under a seat in the van.

One of our Christmas traditions is to pack up some special snacks and hot chocolate and ride around to look at Christmas lights. Here are the boys in front of one of the houses that we visited. Santa was on hand for a visit but our boys just wanted his candy canes!

Overdue Christmas Pictures

I'm not really going in order, but I have received a request to get some new material up on the blog - so here goes! It drives me crazy to be out of order, but in the interest of getting something accomplished, I'm going to try it.

The Saturday after Christmas we went bowling with Matt's extended family. The boys had a blast in the arcade and on the kiddie lanes. They had these little bowling balls and kid-sized lanes that were just right for young bowlers. I think there will be another trip there soon. Maybe that will be a good motivator for Elliott to fill up his Good Behavior Pirate Chart!