Post Christmas Fun

On our last night with Brian's family, we headed out to Zoolights for some Christmas lights fun.  It wasn't warm but it was definitely beautiful.  This is where I realized that the camera I've been using (which is really just my video camera on photo setting) has no flash.  So lights pictures did not happen. \

We did get to see Santa swimming with the sharks!  He even called out Lucas - saying he was glad we had a firefighter present to help out!  He then called the boys over for a picture with him - too cool!  (Thanks Angie for snapping the pic!)

 We also got to see some very cute (and not so small) baby tigers.  Ethan loves baby animals - he was mesmerized.  Me too!

 The next day was a big lunch with all and then they were on their way.   Lucas was most emotional this year - so sad to see them go.  We relaxed, napped, and geared up for a day of adventure on Friday!
Since the boys have been very very little, I like to take them on adventures.  We just get up and go - figuring it all out as we go, and just enjoying the time together.  There are some basic rules for adventuring with kids - 1)  Don't stress about getting anywhere fast - you won't.  2)  Realize that the boys enjoy the different forms of transportation far more than they enjoy the destinations....   3)  Point out how cool everything is around you - be observant and open to tweaking your adventure to include something else.....
So off we went - ferry, lightrail.....   And really, that would have been fine with the boys....

We ended up at the Gingerbread Village at the Sheraton - so amazing!  The line was horribly long, but the boys were awesome while we waited.  We talked lots about life in general and the great Christmas we'd had.  We also tried to peek ahead and steal some ideas for our houses next year.....
The Aladdin was a favorite - obviously.....

 Alice in Wonderland was impressive - like amazing!  So much to see - it was beautiful.

 My own Tweedle-Dee and Tweedle -Dum really liked all the details and were super observant, picking out cool strategies and tricks for the houses.  We've already decided we'll have to do some sculpting with rice krispie treats next year!

 Next stop was the Winter Carousel down by Westlake.  The boys love a good carousel....

 Though they were more excited about the mini doughnuts next door.  And they were good!

 At this point it was time to head back to meet Brian after work and check out a fancy italian restaurant he'd always wanted to try.  Since we were withing 24 hours of his birthday, we happily obliged.

 It was fancy - and expensive - but also incredibly delicious and had awesome ambience.  An owner named Luigi, a waiter named Giuseppe, and the most amazing Tiramisu we'd ever had!  Great memories!

 The ferry ride back was one UNO game after another - leaving Ethan way out ahead of us all in wins - how does that happen?  The adventure?  It was perfect!
The next day was birthday festivities at my parents'.  A great dinner, lego partyware, and homemade doughnuts - yum!

 The night wouldn't be complete without a game of UNO - I'm telling you, we're obsessed!

Happy 32 babe - So glad to have been a part of so many of those.  We love you and are so thankful for all you do for us.  You are one amazing guy!

Merry Christmas 2012

Santa Came!  After a pretty busy night, we woke up to stockings filled, cookies eaten, and reindeer food snarfed up.  The living room looked gorgeous - this family better not keep growing :)

 The kids all waited downstairs - so patiently.   I have so many memories waiting anxiously to get to come up (down) the stairs with my cousins.

 We couldn't get Cooper to sit still long enough to take the pic - and Brian had to make an appearance, but we got the traditional stairs pic.

 The next little bit felt like this picture - blurry and festive!

 The boys saw the stacks that were theirs and saw the note from Santa to open the safe.....

 Anticipation mounted as they tried to figure out what was in there....

 Ethan was thrilled at the Pokemon toy....

 Until Lucas noticed something else in his safe....  A DSI?

 "Well Mom, Sorry, but I guess Santa doesn't always listen to Moms."  They were so darn excited.  And I'm sure Santa has a great explanation for the great Christmas Heist of 2012.

 It was a fun morning of opening, eating, laughing, and playing.  I loved how excited the boys were for each and every gift.  And the 23,323 pictures they took on their DS's.  One of my favorite gifts for Lucas was this giant cardboard train that is currently occupying our laundry room - it's huge!  He got a train whistle from Santa as well, so he's all set and loves pretending in that thing!

 The littlest boy got a private opening time during nap time for the big kids.  He loved all the attention and loved his new toys before he had to share them with his brother.

A great day of family, love, and gratitude!  I guess Santa didn't ruin it after all!

Christmas Prep

I'm going to just give you short updates - lots to do around here :)

We had a snow day!  And the boys loved playing in the snow -but it was gross and wet, so they didn't last long...

 Hot cocoa and gingerbread houses made it better......

 We found the advent calendar my grandpa made - Lucas was obsessed - checking it every few minutes to see if it changed....

 Lucas is so into traditions - and loved decorating the tree...

 He was very proud of his work - and it looks fabulous!

 Grammy, Grandpa, Angie, Cole, and Cooper arrived and the fun began!  Gingerbread houses are a big tradition around here!

 I shared with Lucas - which means I took over....

 Ethan made his into a hobbit house - and put ear muffs onto Gandalf because it's cold there...  

 All three were cute - and make a cute little village.

 Another Sunday, another Christmas program....  Joseph and the Shepherd were adorable.

 It was adorable - My favorite part was when Lucas kept poking Baby Jesus- which was a pillow.  He even picked it up at one point....

 We had a nice happy hour back at the house - lots of love and laughs!

 Today was cookie baking day after a whole lot of shopping!

 Complete with Ninjabread cookies!

 Christmas lights, church, and then time for Christmas jammies!

We tried for pictures, but that was difficult...

 Lucas got to open up his gift from his brother - an angry birds trash can!! And he loved it!

 Ethan opened up the Wimpy Kid book series - which apparently was all he wanted, so we're good!

 We ended the night by building a reindeer landing strip on the back porch - and sprinkling reindeer food all over the porch (hope it blows away before the oatmeal soaks up any rain!)

 Cookies for Santa, and we're all set to go!  

Merry Christmas Eve everyone!

Christmassy Christmasness

The last couple of weeks have been full of preparations for Christmas and celebrations!  First off, my students got to make the business they studied out of a graham cracker house - which we had to try out at home first.  The boys love to try things out :)

We decided we better just get some lights up on the house - well, on the tree anyway.  Lucas loves being outside for any reason, so he was thrilled.

Our light display leaves much to be desired...  it is not impressive at all...  So that's why I just went out and bought a bunch more :).  Only, it's been raining ever since....

 We got to go to a fun play last weekend with our friends - A Snow White Christmas.  I knew a bunch of the kids in it and Ethan got a bit jealous.  Guess he'll be auditioning next year....

 This weekend we had a million and one chores to do in between the two main events....  Saturday was Christmas with my parents and Nana - so fun!  The boys LOVED stuffing stockings and getting to play Santa.  I love that they have inherited our love for giving.  They get just as excited to give gifts as get them.  And if it's clothes?  They much prefer giving to getting....

 It was great to have some time with Nana.  We love her so!  And she knew just what the boys would swoon over - gift cards to Toys R Us.  That is a big hit!

 The favorite gift we made was a set of Happy Hour glasses for my parents.  We took the directions off another project on Pinterest and made it our own!  The boys made all the dots using acrylic paint and qtips and then I stenciled on the HH.  Bake for a half hour in the oven and it's sealed!  They came out really cute!

I loved watching the boys try to figure out the binoculars.  It took them awhile to figure out to look at things far away - not each other's noses....

 Ethan's best gift was wrapping up his report card to show Uma and Upa.  I stole it back of course, but just to see how proud he was of the comments made me one happy mama.

 And then today....  Today was the BIG day!  We had our church Christmas Musical.  I directed, Brian helped with sound, and Ethan and Lucas were absolutely delightful!!!  Ethan started the morning confident.....

 But pretty soon I could tell he was pretty freaked out - as he should have been...  A whole lot of lines and 2 big solos....  (Which he did awesome at!)

 I was mostly nervous about Lucas - my super shy and anxious kid.  He's always wanted to be in plays since Aladdin this summer (Ethan's summer camp play), but I never imagined he'd actually do it.

I was totally wrong.  He was hilarious.  I could hear him belting out the songs and his motions were priceless.  I had to keep from watching him or I'd get confused....It was a very proud moment for me.  One, it was all about the true meaning of Christmas - and I could tell that he truly felt what he was saying.  Two - he did an amazing job playing the sad, slightly pathetic little boy that can't get a part in the play.  He had them crying, laughing, and cheering with him by the end.  Pretty much I just cried.  So proud.
And it was great for me too.  I love those kids (not just mine - all of them) and I loved getting to work with them.
This is our last week of school, and our last week until Brian's whole family shows up for the holiday.  Which means it is a lot of cleaning, prepping, gifting, and excitement!
Have I mentioned I love Christmas?