Christmas Eve

This was the first Christmas that we haven't been with one of our parents.

It was just a little bit strange~

But we were so lucky because both of my sisters stuck around for the holidays as well!

We went up to Chels & Rob's for a delicious Christmas Eve dinner.

And pictures of kiddos eating are always much cuter than the adults, right?!

It is so much fun to see the kids get excited to give each other their gifts.

And then we just hung out, laughed, talked, and had fun. I love my sisters (and their men!) and am SO glad that we all live close. It is such a blast seeing the kids together.
Being with family makes the holidays that much more special!
Merry Christmas Eve!

Merry Merry

Santa

Patiently waiting their turn...West was SO excited to tell him what he wanted!

A little Ho Ho Ho-ing, a few shy guys and there you go.

*Christmas* Sunday Best

Visitors

Shawn & Abby stopped by to wish us a Merry Christmas on their way out to Arizona.
We sure love having them nearby. The boys don't look happy in the picture, but that's just because we made them stop playing for a minute! We all love Shawn & Abby so much!!! (isn't their dog, Gambit, adorable?!)

When Daddy Comes Home Part II

I just can't get over how much I love this man.

Seeing him walk in the door is always one of my favorite parts of the day!

When Daddy Comes Home Part I

a photo essay by Weston

Baby, it's cold outside!

It doesn't matter how cold it is outside, every so often we MUST get out of the house.
The boys had a blast braving the snow and ice.
Weston tried making snow angels, but the snow is pretty frozen now and Tave loved to crunch in it.
If you know me at all, you know that I am NOT a cold-weather person.
But even I had fun...how could I not with these adorable boys?
Being a mother sure gets you out of your comfort zone!

Switcheroo

My good friend, Des, makes these most adorable ties!! I am so in love with them. She asked if I'd want to do a switch and I was in!!

I decided I wanted matching Christmas ties for the boys and I found this awesome Michael Miller fabric.

Des whipped up two of these darling ties:

and here's her handsome Jack in his newsboy beanie from me:
If you're interested in quality, unique, handmade ties-
check out Desi's shop here.

PS- My favorite is the popular paisley tie -- to.die.for. LOVE it.
It's the boys Easter ties!
Thanks, Desi!!!

Christmas Tree Part II: Decorating!

We were a little late getting out all of the Christmas goods...
but the boys didn't mind.
They loved hanging the bells on the tree and Weston HAD to put on the star.
Truly the very best part of Christmas is seeing how excited the kiddos are.
Tave loved his stocking from Grandma D. and both boys had tons of fun playing with Jesus and the nativity.
I love how the simple things become so magical because they are done at Christmas.

Christmas Tree Part I

The boys loved putting up the tree this year!

They both thought it was so great and had a blast helping Dad.

All finished! (photo taken by Weston)

Beans Beans...

We've been stuck inside for awhile so I decided to make a sensory bin.
(pulling out ideas from preschool days!)
1 bag of beans
teaspoons, spoons, plastic cups
little bugs to search for
And voila!
A fun (but messy) afternoon.
They LOVED it and we have played with the beans many many times since!!
(Just be warned: you WILL find beans everywhere. everywhere. But it is worth it!)

ThanksGiving

We had a deliciously cozy, fun-filled, jam packed, busily wonderful day!

13 adults + 6 kiddos = some sort of magic to all fit at the table!

But we did it!! And it was great!!
These pictures look *almost* the same, between the two we have our entire Thanksgiving crew pictured. :)

We had fun talking, chasing kiddos, eating, eating, and of course more eating.


At the end of the day, our cousin Alex stopped by with his sweet wife and adorable 5 kids!! It was so fun to see them again and meet the 2 youngest we had never seen before!


Thanks, everyone, for making our first time hosting Thanskgiving dinner so wonderful and memorable!

Snuggled

After a long day, the boys love to snuggle with their blankets in the love sack and watch a show. (usually while I get dinner going)

They are so sweet and turning into the best of buds.

My heart is full.