Christmas Day!

Christmas was wonderful this year. We loved making a few of our own traditions and being in our home together. The boys are both at SUCH fun ages and I can honestly say this was one of my most favorite Christmases.

We started with stockings & Santa gifts (all on the couch) and then had a delicious breakfast of cinnamon rolls.

Then we headed over to the tree to open our gifts from each other and from family. We talked and laughed, and opened things slowly. We took lots of pictures and played with each item before moving on to something new. We talked about Jesus and why we really celebrate Christmas and sang songs.

It was magical in every way.

The setup

They were so excited, this was the best we could get in their adorable Christmas pjs. They LOOOOVE these superhero pjs- these pjs make them faster, stronger, and able to fly. Truly. ;)

The boys were so cute together. They loved watching each other open things and had a great time playing with EVERYTHING!!!

Weston:

Tave:

Jeff & Nicole:

We went simple this year and got each other what we needed: coats and scarves! We LOVE them!


We saved the *biggest* for last:

This fun kitchen was a gift from the grandparents and us. We pooled all the money everyone sent and then some. They LOVE it and play with it all the time.

I did a switch with one of my friends for the darling chef sets. They love the aprons and West thinks his hat is so cool, but Tave insists on wearing underwear as a hat. so funny!

Merry Merry Christmas!

Christmas Eve- Later

The very very best Christmases come when you are a parent.

At least for us.

It is so fun to pick out each gift for the boys and to get excited about seeing their little faces on Christmas morning.

And of course, the Christmas Eve set up:

This is a combined gift from the Texas grandparents (the goods and the greats)

and us.

You'll get to find out in the next post how the boys liked it!

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!)