CHRISTMAS DAY 2011

LOOK... they have on the same Christmas Pajamas!! YAY!!! I guess the third time is a charm.

Can you see their excitement?

They both went straight for the bikes... funny thing though... Luke went to the little bike, and Grey went to the big bike. Once we got them straightened out, I snapped these.

They dug right in to their stockings.

Both loved the Lighting McQueen Sunglasses that Santa brought.

Santa also brought a Costume Dress-Up Trunk. The Wizard Hat is a favorite.

Then it was time to open some presents.

See how little brother is checking out what big brother is doing.

Daddy got into the present opening action.

More presents... Marc was very excited to give them these.

They were pretty excited about this Thomas Train Track.

Then Daddy got his own Lincoln Logs.

He got right to building.

Grey preferred to sit in the middle of the track.

The best Surprise Gift EVER!!!! For me of course.

Sporting my new Apple Green Hunter Wellies and Winter Beanie.

Santa had these in the boys stockings.

Lately, Marc has been complaining about the fact that he has nothing that he is passionate about or a hobby. So I picked one for him...

I don't think all the gifts were even opened yet before he was online trying to learn how to play it.

Too Cool for School...

Loved riding their bikes in the house.

My Little Wizard.

After all the presents were opened and enjoyed for awhile, Marc got to work making his favorite pie from his Grandma Faucheux's recipe - Tarte Au La Bouillie. He made everything from scratch, including the crust.

It was very YUMMY!! It's a custard type pie, similar to a Sugar Cream Pie, but much much lighter. Simply Delish!!

Early in the afternoon, before dinner, we had a few visitors. Jim and Bonnie Usas came over bearing gifts. Of course, the boys insisted that they needed to opened immediately.

Before they left, Marc put on a little Harmonica Concert for them. If you can't tell, he's playing a little Blues.

We LOVE Mr. Jim and Miss Bonnie!!

Before Marc got too serious into preparing our Christmas feast (Venison Tenderloin, Mashed Potatoes, Noodles, and Green Bean Casserole), we took some family pics. These are all the silly ones...

This one would have been really cute, if Luke didn't have his finger up his nose.

That's better.

Since we kissed, the boys thought they needed to kiss too.

Too cute!

The boys were chill-axin' on their new Pillow Pets while waiting on dinner.

Luke got a Cow, and...

Grey (aka Porkchop) got a Pig, of course.

After dinner, and before it got dark, we took the boys down to the basketball courts so they could ride their bikes.

Grey needed a little help...

while Luke took off at full speed.

Note his feet are not on the pedals. He's waiting to be pushed.

Better yet, he'll just push the bike.

Luke just flew around the court.

Still pushing...

He can definitely ride like the wind, but hasn't got the hang of braking yet.

Marc and I took turns pushing Grey around.

It looks like he's getting close to getting it.

Well... maybe not.

The boys loved this puddle.

After a little while, I started complaining of being frozen, so we put away the bikes, and while I sat in the comfort of the heated truck, Marc took the boys down to the water to throw rocks. He then had the brilliant idea to feed the fish Cheezits. Of course I had to get out to take pics of this. I think this is the Perfect Picture to end a Perfect Day.

We are so blessed to have such beautiful sons.

This Christmas was really Special, but I already can't wait for next year. Maybe Grandma and Grandpa will come share it with us.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

CHRISTMAS EVE 2011

Well, Christmas Eve day started off with a trip to Urgent Care. The day before, it looked to me like Grey might be getting Pink Eye, and since we had people coming over, I wanted to be sure he wasn't contagious. Well he didn't have pink eye, but he did have an ear infection and a chest infection. When I asked the doctor if we could still have people over, he said as long as they are in general good health - yes, but if they have any respiratory problems, like Emphysema - then no. Wouldn't you know it, our friend Linda has Emphysema, so they wouldn't be able to come over.

The day before Christmas Eve, was Petey's last day with us. He enjoyed this spot from which he could watch the boys, to be sure he didn't have to send any last minute Naughty reports back to Santa.

Even though Keith and Linda couldn't make it, Mark Wood did come over. He's always our annual visitor, and we so love having him join us. While we were waiting for him to arrive, I captured this Rare "Quiet" moment of the boys playing together.

After Mark's little visit, we told the boys they could open their One Christmas Eve gift. They were VERY excited. Especially since I waited until the last possible minute to put the gifts under the tree. I just knew if I put them under the tree a few days ahead, they would all have been opened. So I waited. Well, while Grey and I were at the doctor, Marc had taken Luke over to the Myers'. While there, Luke asked Taylor why they had presents under their tree. Taylor and Linda didn't know what to say, so they didn't say anything, but Linda sent me a text giving me a heads up about Luke's concern - Taylor had presents under his tree, but we didn't.

When I got the text, Luke wasn't back home yet, and Grey was napping, so I got busy and put the presents under the tree. Needless to say, when Grey woke up and Luke got home they were quite surprised.

Can you tell they are trying to wait patiently?

The funny thing about opening presents this year, is that Grey would start, but then he would just sit and watch Luke open his. I don't know if he was looking for pointers on how to rip paper, or if he just wanted to see what Luke was getting.

Their first gift was the traditional Christmas Pajamas. This year, I got both boys TWO pairs so that if Grey happened to wake up Christmas morning and would need to be changed, I was prepared. If Grey would have to put on a clean pair, then Luke would have to change. I wanted them to have on matching Pajamas Christmas Morning.

In addition to the "One" Christmas Eve gift, we did let them open their gifts from the Heidel's and the Myers'.

They were happy to have received some new toys.

After they put on their new Christmas pajamas, they had some business to attend to. At school, Luke had received some "Magic Food". The directions said that the food needed to be sprinkled on the lawn. The Magic Glitter sparkling in the moonlight and the smell of the oats would guide Rudolph to the house.

Now we don't really have a lawn, so they boys sprinkled it on the deck.

Rudolph was sure to find our house.

Then it was time for bed, but before getting tucked in so sugarplums could dance in their head, we sat out a little snack for Santa and the reindeer.

Grey is holding a little deer in his hand and feeding it a carrot.

Also before going to bed, I got some pics of them in their new PJs.

Once they were asleep, Santa's Elves arrived...

Christmas Morning was going to be pretty exciting.

CHRISTMAS PROGRAM 2011

Luke's Christmas Program actually happened this year "before" Christmas... weather was good, so it occurred when originally scheduled.

I got the boys all dressed up in their Christmas outfits - from last year. They actually did pretty good at "posing" for me together in front of the tree. But our lighting in the house at night, SUCKS, so all of them turned out fuzzy, so I tried to do a little editing to distract from that fact.

Here they are...

They did the program a little different this year by performing in the Fellowship Hall rather than in the Sanctuary. The lighting for pictures was WAY better, but we didn't realize that in order to get a good seat, we probably should have arrived an hour early rather than right on time. This means, our seats were way in the back, and off to one side.

When the Four Year Old performance started, I moved to the middle to try to get a better view for taking pics. This is the traditional, "Wave at your Family".

After this, I decided I needed to get closer, so I went up the center aisle and sat on the floor.

I'm so glad Luke was in the front row. His teacher, Miss Sarah, is in the purple sweater.

He didn't sing all that much, but he did do some of the hand motions.

This was the view from our seats... way in the back.

After the program, Santa was due to arrive to hand out gifts that the school was giving to all the children. We stuck around for a little while, but it was taking forever for Santa to arrive.... so I put my camera away, and we got ready to leave. And wouldn't you know it, as soon as I closed my camera bag, Santa came out from the kitchen. Since we were in the back (by the kitchen), Luke and Grey were the first kids that Santa saw. They were so excited, and yelled "it's Santa". He came right up to them and gave them both hugs.

So sad I don't have a photo of this, but I will cherish that memory forever. That really is what is SO wonderful about this blog... journaling all these Special Little Moments.