Christmas Morning

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! Colton understood what Christmas was so that made the day all the more entertaining for Parker and I. We made sure to put a huge emphasis on why we celebrate Christmas so the kids knew the meaning behind it. Every time we asked Colton why we celebrate Christmas he would tell us that we give presents because of Jesus' birthday. It was an extra bonus that Christmas fell on a Sunday. We were able to go to church and really feel the Spirit. We ended our day at the Jones' house for dinner (they go to our church) and they prepared a feast! Me and my pregnant sell indulged big time. We came back to our house and played game after game. It was lovely to be with friends and family on such a special day.

All set up for Christmas morning...

Colton and Paxton really loved this tool bench. Now, they are always trying to  "build" something.

New games for the boys. I think I have played Candy Land 96 times in the days since Christmas.

Colton's favorite gift was a Leapster. His cousins have one and he has wanted one for a long time.

I got a vacuum. My nice husband bought me a DYSON!!!!

Aunt Shelly bought these guys Xploderz guns. They were super excited to play with them but the pull back handle to make them fire was too much for these two. I took them back and got them some noisy laser shooter type guns. I don't know what I was thinking!

From our family to yours

Paxton turns 2!

Paxton turned two last Thursday! I can hardly believe this kid is two. He is talking up a storm and he has so much character packed into that little body. We started off the day with balloons and party hats and enjoyed Paxton's favorite breakfast of waffles and cereal. After breakfast, we went to playgroup which was a Christmas party with a craft, a gift exchange, and chaos. We made sure to bring some birthday cupcakes to celebrate with all the playgroup friends.We finished off the night with presents (the favorite being the dinosaurs someone gave us for free!) and a trip to Red Robin. It was such a fun day. Love you, Pax!

Avery Dennison Christmas Party

Avery Dennison has a huge Christmas party each year and it's catered to children.  How great is that?!  They gave AMAZING gifts to each kid, had bouncy houses, balloon artists, face painters, and train rides-- all indoors.  I think we spent three hours at the party before the kids (and ourselves) were spent. Each of our kids got two gifts and they couldn't have been happier. We are so blessed that Parker works for such an amazing company!

Colton and Paxton are in the green car of the train.

Paxton was obsessed with all of these blow up lawn ornaments.

Colton loved this bouncy house. It was kind of like an obstacle course. Colton is the kid climbing the ladder, leaving the other kid in the dust. Proud parent!

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

We opted to go to Home Depot to get our Christmas tree this year.  It's a whole quarter of a mile down the street from our apartment.  Colton picked out our tree, and I must say, he made a good pick. We love the smell of a fresh cut tree.  I put on the lights and the kids went crazy putting on ornaments.  Everyone was covered in glitter by the end of the night.  It was a perfect Friday night.

Picking the tree!  One day, I am going to be in the pictures....

Bowling!!!

During our visit to Virginia, we decided to go bowling. This was a first for our kids and they seemed to really like it. For about three frames. After a few frames, Parker and I were bowling for ourselves and for one of the kids. We all had fun but we will probably wait a few years before taking the kids again :)

Who knew they made such little bowling shoes? These are Paxton's feet.

A Very Virginia Thanksgiving

Parker's sister, Aimee, lives in Virginia and invited us to Thanksgiving-- we accepted.  The drive was 7 hours (with $17 bucks in tolls-- so ridiculous) and BEAUTIFUL! The last two or so hours are all small, back road highways so you really get to see the beautiful state that Virginia is. Aimee and her family were the perfect hosts for the few relaxing days we were able to stay. Aimee and her husband, Dave, have two girls (I think ages 12 and 9?) who played and played with my boys. It was such a treat to have my boys occupied for long stretches of time. I hope we get to go back sooner rather than later.

Aimee and Ashley making rolls.

Dave made sausage stuffed mushrooms for an appetizer. You don't see any because I ate them ALL.

Paxton didn't care to cook. He just wanted to wear the apron :)

Dave carving a beautiful (and tasty) bird.

The feast.

Happy and full of good cookin'.

Our Family Pictures

I set up my camera and had a friend snap away. These are the best of the bunch. I will have to post the bloopers later. The kids made for some funny pictures.

A Photo Shoot

Some friends of ours needed pictures for their Christmas card. I came to their rescue!

"Big Trucks!"

Our Church held an emergency preparedness fair for the community today. There was loads of information on 72 hour kits, food and water storage, gardening, and first aid. Parker and I went to get some good ideas on really getting serious about food storage, the kids went to see the fire trucks! Our local fire department brought an ambulance, brush fire rig, and a huge fire engine. The fire fighters took us on a tour of each, the kids loved it!

Here is Colton in the back of an ambulance (and hopefully this is the ONLY time), he thought it was great that they had equipment to help animals in case of a fire. 

The $90,000 brush fire rig was from a government grant the fire chief wrote. It was SWEET. It carries close to 300 gallons of water and they let the kids spray the hose. The boys thought it was AWESOME (as you can see from Pax's face!)

Sitting in the bucket seats on the back of the brush fire rig.

On the front of the fire truck. This was the best picture I could get...

Inside the church, they had a kids station. The play dough kept them occupied for a solid hour. I guess it's time for me to start making some!