Too much

This morning was just too much.....too much tissue paper.....too much excitement....too much fun for a little bean on his first Christmas.

Worth Remembering

This morning...after all the work of little elves last night....MJD woke up way too early and was a super ninja and snuck into our room.....right past the tree, presents and truck! Without even stopping. (He had to pee!)

We confined him to our room for a while and tried to get him to sleep....at least wait until the baby woke up so we could all do Christmas together. While we were in bed chatting about the day ahead our conversation went like.....

Me: Do you think Santa brought you any presents this year?

MJD: Yes, I been good.

Me: Really?

MJD: Yes, I been good....well, a little bad, but not big bad so it's ok.

Love listening to him. And yes, Santa did bring presents, because it is okay that we're all a little bad. Good thing we've got a big God to make things right.

First Ride

Brothers out on their first ride!

Christmas Morning Excitement

It's Christmas morning!!!! Santa came with presents....mainly the much anticipated and very much loved "Blue Adventure Truck!"

Merry Christmas Eve

It's Christmas Eve 2011.....

Reindeer food has been laid out (ants will swarm the front yard I am sure!)

Santa's oatmeal cookies have been baked, tested and placed out by the tree.....

(Bean spent the baking time jumping in his bouncer waiting for the food.)

MJD wanted a big cookie for Santa....Daddy (um... I mean Santa) was a little bummed it was so big.

Christmas stories were read....one from Mama and one from Daddy.

There are not words to express what this little bean has been doing when he gets in front of the camera!!!!
What a little ham!

Pictures of the boys in their Christmas jammies were taken in front of the tree before bed.

We said good night and good bye to our Elf~ Theodore.

And then some real big elves got all the presents for everyone wrapped and placed under the tree, and the big winner from Santa got brought into the house.

Patterns

See any patterns????

(Yes, that is chicken in one cup and pretzels in the other! He ate both cups!)

(2 slices of pizza were cut up for this little critter!!!)

Big Red Mailbox

I know some families don't do the whole Santa tradition and to each their own. This is totally not a rant about why you should or shouldn't believe in Santa.....but I remember as a little girl the joy, anticipation and excitement of Santa Claus. In believing in something magical and ridiculous and exciting. I suppose in many ways my life stories have always been shaped around believing in magical tales greater than my reality, but the psycho analysis of myself can be saved for another night. Either way, Tim and I decided we would be a Santa Claus Christmas tradition family.

Yes, we do tie Santa Claus and presents into the nativity story, so it's not a commercialized event at our house (and we're even those crazy over analytical ones, well I am, who researched the perspectives of leading Christian children therapists and their views on teaching about Santa and incorporating it into faith).....but part of the excitement of Santa is the preparations for the big arrival.....such as mailing Santa a letter. (When I was little the U.S. Post Office used to accept the letters and would even send a letter from Santa to your address! But alas, they no longer accept them. So thank heavens for Macys!)

MJD and I went into the mall the other day and wrote out a letter to Santa....well he tried, I held his hand for it and then he mailed it :)

In so many ways I am glad we are doing this. I love seeing the magical excitement in his eyes. I love seeing him absorb everything around him. Even down to the way he contemplates getting mad about something when I remind him his "light" might turn from green to red and Santa won't come.

I just love watching my kid love this time of year.

Px4

Peak.....watching my man in church today during worship while he held my big little guy.

Pit.....I stepped on the scale and gained 5 pounds, ugh!

Prayer.....safe travels and fun time with my sister this week.

Praise.....Christmas is around the corner and all my loved ones are healthy, safe, and happy. What more could I ask for.

Casie and baby Olivia

One of my dearest friends is expecting her second little one and it's her very much dreamed for little girl!!!! She didn't get maternity shots with her first babe, so this go around I promised her I would take some for her. Not quite professional, but we sure had fun!

Can not wait to hold sweet little Olivia Jane and give her a big smooch!

Good morning 28!

I woke up this morning and a blinking light on my phone indicated some photos were up from yesterday's family photo shoot.....I couldn't help but pull them from FB and share!

With a crew like this in your life, how could I not love getting older with them and sharing another year together.

Time to get going, lunches to be made and babes to get dressed for the day!

Smiles, Smiles and more Smiles!

These just make me happy!