Christmas at Nana's

After spending the morning at our house we headed over to Nana's to celebrate.  When we got there we found out that there was a small fire next door and that her power was out.  Thankfully, most of lunch was cooked before the power went out, and for what wasn't cooked her neighbors were willing to help out.  It was interesting to celebrate in the dark.....definitely a year we will not forget!  Also, before we left Nana's to head to Grandma's house it started to snow!  What great memories!!!

I love this picture of the kids catching snowflakes on their tongues!

Happy Birthday Jesus!

One of our family traditions is to make birthday pancakes for Jesus on Christmas morning and sing happy birthday.  We got a little creative this year and decided to add sprinkles to the pancake mix which turned out great.  I am thinking that next year I may add some whip cream :)  I really love this tradition and I think it is a great way to remind the boys that we are celebrating the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ.

Merry Christmas Morning!

We spent Christmas morning at our house, just the 4 of us.  Luke woke up around 6am and came to our room saying, "There is a big truck in the living room!!  Can I go look at it?"  He was so excited, but had no problems waiting until little brother got up an hour and a half later to get the morning started.  The boys spent a lot of time playing on the tractor, then we ate pancakes, then we finished up by opening a few presents and emptying out the stockings.  We had a great morning playing with the new toys and climbing on the tractor (it was too cold to take it for a spin outside).

Just a side note...the boys were dressed in matching Christmas jammies when we put them to bed on Christmas Eve, but Benjamin was soaking wet when he got up.  Thankfully, he fit into the same jammies that Luke wore on his first Christmas!

 This kid loved climbing on the tractor!

 Thank you Grandma Blum and Grandpa Herb for sending presents!

He loves this puzzle!

 

Christmas Eve

We spent Christmas Eve down at the Keels' house like we do most years.  This year was a bit smaller considering Uncle Bub (and family) and Brian and Channing couldn't make it.  Despite the smaller crowd we managed to have a good time!  Thanks Ginger for hosting and feeding us some good food!

A Night Out

Gigi was nice enough to watch the boys one night while Andy and I went to his work Christmas party.  It was nice to dress up and get away for the evening.  I think Luke and Ben had fun hanging with Gigi, too!

Christmas Program

Luke's school put on a Christmas program the first week in December.  Each class went on stage and performed a few different songs.  These kids were so cute!  Luke did a really good job, despite a few pre-stage nerves!  Afterwards we went out for some ice cream to celebrate.  I am looking forward for many more Christmas programs to come!

Santa in the Park

On the afternoon of Benji's birthday we headed down to the neighborhood park for the annual Santa in the Park festivities.  We first went in 2010 when Luke was a baby, so we were happy to take Ben for his first visit with Santa (we were a little tied up in 2011 to make it). 

Luke was excited to see Santa right up until we got in the line -- then reality hit.  He didn't cry, but he was in NO way going to sit on his lap.  We were able to talk him into standing in front of Santa while Ben sat in his lap.  As you can see from the pictures, Luke did what he does best under stress (see pic #1) and Benji held up his end of the deal and cried!  These will be fun pictures to get out when the boys get older :)

We spent the rest of the time playing at the park and doing Christmas crafts.  Luke and Ben both love to swing and Luke is really enjoying swinging in the big boy swing.  They also spent a lot of time going down the slides.  Benji is a natural and loves everything about the slide.  Luke always takes a bit to warm up, but before we leave he is usually wanting to go down the slide on his belly or back.  I love my kids!!

Look what his big brother taught him ;)