Family Pictures 2014

The Rest of Christmas Break

Since our busy and fun celebrations of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, we've mostly been hanging out at home and playing like crazy!!!  We tried to take it slow with the toys and only open one or two new ones each day.  Mommy usually had to figure out and explain and supervise, and Mommy felt the need to stretch it out over the whole break!  The boys were so happy with their remote control cars . . . until they figured out one of the remotes controls both cars and the other remote is useless.  They were sold completely separately, so there's no reason why they should be connected to the same remote.  Weird, but it's working out.  First, they have to take turns using the remote and that's always a good lesson to practice.  Second, both cars run around like wild and that makes everyone laugh a lot!

We spent one cool afternoon mixing our own paints.  For a couple of hours, we selected colors, shook our white paint with chosen color strips, and then named our finished paints: Bowie Blue, Dinosaur Green, Iron Man Red, Mommy Pink, Rangers Blue, Dragon Green, and 10 other equally fun names.  We also painted lots of pictures with our new paints.  Two afternoons of painting made lots of pictures! 

Lincoln has really enjoyed his The Lego Movie video game!  It is a little surprising that he's really good.  He pays attention to each little detail and somehow knows how to accomplish each project/mission without much help.  We are figuring out the "screen time" balance:  he wants to play more than his Mommy wants to let him.  He and Daddy are going to get started on Madden Football soon.   

We have had our daily homework breaks and reading lessons.  We complete Mrs. Bailey's homework assignment then read two level 1 books.  We are both glad when he recognizes a sight word or an easy word, but we are both really proud when he slowly sounds out a new word and gets it right.  Being a part of teaching a child to read is a little amazing.  While there are little struggles or frustrations, I can just imagine when he's older and can read anything.  I'll never forget the moments we share figuring out words, and what that opens up for a lifetime.   

This little guy has been soaking up the fun over the break.  One afternoon he was really enjoying his new CD in his room.  He mostly works on art projects while he listens to his Mickey sing-a-long.  Also he wraps presents like his big brother.  They both really treasured the wrapping paper scraps I gave them, and they wrap everything as presents.  Don't be surprised if you stop by and receive a wrapped green popsicle stick! 

Beau spent some time with his wooden train set while Lincoln was doing homework.  It was so nice to have a bit of quiet each day! 

We have had tons of these over the break . . . pj movie nights!!!!  They have been staying up late watching lots of Home Alone, Scooby Doo, and a few Disney movies.  They LOVE the idea of staying up late in their sleeping bags in the playroom together, and they sleep in a bit too!! 

We have had so much fun and are really taking advantage of our time together.  My Aunt Sarah came to visit on Saturday and Sunday, but I forgot to take any pictures.  The boys have played together so well, and then they have had their "brother" moments, but that's to be expected when they are spending so much one on one time together.  So ready to ring in the New Year!

Christmas Day

Christmas Day at last!!  After celebrating the birth of Jesus at church, the boys were completely happy that Jesus gave them permission to have presents!  Truth be told - Lincoln was up the earliest but played on his iPad quietly in his room until we came to get him.  Beau was still asleep at 10:00 and wasn't that happy when Daddy woke him . . . until he was reminded that Santa might have left presents!  He popped up as quickly as he could!  They checked out their stocking first, and they loved their goodies.  Pez, chalkboards, orange cuties, bananas, flashlights: so much fun! 

Santa was kind enough to fulfill Beau wish for a horn, Minion Kevin, drumsticks, and a drum.  He loved the drum the most right away!

Lincoln was super excited that Santa brought him a super big Lego set along with the Minion Kevin he asked for.  Santa also surprised him with an extra gift:  a giant Lego book. 

We moved to the big tree to open family gifts.  Beau had picked out a super special gift for Daddy: a toothbrush holder!  He was very specific that Daddy needed this random item!

Daddy and Lincoln were excited about Lincoln's two video games.  Lincoln was the most excited about The Lego Movie game, and Daddy was the most excited about the Madden football game.  Maybe they will get lots of practice with both!

After opening our gifts, we got cleaned up and finished preparing Christmas Dinner (served at 2:30).  Ham, dressing, mashed potato casserole, green bean casserole, and homemade yeast rolls.  (And string cheese and fruit for the kids!)  It was delicious!  Cousin Ryan joined us on Christmas Day, and he wasn't disappointed!

Everyone got busy with their gifts after we ate.  Pop Pop and Ryan played Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle Trouble with Lincoln, and they had some challenges getting him to play by the real rules.  Lincoln has his own Trouble rules!

Beau was still enthralled with his drum and drumsticks, and he decided to wear the drum with a belt.  It was loud!  And he had a super sweet smile!

It wasn't too cold on Christmas Day, so the boys went outside to play for a bit.  Beau just needed his Razorbacks sweatshirt and Spider man hat to keep warm!

We went to Nana and Pops house to open more presents, and it was super fun!

Lincoln wanted to show off his new light-up watch! 

Lincoln also received a science experiment kit, and he wanted to try it our right away!  We did one trick on Christmas Day (night).  We blew up a balloon, dipped a wooden skewer in vegetable oil, and slid the skewer through the balloon without making it pop!  Super fun science!  And he loves his safety goggles!!!

After so much fun and a busy day, the boys got cleaned up and ready to watch a movie before bed. Beau was loving his new pjs.  He is so proud that he gets "button pjs" like Lincoln!

What a great Christmas Day!  We will be playing with lots of new gifts and having so much fun for the rest of the break. 

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, the kids were so excited!  They couldn't wait to get to the evening when the festivities would begin.  With taco soup simmering on the stove, Lincoln and Beau made place mats for the dinner table: think lots of Christmas stickers and drawn on forks.

It was finally time to go to the Christmas Eve service at church at 6:00.  Why do they look so old in this picture?!?!  They posed for a quick picture before going in, and Nana and Pop Pop were waiting for us inside.

During the service, Beau was busy making a sticker picture for Jesus.  We have been talking about it being Jesus' birthday, and he was REALLY concerned about giving it to Jesus.  He decided that Jesus was probably up front and that we couldn't get to him.  Lincoln told him that Jesus must be on the roof because Jesus can always see everything.  After much discussion and lots of attempted explanations, Beau left his sticker picture for Jesus on one of the tables in the hallway.  He asked if we could take a picture of it on my phone so we could text Jesus so he know it was for him.  Text Jesus!!!  After carols, a Christmas message, and communion, it was time for their favorite part - the candles and Silent Night.  Daddy snapped a sweet picture of the boys so proud of their candles. 

Precious boys loving this precious moment!   

It really is a beautiful way to spend Christmas Eve, sharing in the celebration of the birth of our Savior.   

We had our 2nd annual taco soup Christmas Eve dinner with Nana and Pops, and it was delicious!  The boys got a grilled cheese and fruit but managed a little soup too!  They loved getting cozy in their cute Christmas pjs after a bath, and setting up Santa's cookies and milk was a highlight.   

The boys watched Home Alone while Mommy made a chocolate cake (from scratch!!!), and we finished the night in good spirits.  The only thing left is Christmas Day, and we are ready!!! 

Almost Christmas Fun

Our last Pre-Christmas days were full of fun!  We went to Daddy's work Christmas Party and had a great time.  It's actually fun to socialize with just grown ups for a few hours! 

The boys spent a bit of time one afternoon outside when the weather was nice.  A little basketball practice and some climbing and sliding was a great was to spend the afternoon. 

Mommy had wrapped all of the gifts without bows.  We got out our Christmas stickers and ribbons to decorate the packages.  Lincoln and Beau made some super cute decorations for the presents. 

It wasn't always sunny and nice, so one afternoon we reserved a court in the indoor tennis center at the club for a 90 minute burst of exercise.  Lincoln led us through each of his tennis lesson drills then we played some fun tennis!  The indoor tennis center will be a part of our daily routine this winter . . . any time it is too cold to burn some energy outside, we can just go there to run around and play.  Lincoln's tennis coach will be amazed when lessons start again because he is getting lots of practice!  

Two crafty boys had an afternoon of painting one day, and they made so many wonderful masterpieces.  Lincoln was really holiday-themed in his paintings, and Beau was a little more abstract.  He mixed several colors near each other and deemed it a "dark cloud."  Hmmm . . . he and a few others I know have a small personality trait of being a "dark cloud" on occasion.  Love their art work! 

Christmas Eve is next! 

Early Christmas with the Freeman's

The Freeman's came to celebrate Christmas a few days early, and we were all so excited!  We hugged outside when they got out of the car, the boys showed them the Christmas trees in their rooms, and everyone immediately sat down for games.  Seriously within 3 minutes of their arrival, Lincoln had them playing Headbanz!  Luckily, the Freeman's were happy to play! 

We met up with Nana and Pops for Friday Night Dinner, and then the boys wanted to watch Home Alone.  Minnie, Bubbles, and Ally were happy to watch a movie before bed.  It really is the funniest Christmas movie ever!   

We mostly just played on Saturday, and we all had tons of fun.  Games, crafts, and a little shopping break for Mommy, Ally, and Minnie.  Minnie brought them Bingo, and they made Bubbles be the "caller".  Technically, Beau won first at Bingo (two times), but he was being "Beau" and refused to shout out "Bingo"!   Also he refused to smile for the group pic . . . oh that Beau!

Lincoln wasn't shy about shouting "Bingo" when he got a row filled.  So cute! 

We did Christmas presents after dinner, and the boys wanted them by the fancy little tree.  They have been dying to open presents for so many days, and they were so happy.  (Beau has a new obsession with putting sticker eyes on his forehead lately . . . whatever!) 

Lincoln had Bubbles putting together his first gift within seconds!  The rest of us took turns opening gifts while they were busy. 

Beau was happy to open a Freeman gift, and it turned out to be the hardest one to put together.   

Bubbles worked for a while on this Ninja Turtle Race Track, and the boys love it!!!!  They weren't the best remote drivers at first, but after a bit of practice they were doing great.  

We had so much fun celebrating an early Christmas with Minnie, Bubbles, and Ally.  We purposely didn't have any "real" plans so we could just all be together, and it was a great weekend!  Thanks and come again soon!

Tuesday was "dress up like your favorite book character" at school.  After much thought, Lincoln decided to dress up like Shaggy from Scooby Doo.  The boys LOVE Scooby Doo books and movies, and the costume seemed easy enough . . . green V-neck shirt and brown pants.  The shirt was easy, but the pants turned out to be a bit of a challenge.  Each pair we looked at just wasn't right: no to corduroy, no to cotton with a drawstring, no to brown khaki, no to everything!  Nana found a pair of knit with cargo pockets and carefully removed the cargo pockets, and Lincoln was happy!  He took a book with Shaggy on the cover to show his friends!

After school and dinner, we made our annual Gingerbread House.  The boys were super sure with their decorating skills, and they covered as much as they could (before our icing bag burst a seem).  They also sampled a few of the decorative candies!   

Wednesday afternoon was rainy, and two cuties couldn't wait to wear their yellow raincoats and rain boots to swimming lessons.   

After swimming lessons and baths, Lincoln helped Mommy with his treats for his class Christmas Party for Thursday.  We gave everyone Snowman S'mores, which included graham crackers, Hershey bars, and snowman marshmallow Peeps.  Lincoln had to sign his name 21 times . . . hard work but super cute!!! 

Thankfully, all of his classmates loved his treat and were so excited to take them home to make s'mores.  They decorated Christmas cookies, had fun Christmas storytime, and played Winter BINGO.  Lincoln loved that he won at BINGO, and his prize was an ornament.  It immediately went on the tree in his room! 

Minnie, Bubbles, and Allyson are coming on Friday for some Christmas fun, and we can't wait!