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Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve at our house was pretty low key.

Here is Hunter fresh up from a nap to help me make cookies for Santa. We were lazy and baked these pre-made cookies with Mikey as Santa on them.

As you can tell he wasn't quite awake enough to get into the spirit.

That is a weak "cheese" face. 

That evening we attended Christmas Eve mass in Argyle. Both the boys did fantastic. Of course, Weston was happy as long as we kept letting him have his snack puffs. He would probably eat a whole can at once if we let him. But if you have read the nutritional facts, there is only 25 calories for 78 snacks. I need to start taking them to work to nibble on :)

When we returned from church, each of the boys had a gift under the tree.

 

How handsome are they?

Christmas PJ's. Family tradition on Christmas Eve. 

Can't you just sense Hunter's excitement?!?

Yay, for PJ's!

Here are a couple shots with their new PJ's on getting ready for bed.

Once the boys went to bed, Santa went to town on wrapping presents. Felt like it took forever. Totally worth it once it was all complete and the presents were all gathered under the tree.

This is my lovely new 12 foot Christmas tree. I LOVE IT!!! So much, that I don't want to take it down.

There are a couple lucky boys in our house this Christmas.

It was midnight before we made it to bed. Next year Santa needs to wrap the presents before Christmas eve. It may have helped if Andy, Santa's Elf would have helped instead of sitting on the couch watching movies :)

Christmas #1: Saturday, Dec 22nd

We had our first official Christmas get together at my in-law's house on Saturday.

Here are all the grandchildren! This picture is already outdated, because Kevin and Kelly announced they are expecting in July!!!

Presents galore! Liberty was very anxious to get started!

Hunter received his guitar. It is really neat because it actually plays well known country songs.

Lots and Lots of Books!!!

Like Father...Like Son :)

Weston enjoyed watching all the action while in his walker.

Weston received this cool Batman riding toy.

Hunter also received a Nerf-Like Gun. I think Andy was just as excited.

Choo-Choo train for Weston

This is Liberty's toy puppy that she received, but Weston LOVED it! It barks and walks around.

These are just a few pictures of what all was really taken home that night. The boys loaded up on gifts, as well did Andy and I. We are all totally and completely spoiled :)



Let the Christmas Festivities Begin!

Last week we received a special box in the mail from my Dad and Step-Mom in Nebraska. In years past (since Hunter was born) we would go up there around the beginning of December to visit my family. This year we weren't able to make the trip because I had already cashed in my one Monday or Friday I am able to take off at work when I took the boys to the Omaha to the zoo. I hate that we didn't get to see the whole family this year, plus we always go to this John Deere dealership to see Santa and their amazing gift shop!

But have no fear, Denise (my step-mom) loaded the boys up lots of John Deere stuff and more!

Here the boys are before they opened  the box!

Enclosed were a bunch of individually packed presents.

John Deere Dominoes

What boy (or man) doesn't love flash lights?

This John Deere flashlight was cool. It has different ends that shines different shapes.

Weston trying to pry his gift open.

Puzzles.

A HUGE Puzzle!

Hoodie

Yummy, socks!

Who needs toys, when you have paper to play with?

Bath toys!

Cute Jeans, Shirt and Vest! Love it!

Tractor Pillow

Hunter trying out the new flash light.

I didn't get a picture, but Hunter also received 2 binoculars in the mail from my grandparents in Iowa. He thinks he is big stuff now, since he has binoculars like daddy!

We are all so blessed to have such an amazing family. I wish so badly that we could see and visit them more. I guess I am going to have to teach them how to use Skype.

Christmas Around the Square

Last Friday night we took the boys to the Christmas Around the Square in town. It is an evening parade that is really neat because the floats trucks/trailers are all lit up, plus Santa is at the end rounding up the parade. Santa then goes into the courthouse where the kids get in line to tell them what they want for Christmas.

This year ended up being more eventful then I could imagine. While waiting for the parade I was standing next to our banks booth who was handing out hot chocolate. As I was talking to people, I could see Hunter dancing in the lights over at the DJ stand. I heard someone say, "here they come." I turned around to see the parade was starting. I turned back around to go get Hunter so we could find a place to watch...and he was gone!

I didn't initially panic because I figured he just got in line with the rest of the kids to watch the parade. But I didn't see him. I walked along the group of people on our side of the road, and still no Hunter. Andy then went to the other side of the road and walked. I began to get more and more anxious. It was becoming clear he wasn't there...but where could he have gone. Before I knew it the parade was over and Hunter was still gone. I went into the courthouse and made my way through the line of people waiting for Santa. But he wasn't there. At that point there was a lot of people looking for him. As I was rushing around searching for him, people kept asking if I had found him, I would just shake my head "no" and not make eye contact because I was on the edge of losing it and was trying to suppress the tears welling up in my eyes.

After what seamed like forever, my sister-in-law found him. He ended up being around on the other side of the courthouse. At that point I didn't know whether to hug him or spank him. But it was clear, he didn't know he had done anything wrong. He knew where he was the whole time! This kid will be the death of me!

Here is Andy and Weston before frantic search for Hunter parade.

We ended up missing the whole parade. Amongst searching for Hunter I remembered that Tina had asked me to take pictures of G&W's float. So at one point I just happened to look up and see their float and quickly grabbed my camera and snapped a shot. But that is all I got of that parade.

We waiting in line for Santa for quite a while in a narrow hallway packed with tons of people resulting in it being incredibly hot!

Here is Hunter peaking in just before his turn.

Hunter explaining to Santa that up until an hour before, he had been a good boy this year :)

Ok, maybe that still wasn't completely true! 

Merry Christmas!!

First Bus Ride

The sucky part of working out of town means I am not closely and/or easily available to my kids. With Hunter's speech therapy, it has required me to rely on other people to get him to and from speech. My mother-in-law (who works at the school) has graciously volunteered to go pick Hunter up at daycare and bring him to the school for his therapy. We've timed it right that shortly after his therapy the preschool bus arrives to take home the morning students, thus taking Hunter back to daycare. It works great!

But, I HATE it! I want to be there for my son. I want to take him to and from therapy. I wanted to see him get on the school bus for the first time. (He has been excited for this moment...forever).

Corney as it is, I was able to get my brother-in-law (who also works at the school) to take pictures of Hunter's first time getting on the bus.

Here he is coming out of the preschool building

First Time Getting on the bus :) From what I hear...he LOVED it!

Putting on his seat belt.

UGH....I wanted to be there so bad!!!