Christmas Day

We had to be at my parent's house at 9:30 am Christmas morning for Christmas with my Grandmother and family.  We rolled in a little later than that. It takes us a little longer to get out the door with two kiddos and we were running a little behind after our Christmas morning.

We started eating as soon as we got there. We had a yummy breakfast and quickly opened gifts.

Brady got a Leap Pad 2 and case and remote control car. Presley got a couple sweet outfits. I didn't take a single picture. We were only there for about an hour, so there just wasn't much time. Bryan snapped this picture of us as we were leaving.

Obviously I didn't have much time for hair fixin'. My hair pulled back is usually a dead giveaway.

We had to wrap it up pretty quick, because we were supposed to be at Caleb's parents at 10:30 am. We had Caleb's brother text us when they left their home about and hour away. They text us around 10:15, so we knew we had a little more time. We made it to his parents house about 11 am.

 Presley was good through the most of present time, but she was so sleepy. Caleb took her and got her to sleep and she slept for about 2 1/2 hours. We were so happy, but other family members were a little disappointed they didn't get to see her awake much. Oh well... She wouldn't have been much fun awake anyway. Girl was worn out from all the festivities.

We opened gifts. We all got so much here! Everyone just rips open their gifts, so I have no idea what anyone got. It is crazy with paper flying everywhere. Carleigh is two  and is super sweet, but she was over it. She absolutely refused to say thank you. She finally gave in. It brought back memories of Brady doing similar episodes of unwillingness to say thank you  in  years past. Fortunately, he did well with that this year, but we had new challenges to overcome.

Caleb's parents came across this four wheeler and princess car over the past year for no cost to them. They were both in good condition, but needed new batteries. Caleb's dad spent some time and money getting them cleaned up and running for each of them for Christmas. They waited until after we ate to pull them out. They were both so excited. We had to bundle up and ride them outside a little.

 

Brady one the way home. He was exhausted! Sorry it is blurry, I was trying to snap the picture without waking anyone.

We had a second breakfast here. It was good, but I couldn't eat much. We didn't have anywhere else to be, so we stayed for a while. We headed home late afternoon. Brady and Presley played with all their new things and had an early bedtime. I found homes for the new stuff and Caleb and I watched The Family Man, before heading to bed.

We had a wonderful Christmas! It seemed a little crazier than normal and went by very quickly! Our life in general is a little crazier, I am sure it has to do with an entire extra person joining our family.

Santa and Christmas Morning.

We came home from my parents and quickly got ready for Santa and bed.

Brady picked a cookie my sister had made and we poured a little milk. Brady was very concerned about Mrs. Claus and what she was going to eat. We eventually came to the conclusion she stayed at the North Pole and didn't need anything.

Caleb read them the story of baby Jesus and we tucked them into their beds. It took them about 1 second to fall asleep. They were worn out!  I didn't hear a peep out of either one until morning.

Caleb and I quickly got to work on putting the gifts together. It was a super easy year, so we were done pretty fast. We ended up watching Christmas with the Kranks until we went to bed. It made for a nice Christmas eve.

Brady woke up around 7 am. He walked into our room and said, "Mommy, Daddy get up and come here, come here". We walked into the living room to see what Santa left.

Brady was pretty excited! He pulled each item out of his stocking.

Brady looks huge!!!! When did this happen???

Presley was still sleeping, but was heard us and woke soon after. We opened all our gifts from each other!

Funny story: I stuck a few things in Caleb's stocking, but he didn't do a stocking for me this year. It was not a big deal, but Brady could not get over why Santa wouldn't leave anything in my stocking. He said, "Me and Daddy must have REALLY good this year." We asked if he thought I had been bad and he replied, "No, I think me and daddy just bought your gifts this year." I am not sure he is totally sold on the whole Santa idea.


We picked up a little and let Brady play, but it was time to get ready for our next stop. Brady was not too thrilled to leave his new stuff, but quickly recovered when he found out there would be more gifts and playtime.

Christmas Eve.

Presley cracks me up! We had some time to kill.

We were all excited!

Caleb had to work Christmas Eve morning. Brady, Presley, and I had a very low key morning at home. It included playing with new toys, TV watching, napping, and a little cooking and cleaning for me. By the time Caleb was home about 2:30, I had the car loaded up, the house clean, kids dressed, and cooking done. He quickly changed and we headed to my parents for Christmas with them.

She is always looking at or for him!!!!

Excited kiddos!

We had a yummy meal.

 

I wanted a picture of me and Caleb, but Brady insisted on being in it! I love how comfortable Caleb is with my family. No reason to feel the need to dress up here!

Brady and Noah were so ready to open their gifts, so we all gathered around to open gifts.

Presley was out, which was much needed and pretty funny! She looked so funny asleep with all her presents piled up beside her.

We started our rotation of opening gifts. It was a little crazy this year. Presley woke up about half way through and was ready to eat. I tried to distract her until the last gift was open. By the end, I was not in the best mood, but I got over it quickly. Life is way different with two little ones to take care of!!! Twice the crazy, but twice the sweet.

 

I don't have any pictures but we facetimed and skyped with my brother Cam and SIL Lauren for a while during gifts. We missed them this year!

 

 

My parents got Caleb a new really nice hedge trimmer. However, they didn't get it out until after everyone had opened all their gifts. So the entire time he only had this one teeny tiny gift(a Keurig make your own filter). So funny!

He was really excited!!

She loves her daddy!

Presley got a lot of clothes and some new toys. She was excited about them and has enjoyed having new toys to play with. Brady got a guitar, suitcase, drawing set, hat, Nerf gun, Connect 4, 2 spiderman books, a spider thingy, and a coloring book and underwear. I think that is about all. He was so excited!

We let them play with their new stuff for a while. Presley got a bath. We put all the kids in their pj's and got a few sweet cousin pictures before heading home to get ready for Santa.

These are the pictures I had on my camera. The third one of Presley is so funny!!!

Fortunately Bryan grabbed their good camera and was able to capture this sweet picture! They sure do love each other!

More Christmas to come...

Merry Christmas!!!

 

 

 

 

Wishing you a Merry Christmas from our house to yours!!!

4 years!!!

Brady turned 4 years old today!!!!

On one hand I can't believe I have a 4 year old and on the other it feels like he has been around for much longer than 4 years. I have a hard time remembering life with out him!

We celebrated with family last night. Brady choose a hibachi restaurant.

 

 

We came back to the house for Spidey cupcakes and presents.

Brady and Noah were so cute and excited at dinner. Brady looked at Caleb and gave him a huge hug right in the middle of it.

It is so hard to imagine my little Christmas baby is not a big, talking, funny, sweet boy.

We love him more than we could have ever imagined and can't wait to see what joys the next year holds!!!!

Happy Birthday sweet boy!!!!

2008

Quick Weekend Recap

Friday night we made a visit to Opryland to see the lights. Caleb and I used to do this before we had kids. My parents also took us when we were small. It is an inexpensive and fun Holiday outing.

They had this little area sat up for kids. Most everything was free or just a few dollars. These cars were free and it wasn't crowded!

 

The train was $3. Brady was the conductor. He loved this!!! I have a better picture on my camera, but I haven't loaded it to my computer yet.

The rest of the place was SUPER crowded. Brady got in trouble a few times for drifting off. He didn't wander far, but it was so crowded he had to literally stay right next to us.

This picture is right after he got in trouble for pulling off a 2nd poinsettia pedal after being scolded for pulling off the first one. Grrr! 

Excuse Brady's eyes in the picture below. The lighting had a strange effect on them. As soon as we walked in, Shrek was standing there. Brady was TERRIFIED. He loves Shrek and all characters on tv and toys, but the "real" ones scare him to death. He kept saying, "uhm this is close enough. I don't want to get any closer."

We got coffee and dessert before heading home.

The kiddos were worn out and it was a little crazy at times, but we still had a great time.

Saturday morning Noah came over to stay with us while his parents went shopping. Brady was so excited!!!

They spent the morning playing before nap time.

After naps, we loaded up and headed to a birthday party.

Presley enjoyed taking it all in. Girl was tired. I leaned her back in my arms and she went right to sleep. She never does that.

Brady and Noah stayed big buds at the party.

I was so proud of Brady's behavior at the party. He listen and obey so well. That was not the case the night before, so I had threatened to not let him attend the party. However, he was so good. He sat and watched Gavin open the gifts, he didn't whine, he didn't snatch gifts, he just sat and watched. He was so excited for Gavin. It was so sweet. He even sat there until the very last gift was opened, which happened to be from us, because he wanted to see him open it. Sometimes he drives me up the wall and sometimes he is so sweet I think my heart might explode. That is parenthood, I guess.

Caleb and the kids spent Saturday night in, while I took an alone trip to Wal-mart. Sunday we had a  retirement party for the minister there. He has been the minister there my entire life, so it was pretty special. However, I spent most of the time feeding a baby, cleaning up spit up, and trying to keep the baby from crying, because she was missing nap. Oh well, such is life.
We spent Monday cuddled up and resting for the busy weekend. So thankful for Mondays at home...