The Christmas Recap

This one's for the grandparents -- so many pictures!

We had a great Christmas up in Edmonds with my family. Matthew worked Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year, so he drove home to go to work and then came back.

Here's what our Christmas holiday looked like:

One of Zak's favorite places in Grammie's kitchen --

it's called "Zak's cupboard".
It's the one he's allowed to take everything
out of and play with -- and he knows it!

Sam opened a few of his presents
early -- Poppy got him real tools!
They were out in the garage hammering nails,
screwing screws and cutting wire.
There were no injuries, but Sam did poke
himself in the eye when he put on his safety glasses!

Sam also received the game Trouble.
A lot of Trouble was played during the week we
were there -- and Sam was a winner many times!

He also learned how to play Old Maid --
he loved to "get stuck" with the Old Maid card.

One night we met all the cousins (minus the two youngest)
for dinner and a trip down Snowflake Lane. We saw
Frosty the Snowman, penguins and all the drummers who
played along with the music out on the street.
It even snowed at the end!

Since Matthew wouldn't be there for Christmas,
we opened our presents early.
Zak was ready to go!

Zak received his very own potty -- we're
hoping he's a quick learner.
He seems pretty comfortable on there!

The number one thing on Sam's Christmas List was
the Lego crane -- he was very excited to
get this from Poppy and Grammie.

Since Matthew was out of town, it was up to the rest
of us to help with Legos. Between Poppy, me and Sam --
the road grader was built! I just had to keep reminding
myself it was for ages 5-12 -- so I should be able to do it!

All the cousins on Christmas Eve -- imagine
that Zak isn't in his pj's and matches Sam!

Sam left some cookies for Santa and wrote him a note.

In an attempt to capture the joy of Christmas
morning -- this is what I got. What I wanted
was a cute picture of the boys in their pj's with
their stockings -- but it just wasn't going to happen.

We arrived home after a fun week at Poppy and Grammie's house -- and Grandpa and Nana came for a visit.

Sam read them one of his favorite books -- Just A Mess.

Grandpa and Nana gave Sam and Zak a cool
Fire Station/Police Station for Christmas.
It's like a boy's dollhouse! It has provided
hours of entertainment for them.

We all had a great Christmas with our families!

Silent Night

The nights are not so silent anymore -- and neither are the days! That's because Poppy and Grammie gave Sam his very own harmonica!

Sam is showing a real aptitude for the harmonica -- playing Silent Night, Away In the Manager and his favorite, Jingle Bells, with gusto.

He'll be happy to play for you anytime!

Emphasis On The Sugar

Before heading out of town for Christmas, we had some friends over for dinner -- and when we were finished with dinner, it was time for Ben, Andrew and Sam to start decorating sugar cookies.

There was probably enough frosting used to frost about 10 dozen cookies -- yet they only had about 3 dozen to work with! Sprinkles and sanding sugar were everywhere and the boys had a great time.

The boys won't have to worry about sharing their cookies with anyone -- they didn't look very appetizing to anyone but them!

Ben, Sam and Andrew getting started.

Andrew with his own creation.

Sam's teeth match his shirt!

Father Doesn't Always Know Best

Sam loves to read and has been sounding out words for a while now. He is especially good at three-letter words.

Here's a little conversation Sam had with his Dad tonight while building with Tinker Toys.




Sam: Dad, I want to build this. What is it called?
Dad: That's an airplane.
Sam: (Sounding it out) J...ET. Dad, that not an airplane, it's a jet!

Dad stands corrected!

The Perfect Christmas Card Photo....Not

Trying to get a picture of the boys for our annual Christmas card is proving to be quite a challenge. Nobody wants to sit still!

When the camera comes out -- they get crazy. We have dozens and dozens of shots that won't be making the cut.

Just so you have a little perspective when you receive our Christmas card -- this is what we have to work with:

And this...


And this...

So when you receive our Christmas card and wonder -- is that the best picture they have of their children?

Yes. Yes it is.

O Christmas Tree!

It was time for our annual trek to Thornton's Treeland to pick out our Christmas tree! Sam has so much fun there -- feeding the animals, playing hide and seek in the trees. I'm sure Zak will feel the same way when he's a little older.

The tree farm is right across the street from our church, so every week Sam makes a comment about going to pick out our Christmas tree. He says, "Our tree is in there somewhere. Let's not get the same one we did last year!"

Sam is excited about decorating the tree this year. Matthew will work on getting the lights on it this afternoon and then we'll start decorating when Sam get's home from preschool tomorrow.

It was a fun day!

Sam and Zak were ready to hunt for the perfect tree.

Sam thought this would be a great tree for us.
Unfortunately we do not have 20 foot ceilings.

Is he not the cutest thing you've ever seen?

The boys with our tree!

The goats were very greedy eaters!

The donkey was so sweet.

A new tradition was born today -- a stop at Krispy Kreme for doughnuts and hot chocolate!

Zak ate his first doughnut. he liked to eat it,
but he didn't want to touch it.

Sam just loves sprinkles!

Our Little Climber

I wish I had a picture of him from the day I found him standing on the table. But being a responsible parent, I grabbed Zak instead of my camera!

I'm already having nightmares about Zak and the Christmas tree!