Christmas Morning

We arrived home on Christmas Eve just in time to have a quick dinner, change into jammies and put out some cookies for Santa.

When we first hung the boys' stockings, Sam was very concerned that we didn't have a chimney -- how would Santa get in our house? Google to the rescue! We found a little poem about people who don't have a chimney and how Santa can still get in their house. Just leave any key on your porch for Santa and he will magically be able to use it! Perfect!

Of course, I thought we should have a special key for the occasion, so I asked Matthew to pick up a blank key while he was at work. Before he would hand over the key, he let me know that the choices were rather slim -- Disney princess, skull and cross bones and the one he chose. It had Christmas colors. Nothing says "Merry Christmas" like a green key with ladybugs! We're going to use it again next year. :)

We saved a few present for Sam and Zak to open at home in addition to their stockings. At our house, Santa only brings presents that will fit in your Christmas stocking -- and he did a great job! The boys loved their books and toothbrushes and Hot Wheels. Santa even managed to find the same dart guns the boys had so much fun playing with this summer at our rental house in Jacksonville!

Sam signed the poem for Santa.

Excited about the mystery Hot Wheels car!

Zak and his gun that shoots spinning darts.

Zak opening his new Lego Barn!

Sam helped him put it all together.

It was nice to sleep in our own beds and have a quiet Christmas morning at home before we headed off to the Jensens for our next round of Christmas!

Christmas - Part I

We had an early Christmas with Poppy, Grammie and Uncle Barry. Lots of good food, relaxing and family time!

Sam giving Zak a hand with one of his gifts.

Trying out the new Lego headlamp from Uncle Barry!

Uncle Barry made the boys the
nicest banks -- they love them!

Sam put together one of his new Lego sets!

Kerplunk was a favorite new game!

Zak loves his new train set!

We got together with all the cousins for Christmas!

Ava, Sydney and Sam were ready to open presents!

We had such a fun time at Poppy and Grammie's house!

Snowflake Lane

It was our 2nd annual trip to Snowflake lane with the cousins -- although we were missing three of them due to the flu. We can't wait until next year when we can all go together!

We had great plans -- to do it just like last year. Play on the toys at Bellevue Square, head down to Red Robin for dinner and then grab a great spot on the sidewalk to watch the drummers.

It did not go as planned. After waiting for over an hour and a half at Red Robin (original estimate was 45 minutes to an hour), we finally bailed and went and stood in line at McDonald's so the starving children could eat. They were pretty patient during all that waiting!

Hungry kids waiting to be fed!

We didn't have time to eat
inside -- so we had a picnic on the street.
And then it started to sprinkle!

Taking it all in!

We have a new plan for next year. Dinner first -- and early! We were glad it didn't work out the way we planned -- we were able to tell the cousins who were sick that they didn't miss much!

Although, it is a fun memory.

Watch Out Hallmark!

Sam made a special gift for his Kindergarten teacher (which we can't show you because he made the same thing for his grandparents!), and along with it he made a Christmas card. He decided what he wanted to draw and what he wanted to say -- and he did such a great job!

We should have him do our family Christmas cards!

Jumping for Joy!

Our local mall has a new attraction -- and it caught Sam's eye the last time we were there. I offered him the chance to give it a try, but he chose to do something else -- and then regretted his decision. I really wanted him to have another chance , so we found another reason to head to the mall and this time he did not pass up the chance!

Getting all hooked up and ready to jump!

He loved it!

He went so high that he reached
the second floor of the mall!

Well, you know who wasn't about to be left behind!

Little jumps at first.

It didn't take long before he was flying high!

The boys loved it and were ready to go back for more!

Night Lights

After dinner we told the boys to get their pajamas on -- we were going to drive around to look at Christmas lights!

We brought along some popcorn and hot chocolate, turned on some Christmas music and started driving. The boys loved it! Zak kept saying, "Lights! Lights! Plug in! Plug in!".

Heading out!

Munching on some popcorn.

Zak was ready for an adventure!

Taking it all in.

Crazy boys in the back seat!

We'll probably do this one more time -- I just found another area that has a ton of Christmas Lights!

Gingerbread Houses

You see gingerbread houses everywhere -- and they look so festive -- it seemed like it might be a fun activity to try with the boys.

I now know that buying a pre-made house is the way to go! I didn't quite have enough hands to get the pieces "glued" together. Sam ended up with a flat-roofed house and Zak got a tent. They didn't seem to mind!

Zak just wanted to eat the candy.
He did add the "roof" all by himself.

Sam had a hard time figuring out what he should put on his house. He was against just loading it up with candy -- every piece had to have a function!

This house has a chimney, a doorbell and roof vents.
He is definitely focused on function!

They came out pretty cute!

I'm not sure if the boys had more fun decorating their houses or eating the candy...well, they probably had more fun eating the candy!