Wow!

This week, Kevin & I went to see the Trans-Siberian Orchestra live. It was incredible. They play Christmas songs to lights and lazers. The music style is really unusual; they call it rock opera, and it's just amazing. They include a wide assortment of instruments, but Kevin & I were most impressed by the electric guitarists and pianists. They moved their hands so quickly that it was hard to follow, and they played for 3 hours! If you ever have a chance to see this group, do it! We've already decided we're definitely going back next year. As Kevin said at least a dozen times after the show, "That was nuts!"

Build-A-Bear

Today I took the boys to the mall to redeem the Build-A-Bear gift cards Santa put in their stockings. Carter was excited to find a penguin, but he selected its clothing very slowly & carefully. Bryson chose a turtle, and very quickly and excitedly decided on its police uniform. My favorite part was watching the boys get their animals' hearts ready. Miss Tiffany from Build-A-Bear helped them to: rub the hearts in their hands to make them warm, on their knees so their animals would need them, on their noses so they would know them, on their sides so they'd always be side by side, and on their tummies so they'd like the same foods. What fun!

After-Christmas Party

Last night our small group from church had an after-Christmas party. We each brought a re-gift and played Dirty Santa (a.k.a. White Elephant). These great mustaches were my prize! We shared some yummy dinner and played Catch Phrase while the kids played and watched a movie. It was a fun night!

Christmas

This Christmas season has been wonderful. The boys are at such a fun age and have made this year the best one yet. On Christmas Eve, my parents drove up to spend the holiday with us. That evening, we told the boys the story of Jesus's birth and also shared one of our favorite books, "Twas the Night Before Christmas". It was "giving night" for the boys, so they gave each of us a special gift that they had picked out or made for us. (My gifts were super cute nutcrackers made from toilet paper rolls! Love 'em!) Since they had also chosen a gift for each other, they each had one to open. Carter had picked a piano for Bryson, and Bryson had chosen a crane to give to Carter.

On Christmas morning, they had a blast opening the rest of their gifts. Bryson opened his new army costume first and insisted on wearing it while he opened his other gifts. After unwrapping a couple of presents, Bryson wanted to play, so Carter "helped" him open the rest. The boys were given so many great toys, including a riding tractor, a loader, and a new bike! Afterward Carter told me, "Mommy, did you know I got everything I ever wanted for Christmas?!" We all had such a wonderful time, and it was fun to spoil the boys on this special day!

Jingle Bells

Specially requested by Nana, here's "Jingle Bells" from the church Christmas Program. Carter sings, "Jingle Bells! Jingle Bells! Jingle, all the Way! Oh, what fun was yesterday - Jingle all the Way!"

Christmas Program

Last week at church, the boys' preschool class sang Christmas songs for us. It was so incredibly sweet, and I was so proud of both Bryson and Carter. The songs were "Joy to the World!", "Away in a Manger", and "Jingle Bells". I'm so glad to be part of a church that really cherishes our children. What a special memory for this Christmas!

New Kid in Town

Now that Smokey has officially taken up residence inside, a new kid has taken over possession of his cat house in the garage. Welcome to country life!!! (In case you can't tell from the photo, this is a opposum!)

Great Date

Kevin & I have been making more time to go on "dates" lately. It's always so nice to spend quiet time alone together and remember all the reasons we fell in love. Last night, we went on an especially fun date! It wasn't looking so good early on when our babysitter arrived at our house before Kevin. We decided to meet at the restaurant since he had to work later than anticipated. Almost an hour later, I was still just dating myself. Finally he made his way through traffic, and we enjoyed a yummy dinner at a great new Asian restaurant. After dinner, we went to a comedy club - we have always wanted to see a live comedy show, but neither of us had ever gone. It was so much fun! We just laughed the whole time. We sat in the very front, so the comic bantered with us a little bit. Kevin enjoyed that; me not so much - I want to sit in the back next time! It was a super fun night, and we're looking forward to the next time!

Christmas Train

On Sunday night, we went with our church group to ride a Christmas train about an hour away. The weather was nice when we left, but we had all heard the reports that the cold front was on its way. Luckily, we all dressed in bundles and layers because it had dropped 30 degrees by the time we arrived. It was 25 degreees, with a wind chill of -2!!! Still, the Christmas train was wonderful. Despite waiting outside in the freezing weather to ride the train, our big group of 18 had lots of fun. On the train, we heard the Christmas story of Jesus's birth, life, death, and resurrection. After our train ride, we all enjoyed a steamy cup of hot chocolate and headed home. There was more to see and do, but it was just too cold. On our trip home, it began to sleet and what was an hour's drive became 2. I definitely want to go again next year (on a warmer day!) and experience it all!

Is There a Doctor in the House?

Kevin, brilliant as he is, doesn't always have the best ideas...

Bad Cat

Smokey, our "outside cat", was inside again today for the billionth time this week. He's in as often as he's out these days. When it was time for Bryson's nap, we found Smokey sleeping in his bed. Bryson sat down next to him and said, "This is my bed. Get down, bad cat." Then he let out a big belly laugh. :-)

Breakfast at "Sonic"

Carter ate his pancake breakfast in his Little Tikes car this morning. Kevin asked him if he was at Sonic, eating in the car. Carter loved the idea and pretended he was doing just that!

Christmas Treat

We had a party tonight for Kevin's office staff. It was fun getting to know the ladies better and meeting their families. Carter & I decided to make a gingerbread house for the occasion! He was so proud, and he could hardly wait to eat it. He had a hard time choosing which piece he wanted, but he finally decided on the roof because it had 2 different kinds of candy. :-)

On My Mind

Some random thoughts...

Last night Kevin & I got a sitter and went out with our friends, Justin & Casey. We had dinner and went to see 4 Christmases. It was great to have a night out, and we always enjoy Justin & Casey.

I've been thinking a lot lately about Carter growing up. Now that he's four, he's just such a little man. But he's not! He's still my baby. At least I want him to be... I'm so torn because I want him to stay little (and he really LIKES being little), but I know it's time for him to become more independent. I need to make him do more for himself (little things, like dressing himself), but neither of us really wants to.

Bryson has another ear infection. I'm really hoping and praying that he won't need another set of tubes when this one falls out. He's not a happy camper when he has an ear infection either. He threw the BIGGEST fit at the mall today. Definitely not his first, but his first one in a while. I was hoping we were past that stage.

My heart is hurting for needy and sick children this Christmas. I'm so grateful to God for providing for our family and for giving us healthy babies.

I love Christmas movies. I just can't get my fill! My favorites are Elf & The Santa Clause. :-) I'll watch any sappy Christmas movie in December.

Tomorrow night we're having a party for Kevin's office staff here at the house. I'm looking forward to it!

A Visit With Santa

Today the boys & I went to the mall to hang out with our friends for Mommy & Me group. While we were there, we stopped to visit Santa Claus. This is our 4th annual Santa picture!

Holiday Rush

These past 2 weeks have flown by in a rush for me; I can't believe how long it's been since my last post! My parents flew up for Thanksgiving last week. We had a wonderful time visiting and eating, eating, and eating! At the table, we each told some things we were thankful for. It was really sweet to hear the kids tell us what they're thankful for (mommy & daddy, Jesus, kitty cats, & toys). We all have so much to be thankful for. Thanksgiving is a good reminder for us all to take time out and thank God for being so good.

While my parents were here, we also re-celebrated Carter's birthday. We had a special dinner and a really yummy red velvet cake. Mimi & Pop-Pop even took Carter to Toys R Us to pick out a birthday present. They had planned to buy him a bike, but he had his heart set on a giant garbage truck. He loves his new garbage truck and plays with it constantly (unfortunately, they had already bought him the same truck for Christmas and now they will have to return it!). They also gave him a new game & a new movie that he adores. They even got Bryson a new toy! Bryson was so excited when they gave him a toy to unwrap; his voice raised an octave as he flapped his arms about. Thanks, Mimi & Pop-Pop, for a very special day!

After Thanksgiving, I spent my usual "blogging time" transferring my blog to a scrapbook on shutterfly. I was in a hurry to get it finished by Tuesday because they were having a great sale that I wanted to take advantage of. I'm looking forward to a hard copy of my blog and skipping a year of scrapbooking (I'm so far behind!!!).

I also finished my Christmas shopping this week. I enjoy Christmas shopping (really any shopping!); I love to browse through the possibilities thinking of the people I'm buying them for and what they would want most. That being said, I don't like shopping the week before Christmas. It stresses me out to feel like I'm in a hurry and have to just get something. Now, if I can just get all those presents wrapped!!!

Blast from the Past

Yesterday we bought a brand new hinged prelit Christmas tree! It's wonderful; we just attached 3 sections, unfolded the branches, and plugged it in! Voila! Carter was so excited to help me decorate this year - he didn't remember from last year what our ornaments looked like. He opened up the box and inspected each one. Every few seconds he would let out a gasp and shout, "Look! Look!", holding up another ornament for me to see. Of course, we've had the same ornaments since Kevin & I were married 10 years ago, so it wasn't quite as exciting for me. ;-) Almost all of our ornaments are homemade, and one of them is a picture of Kevin at 4 years old. When we pulled it out, Kevin & I were both taken back at how much the picture looks like Bryson. People are always telling us that one boy or another looks like one of us or the other, but we had never seen the resemblance this strong! (P.S. Please excuse Bryson's very messy hair! We made our discovery during naptime and took the picture as soon as he woke up!)

Growing Up

My baby Carter is growing up! I'm looking forward to all the fun times we'll have at age 4. I know it's going to be a great age.

But first, here's a look back at age 3...
I love you, Carty!!!

Ice Cream Factory

Today our Mommy & Me group went to the ice cream factory! We had a tour to learn and watch how the ice cream is made, then we all got delicious free samples. The ice cream was so fresh and creamy, lots better than the stuff you buy in the store! Bryson took the tiniest little bites of his ice cream and sat at the table long after all the other kids were done. I finally had to pack him up and let him eat it in the car. It was a really fun trip - I'd be ready to do it again tomorrow!

Birthday Party

This is a hard post for me to write because it means my baby's not three anymore. Somehow four years old seems so big. It's so much fun to watch Carter grow up, but it hurts my heart, too because it's happening so fast. One day, he'll stop sitting in my lap and wrapping his tiny little arms around my neck. One day, he won't tell me 20 times in a single hour that he loves me. One day, he won't beg me to play arts & crafts and garbage trucks and watch Curious George with him. But for now, he's still my baby. Just one year older.

Yesterday, we had his birthday party at a great jump place. He had so much fun, and he grinned from ear to ear the entire time. All of our great new friends came to celebrate with us, and I felt so blessed to see how many people have already come to care about my sweet boy in the short time we've lived here. The party was fantastic from my standpoint; I didn't have to lift a finger. The party place took care of everything, down to the tiniest details. I loved just taking pictures, jumping with the boys, and watching Carter enjoy his birthday. He had a really great time, which meant I did, too.

P.S. Check out this picture of Nana sliding head first down the giant inflatable slide. She cracks me up!!!

Presents!

Carter has been looking forward to opening his birthday presents for months. Before his birthday party, he opened presents from Nana & PawPaw and from us. He got so excited and said of each one, "Oh! It's just what I always wanted!!!" We gave him a helicopter & Bryson picked out an army tank to give him. Nana & PawPaw brought him a tractor; they were even sweet enough to bring Bryson a new toy firetruck. Nana is always so good about making both boys feel special on one boy's special day. I remember I was so touched when she brought Carter a "big brother gift" when Bryson was born. Check out how excited Carter is in these pictures! He's so much fun!