Christmas Day

Maybe, just maybe I'll have these Christmas posts done before Valentine's Day! 

After eating breakfast and having some time to play with their toys, we all headed over to BeBe and D-daddy's house to celebrate with them and Matt's siblings. 

I have tried almost every single time we are all together to get a picture of these three and this is the best by a long shot. I might be biased..ok, extremely biased... but I think those are 3 adorable boys right there!!!

Glad I shot that picture, because it always, ALWAYS, turns into this. Usually Cade is right in there with them or somewhere else rolling around making the same wrestling noises they are. 

After a wonderful meal, the adults opened presents while the big kids napped. I was quick to grab Isla while BeBe was opening presents. I mean, she needed two arms to do it... I was just being helpful ;). And I was hoping Isla would give Matt some of the baby fever! While he did enjoy the new smell she was still sporting, I'm not sure it took the full effect. I say it's because he didn't lay her on his chest. That would have gotten him, for sure! 

Row is at a great age to open presents. Everything is so exciting and gets the best response, hence this "OOOOH" face he has. 

The boys had to make sure they had a front row seat to see what all he got.  This picture makes me laugh because I get asked all the time if they are twins and it for sure looks like it in this picture! 

Our crew, along with April and Josh, decided to spend the night. We stayed up late playing games in front of the fire, which was a perfect ending to Christmas day!! 

Christmas morning

I slept horribly on Christmas Eve. I kept dreaming that Connor woke up before we did and saw all of his presents...and opened the superhero capes I made him. It was awful! And even more awful because I was the world's worst as a child about peeking at my presents. One year I unwrapped some and wrapped them back off. Which tells you that I was old enough to stay at home by myself and know how to wrap! My poor parents!!!

When I finally heard Connor open his door I jumped out of bed faster than I think I ever have before! We brought him into our room so we could wake up little brother :)

They were so excited about their shopping cart, but I think Sulley being in it was the biggest surprise. Santa told me he was a last minute decision... good thinking Santa ;)

If you look closely, you will see Cade trying to get in. Poor little guy did not understand why he couldn't ride! 

I couldn't love Cade's expression more if I tried! And Connor's bed head!

After looking at everything Santa brought, it was time to open presents from Mommy and Daddy. At our house all Santa gifts are sitting out, unwrapped. Everything that is wrapped is from Mommy and Daddy. 

Since this was Cade's 3rd go round with opening, he did much better this time around! 

Eating breakfast on their new trays and plates. This has been the scene many mornings since then!!!

Christmas was so much fun this year. Just so much magic! The lights, seeing Santa, Buzz the elf. I treasured every second!! I feel like we had a good balance between the magic of Santa and the real reason for Christmas. There is more we will be able to do with him as he gets older, and I look forward to that, too! 

After eating and playing for a bit, we all got dressed and headed over to BeBe and D-daddy's house for Christmas #5! Which can only mean a post on that is next :)

Christmas Eve

***Editor's note (which made me giggle just typing that..like i'm legit or something ;) ): Yes, I totally get it is almost February and I am still not finished with Christmas posts. I have a lot of them that will be dispersed throughout, what I hope will be, regular posting. 

As soon as we got home we started getting ready for Santa to come! First up: Sprinkling the reindeer food! Good thing Batman was ready ;) Pose was all his own, I assure you! As were the boots! 

After sprinkling the reindeer food, we came back inside to have a picnic in the living room. Before that, we had to get the annual Christmas Eve picture.  

I just wished they loved each other a little more ;) Such a blessing to see their bond grow!

Love my two boys so, so much!!!

Having a "picnic" and watching a Christmas movie in the living room. 

On the way home from Nana and Papa's Connor started talking about how he never made a Christmas list for Santa, so we did one as soon as we got home. He wanted to be sure and do it himself, too :)

Santa came!!! 

Next up is {obv} Christmas morning!!!

Christmas #2

The night before Christmas Eve, we headed to Gammie's house to celebrate there. We had a fabulous (as usual) dinner and then it was time to pass out presents! Connor loved to pass them out and always made sure I knew when he was adding to his pile :). He thought it was pretty cool that he had a really long one! 

That sweet smile just about does me in! 

Uncle Kyle and Libby waiting for their turn :)

Cade did a little better this time. No meltdowns, so I'll consider that a success!

It was definitely a superhero themed night for Connor. It's funny to me just how much he loves super heroes. He has never seen any of them on TV or watched a movie. I guess it's just a boy thing! 

Our little blue eyed batman!

HA! Cade has to be one of the youngest superhero lovers out there. He is a true testament of monkey see, monkey do!

After opening presents and playing we settled in for the night. We woke up on Christmas eve and headed to Nana's house for another, as usual, wonderful meal. Those Thomas women sure do know how to cook for a big crowd! After eating, opening presents and playing we headed home to get prepared for Santa! 

Christmas #1

We started celebrating Christmas the weekend before the actual day with my mom, brother and sister in law. I was excited to see how Cade did since this was the first time he had opened any present since his birthday. I tried to get a picture of our tree before we moved any presents and, of course, it came out blurry. Photography lessons should be a goal of mine in 2014. 

At first I had to convince Cade to rip into the presents. Connor was so good to let him go first. Especially since Cade didn't know what was going on as much as he did! 

My pretty momma opening her presents. (Once again.. the blur. In fact, the one picture I got of my brother and his wife was so blurry, I couldn't even use it. AGH!)

Cade saying "WHOA" about his toaster. Once he figured out that toys were in the presents he was all about it! 

Until the end when I made him help me open up the last of the presents instead of playing with the ones he had already opened. This boy is FULL of drama!!!!

I remember Connor going through the same thing at that age. MUCH different this year ;) 

After opening presents we left MiMi with the boys and her "big kids" went shopping and out to eat. It was nice getting to hang out with the newlyweds since we usually have to share their attention with two little blonde headed toddlers! 

We had a great time with MiMi, Uncle Lance and Aunt Bekkah and can't wait to see them again!

Deck the halls

I love everything about Christmas. The lights, the extra time with family, all of the red and green. It's about the only time of year that I am ok with the dreary days. Makes those Christmas lights shine even brighter. What's even better than all of that is that Matt loves decorating just as much as I do. I love our tradition of decorating at night. It just wouldn't be the same if we did it during the day. After our quick trip to see Santa, we came home and got everything ready. Which means that, yes, we were one of the families that decorated before Thanksgiving! :)

Before we got started with everything, Connor and I decorated a gingerbread man that Aunt Kim got him. So much easier than a gingerbread house!!! He had a great time, although he made sure to tell me he was a boy at least 5 times.

After turning on the Christmas music, the boys figured they'd have a dance party before we got started. 

That is their version of dancing. Pulling each other down. They are crazy. And I love it!

But, how could you not love these smiles?!?!

It's a shame Cade isn't a big fan of his brother ;)

Melt my heart. They really are pretty sweet together!

Laughing at their daddy!

Connor put on the santa hat once we started decorating. Little brother, making sure he wasn't shown up, put on daddy's hat...and wore it the entire time.

Cade stood there for a good 5 minutes trying to get that ball to stay on. All I can say is thank goodness for shatterproof balls!!!

Connor did such a good job this year getting the balls on the limbs. They were about 6 inches apart from each other opposed to the 3 inches last year. That is progression, people!!

Cade was so serious about getting that ball to stay. 

And once it did, he was so proud!!!

Which meant Connor needed to point out the ones he hung, too. :)

Cade being my little helper. 

I just love this time of year and all of the traditions it holds and decorating the house together is my favorite!

HO, HO, HO

About a week before Thanksgiving we went ahead and made our trip to see Santa. Best decision ever! No lines, No crowds. Perfect! We go to Bass Pro only because it is free AND they let you take your own pic, too. They have crafts and games set up, too! 

So, every year Connor has cried. He swore up and down that this year he wasn't going to and he DIDN'T!!!!!! I about did I was so proud of him. It might not seem like a big deal, but it is huge for him. He isn't one to go out of his comfort zone very often, and this was WAY out of it! Cade wasn't thrilled, but did smile at him when he asked if he wanted some surprises for Christmas! Brother knows what's best!

After telling Santa he wanted a shopping cart and some new food for their kitchen, he hopped down as happy as a clam. He kept saying, "I didn't cry!" (Insert me saying how proud I am of him...again). Since there was maybe 3 other kids playing with all the games they had set up, he went to town. 

Racing the trains

Bass Pro is pretty genius setting this stuff up, but who has room for this huge thing?!

Cade was pretty mesmerized by that train. I love that little hand pointing to it! 

Thank you, Connor for that beautiful smile. Gotta love the cheese face! And Cade??? Always on the move, that one! 

Cade enjoying his candy cane. Connor probably didn't have a candy cane until he was 2 1/2. Here Cade is at 1 1/2. I fear for what I'll let our third child do!

We went home afterwards and decorated the house for Christmas. That post coming up next!