Thank you for the gifts

This year was kind of world wind when celebrating Christmas. We spent time with Scott's family, my family, and my extended family. The boys received alot of great gifts that we are so thankful for. Books, leggo's, clothes, marble maze, to name a few.

For the past month or two every night both Dylan and Joshua wanted to make a visit to see the HUGE dinosaur at either Target, Walmart, or Toy R Us. They love to press the button on this remote controlled dinosaur. Well, they recieved it for Christmas and have not stopped playing with it. Joshua likes for it to sit with him while his is in the bathroom (yuck) and sleep in his room at night. It is a gift for both Dylan and Joshua but for some strange reason Joshua always has his hands on it. Thank you Grandee and Poppy-- A.K.A Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

I also had so share the pic of the two of them in their shirts. Totally appropriate for the two of them. Thanks Aunt Jaime.

Christmas in the Chicago Snow

This year we spent a week at home (Chicago) for Christmas. We all had such a fun time playing in the snow, going to the Museum of Science & Industry, riding the train, and spending special time with family and friends. Daddy also manuevered very well while driving the car on both ice and snow.

On the trip up (we drove), all Joshua kept asking was if we were there yet (keep in mind this is an eleven hour trip). We finally got there and then all he kept asking was when we could play in the snow. The temps were in the low teens the beginning of the week so it was too cold but by mid week (Christmas Eve) we were able to play outside. We built a snowman at Nanna and Papa's house and then another one at Uncle Joe, Aunt Jaime ,and Colin's house. We threw snowballs and made snow angels. Alot of fun with some emotions of Nanna not being with us and Papa being sick. We will not forget the special time we had this year.

Jimmy the Cheetah

I just have to share this. It's one of those things that when our child is 30 years old we can ask him "What ever happened to Jimmy the Cheetah?"

The boys got Build a Bear gift cards for their birthdays. We made a family night of it and went to the store. Most of the stuffed animals are bears but they have added other animals as well. Both J and D knew what they wanted as soon as they walked in the door. J ran to the cheetah and D the T Rex dinosaur. It was so sweet. They just knew. They got to stuff them, put little hearts in them, and then give them a bath. While riding in the car on the way home we told J he should name his cheetah. I think he was trying to come up with Simba from Lion King but out of no where he pulled out "Jimmy". So now J has "Jimmy the Cheetah" and D has "Roar" as he likes to call it.

Christmas Fun

The boys had a Christmas party this past Friday at Miss Rose's house. God Bless Miss Rose for having a party for 20 sugared up kids with no parents at the party (she did have some helpers). J and D had a great time and actually came home with a little extra color. J was green and D was red, I guess that's what you get for eating colored candy canes. Well worth it though.

We also hit Zoolight Safari this past weekend. It is becoming one of our traditions. We ride the train and then walk around the zoo to see all of the beautiful lights. I highly recommend it. Daddy was also supposed to take J to see Polar Express at the Imax (which is also becoming a tradition) but after waking up from a nap J was not really wanting to do anything. Daddy was really looking forward to time with J, guess it will have to wait for next year and maybe we can all go.

Rudolph With Your Nose So Bright

Each Thursday Joshua comes home from preschool with some art/craft he made that week. Today he gets in the car with a red nose and antlers. I just couldn't pass up the photo opp.

He also made a reindeer out of popsicle sticks, very cute. It's fun because he has he own little Christmas tree in his room so we are always putting his new little crafts on his tree. The simple things that bring you joy.

We'll all be sad around my house when the holidays are over and no more lights. We need to remember what Christmas is all about though, the birth of Jesus. We get so busy with everything at the holidays that we forget to take the time to stop and remind ourselves what Christ has done for us. He was brought into this world for you & me and died on a cross for you & me. Something we should be very thankful for.

What's Your Christmas Tradition?

Do you have an old family tradition? Do you have a new family tradition? Tell me something special you did as a child at Christmas time? Are there special keepsakes you have of the holidays? I read all these blogs and see so many wonderful things, share more.

Choo Choo

Oh what fun it is to surprise your children with something they'll really like. They are so blessed to have so many toys so we don't tend to buy them a whole lot.

One thing we knew they needed was a train under the tree. We surprised them the other night and they can't seem to get enough of it. Hopefully the train will spend more time under the tree than it has lately. They are enthralled by the size of the train and carry it around the house. It's fun to watch but hopefully the train will make it to Christmas day. We'll see.