Thank You Cards

We worked on these cards last week before the end of our break, but waited to share so people could get them in the mail first.

The red hands inside message says: We couldn't wait to get our hands on the gifts you gave us.

The reindeer inside message says: You are such a deer!

The boys did great with their hands being painted and both signed the inside. We had a great Christmas and the boys are continuing to enjoy what they received. We were blessed for sure.

Christmas Meal

We decided to make a meal that everyone would enjoy instead of a traditional turkey or ham. So, we made Barry's mom's spaghetti sauce for spaghetti and homemade breadsticks (here's the recipe). It was delicious!

 [Zach hadn't quite woken up from his nap which is why he didn't have food in front of him.]

We made a mental note to look for Christmas paper products at the after-Christmas sales, but otherwise it worked out just fine. Both the spaghetti sauce and breadsticks took most of the morning to make. I should have had a vegetable along with the meal, but I was glad to have them ready in time for lunch. Next time, right?!

Gifts, Part 3

We have several special people in our lives that wanted to bless the boys with gifts. 

Our neighbors Mr. Robert and Mrs. Jackie have been in our lives from almost the first day we moved to Lebanon (believe it or not 12 1/2 years ago). We've been neighbors with them for 11 1/2 years so they've been with us during the highs and lows. They love seeing the boys and we check in with them when we get home several times a week. They blessed the boys with toys -- horses for Nathan and emergency vehicles for Zachy. They have loved played with them.

Another special person is Mrs. Mary. I worked with Mary until she retired and then have still kept up with her since then. Mary also has been with me during the rough times and she and her husband prayed for us to have children. Although Tony passed 4 years ago, he was able to meet Nathan and know the results of his prayer. Mrs. Mary gave gifts to the boys - a Lego set for Nathan and a riding car for Zachy. Again, they have loved these toys.

We're so glad to have these special people in our lives. I think I'll have one more installment from Christmas -- the fabulous lunch we had. Yum!

Gifts, Part 2

We started the gift opening time with FaceTime with the Michigan Stevens family. The boys were excited to begin opening and they were very happy with these items. [We watched The Lion King during Zach's nap.]

 Then we got into the business of opening gifts.

The boys each got three gifts from us -- like Jesus did:

something for the body, something for personal/spiritual development, and something you want.

 Here's Zachy's 'want' gift - a fire truck (with duplo pieces)

Here's Nathan's 'want' gift - Legos!

For their body gifts, we got them cowboy boots. They got a few books for the personal/spiritual development gift -- one was about Christmas, and then others were about topics they're interested in. Stay tuned for the next installment of gifts!

Gifts, Part 1

Christmas Eve began with the first gifts....

 Pajamas!

 We got up Christmas morning and did stockings (in our pjs!).

 We got fun things and pretty much Nathan played with Zachy's stuff. You just can't win, can you?

I'll spread out the gifts over the next couple days. Poor Barry's back to work tomorrow, but the boys are home with me for the week.

Christmas Family Picture

We tried to do a picture outside, but it was too cold. So then we went to the Christmas tree. 

 Hmmm... Zach wasn't having it.

 Oops! Where's Momma?

 Awwwww! So sweet!

 Ummm, someone's making a break for it. Yet, Nathan still has a good smile on his face.

 There we have it! 

Sweet boys!

We got the last presents bought on Saturday so today was a day to relax and enjoy being inside. Nathan was proud to put the last piece on the Advent calendar and has asked many times about opening gifts. Nathan got to join us during the service at church and even did his own candle. It was a good day!

Train Fun

We went to the Gaylord Opryland Hotel to check out the fabulous Christmas display and to see if we could take a ride on the Christmas Express. They had a great time on the train!

 Afterwards, they did an ice skating show that we got to watch for free. It was a cheap and exciting day out. 

Aren't they just the cutest?!

Teacher Christmas Gifts

I found this cute idea (click here) and thought it would be a nice and easy gift for the teachers in our lives. We have a friend that does embroidery so I had her do the teacher's initial on it. It turned out pretty well if I do say so myself.

Hope you were able to show key people in your life that you appreciated them.

You Better Watch Out....

Zachy's been surprising us by singing to a variety of things (Let it Go is a favorite and sometimes he'll sing with the radio), but we couldn't resist capturing this since it's holiday related and such! :)

Then, it's time to go to Brother and sing together.

[He's so cute when he says "Brother!"]

Putting Up the Tree

It's December so we had to pull out the Christmas boxes and at least get the Advent calendar out so that we could start counting down to Christmas. Then, we pulled out the fun things (singing snowman), set up the tree, and got the manger scene all set up. It's the start of a fabulous Christmas season, don't you think?!

Nathan had to go and get a horse to have at the stable. I mean, Jesus needed a horse too!

Holiday Flashback?

Am I confused? Isn't the holiday we should be talking about Valentine's Day?! Well, we didn't really do anything for Valentines, so why not go back and catch up on December fun.

December 22, 2016

 It was PJ Day for Nathan, and we wanted to take a picture with the Advent Calendar, but they didn't want to cooperate very well so this was the best pic of the 2 boys.

December 24, 2016 

We celebrated Christmas with Mrs. Lora & Mr. Chris.

 Is Zachy the gift?!

Christmas Day was spent with Nana & Papa.

Didn't Nathan get quite the loot?! He is quite loved.

 Zachy wasn't quite sure what to think as he was able to participate more with opening gifts and having a turn to give a gift.

 It was another unseasonably warm day so we pulled out short sleeve shirts and played.

The train set was a hit for both kids!

Turnback Tuesday - Christmas Edition

November 27, 2016

We decorated the Christmas tree and had a little fun trying to take a picture for a Christmas card.

The best attempt at a picture with the boys.

One Year Ago...

We decorated the tree a little later in 2015 (mid-December), but I couldn't resist including this picture.

Trains for Tuesday

 TODAY - Playing with the train set

The first pieces of the train and tracks came from Uncle Tod & Aunt Michelle when they came at Christmas two years ago. We added additional pieces earlier in the year, but found this awesome set at Target that came in a cool plastic box as Nathan's big gift. I think it's safe to say that almost a month has past from Christmas and Nathan has played with it almost every day.

Here they are playing on Christmas Day (yes, it was so warm that we wore short-sleeves to church -- no coats).

The mountain piece over on the right corner was the top to the plastic tote and the tracks attach to it. Pretty awesome!

Christmas again?!

Mmmmm this gift is yummy!!

Showing off what was in the gifts

Christmas came again to our household as gifts from my side of the family came in. Nathan continues to ask why it can't be Christmas any more and gets frustrated at our answers. But today he was super excited to see the box and open the gifts. Thanks Vernon clan!

Miscellaneous Christmas Pics

These first two pictures are from my sister.

 Nathan just loves his little brother!

 My dad and Peanut

 Hee hee hee!  Isn't this funny?!  

He's obviously moving a bunch since his feet are a blur.

Awwwww! Baby's first Christmas