Buttons, Signs, and Boogers

Landon learned to sew a button at Boy Scouts. He's been begging to sew buttons at home. So naturally, I dug out that pair of pants that I've been meaning to sew the button back onto.

At dinner the other night, I was asking how the boys' days were and Carter shared that he had sign language. Then he proceeded to show me about 8 different words in sign language. I had no idea!

And a funny...

Christopher (to Carter):  Don't pick your nose.
Carter:  Mommy picks my nose. She's a good picker.

Hunting in the City

The boys received these Nerf guns from Uncle Chris and Aunt Beth for Christmas. They've had fun "hunting for deer" and have provided me with a lot of meat. Landon taped a beanie baby dog to the front glass door (that takes some skill!), which is the deer. He has also made and taped a target to the door to practice his shooting technique. Carter just walks around looking cool since he can't squeeze the trigger by himself just yet. I love the imaginations of these little country boys.

Kitchen Helper

Landon is such a good helper in the kitchen. He worked very hard on designing these fruit pizzas, including a smiley face, heart, and peace sign.

A Boy's Feast

I came downstairs to find this one morning. The boys had a FEAST on mini fruit roll-ups. (I counted 10 wrappers!)



The Gift of a Christmas Shave

Happy New Year!

Can't you just picture these three in about 18 years?  I laugh some kind of hard thinking about it.

After we rang in the new year at 8 and put the kiddos to bed, the adults did things like dance-offs and shooting cups off of each other's heads with Nerf guns. Yeah, that's what the adults do once the kids are in bed.

Here's to 2013!

Christmas Day in VA

After Christmas at our house, we headed north to my parents and then to Christopher's parents. It was a wonderful day; I love being with our families.

And yes, that is wine in my stepmama's hand at 11 am. Happy birthday, baby Jesus! Cheers!  :)

And yes, our night ended with the ladies making pizzas as documented by our famous pizza ingredient holding photo.

Christmas 2012

Every Christmas morning, the boys must wait at the top of the stairs while I go downstairs to make sure that Santa has come. He had, indeed, and left many goodies for the boys. They both got games, Legos, puzzles, movies, and books. Landon was really excited about a Batman Hot Wheels Wall Tracks set and a DS! Carter was stoked to find a dry erase board/chalk board easel (the boy loves to draw on a dry erase board), a big wooden school bus with people to put inside, and a CHOCOLATE MILK TRAIN! Well, kinda. That was the only thing that child asked for (well, that and a Minnie Mouse kitchen which Santa felt like he didn't need since they have a Mickey Mouse kitchen). I, I mean, Santa was able to make two milk- and cow-carrying train cars that had brown cow spots that somewhat resembled chocolate milk. He was elated, nonetheless.

A funny note about Christmas this year:  the easel was hidden in the coat closet, covered by a sheet. The boys never go in that closet. A few weeks before Christmas, smooth Christopher opened the closet really fast and the easel fell right out. Right.in.front.of.Landon. We made up an elaborate lie story about how Santa was worried that he wouldn't be able to fit it down the chimney on Christmas night so he asked Snakey, our elf, to bring it earlier and store it at our house until Christmas. Landon thought he was big stuff keeping a super important Christmas secret! And he kept it well. (Speaking of Snakey, poor Carter is so heartbroken over his departure.)

The boys exchanged gifts and, I will say, picked out the perfect presents for each other. Landon chose a Mickey snow globe for Carter, and Carter got Landon a Jake & the Neverland Pirates book. Oh, the love between those two.

And bless Landon's heart, he made us each a picture on pbskids.com, printed them, and wrapped them as Christmas gifts. Such a thoughtful child.

I cherish our quiet, warm Christmas mornings at home.

  

Christmas Eve 2012

After enjoying a lazy day at home and then the story of Jesus' birth and beautiful Christmas music at church, we ate Mexican food and headed home to leave out goodies for Santa. The boys left him cookies and chocolate milk...and a pickle, naturally.

Christmas Eve Eve

On Christmas Eve Eve, we headed over to Elaine's to celebrate Christmas before Craig headed off to work (I always say every year that it is sad that he flies on Christmas Day, but because of his selflessness - and love for the extra Christmas money - another dad or mom is able to be home with their kids on Christmas morning). Papa, Theresa, and Tom joined us in NC for the festivities. It was a night of good food and love. And always a lot of laughter with that crew.

The only person missing was my Bubba, who's birthday would have been today. She's been gone from this world for quite some time, but so close in my heart and thought of every day.

Landon's 1st Grade Winter Performance

The first grade classes at Landon's school performed cute winter songs before breaking for the holidays. My little guy knew every word and dance move! (I do have video; I'll get that posted soon.) He also shared his holiday poster with us after his performance; he worked really hard on it.

I teared up as I watched all of these first graders singing and so full of joy, love, and life. My heart broke for the moms and dads that won't be attending their first graders' winter performance this year. Their days are dimmer without the light of their first grader. I'm still having a hard time coping with the horrific Connecticut tragedy. I look at these beautiful children and just can't understand how a person can do what he did to these angels. I pray every night for their sweet souls. I pray every night for their families - for healing, for stillness, for rest, for comfort. I pray for my healing. I pray for the shooter's family. I pray that this nation never know this intense pain again. I pray for my sons. I pray that God is near. 

Psalm 69:29 
I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

Christmas Jammies

Holiday Party 2012

Despite me just getting over the flu (and having pneumonia but not knowing it just yet), we had a great time at Christopher's work holiday party. We "gambled" at his casino-themed party at the Washington Duke Inn in Durham. I am pretty awesome at Blackjack (Christopher is not) and dancing (again, Christopher is not). I won a gift card for dancing the Electric Slide the best and we cast away Bagley Luck for the night and won a $100 gift card to Lowe's. Christopher's parents were kind enough to stay the night at our house with the boys so we could enjoy a night away. We had a great night!

Chiles Family Christmas

Our Christmas celebrations began the first weekend in December and will carry on through the end of January! We know how to celebrate Jesus!

We went to Aunt Christine's in Alexandria, VA to celebrate with the Chiles side of the family the beginning of December. As usual, the little cousins had a blast together playing with all of Aunt Christines's cool toys and riding down the hill in her front yard on trikes. The big cousins had a lot of fun too.

Carter loved Belle. He kept saying that she was his baby, he loved her, and that she loved him. He wanted to read to Belle as she sat in his lap. Is this little boy trying to drop a hint? ;)