This is absolutely my least favorite part of Christmas. The part where it's over. We had such a great time, that I just don't want it to end. The boys were so much fun to be around these last few days. Not that they aren't always
rockin' little dudes, but...this was Christmas. They turned it up a notch. Hugs, smiles, laughs, and sweetness were everywhere you looked.
We started off our Christmas at Great Grandpa
Voeller's on Christmas Eve. The boys got to spend some great time with their
ol' buddy and lots of family. They sampled just about every little snack there...and sampled again. It was really great to see the young fella up to his old tricks again, walking around and telling jokes. I am convinced he is simply more than human but less a God.
Mimi &
O's was our next and final stop for the night. The boys ate meat pies, tamales, beans and rice, and bunch of other good stuff. They played with all their usual favorites and caught up with Aunt Annie. Then they got to open their presents and give the
grandfolks their gifts. The boys went home loaded down with gear, full bellies, and smiles on their faces.
When we got home, the boys and I put on our new Christmas PJ's Mommy got us. Then we put out the gingerbread men and cookies the boys made, along with a huge mug of hot chocolate. The boys each wrote Santa a little note to let him know the treats were for him. How thoughtful. Then it was time for Mommy and I to read our traditional books to the boys. Mommy read The Polar Express, and I read The Night Before Christmas. By the time we finished, the boys were ready for bed. It has become routine for the boys to talk and
chitter chatter for a little bit before conking out, but not last night. They hit the pillow hard without a peep. Sugar plums and all that junk.
B got up first this morning at 7:30. I walked out and found him peering down from the railing at the presents below. He saw me and screamed out, "Wow, look at all the stuff Santa brought!" I still can't believe he got up before Jake. Brady went in and woke big brother up and then it was game on. Santa apparently used his magic to light a nice fire on his way back up the chimney, as a special treat to let the boys know they had been
extra good this year. Nice touch. The guys tore into their stockings and found a bunch of cool stuff. Then it was off to see about all those presents under the tree. Santa got them lots and lots and lots of stuff...but most importantly he came through with a few things they really wanted. Brady got his Ant Farm, Jake got his High School Musical 2 DVD, and they both got the
Wii. Santa sure could have saved some money if he'd have known the reaction those three gifts would get. Everything else was just gravy.
The boys had the whole morning to tear into their stuff and give it all a good hearty playing with. We had no where to be until 3PM so it was super nice to relax and let them do what they do best. After all that, we headed over to Ma and Poppy's for Christmas dinner. As always, a crazy big gathering and crazy good food. Until I met my beautiful wife, I would have thought Italian food at Christmas was pretty nutty...but now it's one of the things I have come to crave. Of course, this year I had to just stick with meat balls, roast, and salad...but it was mighty fine nonetheless. Mommy and the boys ate their fare share of all the good stuff, so I know it was as awesome as always. After supper and playing outside forever, everyone opened gifts and more gifts. The boys got even more cool stuff once again. Good grief.
In conclusion, our house is now about 400 square feet smaller due to the boxes and toys strewn about. Our bellies and hearts are full. The boys are resting peacefully in their beds. My beautiful wife is just about to fall asleep on a couch about 10 feet from me. I am probably 30 seconds from passing out face down on the keyboard. Oh and one last but not least thing, Happy Birthday Jesus.
Three handsome dudes.
Hope you like it O.
Man, we are gonna be stepping on train tracks all over the place.
Cleaning out their stockings.
Santa Bait.
They are moving faster than it looks.
Santa must have been really hungry and really thirsty.
To: Jake and Brady From: Santa
He's half Sun Devil, half Fighting Tiger and 100% Brady.
And there it is.
"Thank you
brudda!"
The desired reaction, realized.
Where's Waldo?
"
Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"
Holy cheese whiz, it's a piano!
Adam is about to take Uncle Jarrod to school on the short bus.
Brady doing what he do.
Jake doing what he do.
Ladies love an artistic man.
Three handsome dudes.
Hope you like it O.
Man, we are gonna be stepping on train tracks all over the place.
Cleaning out their stockings.
Santa Bait.
They are moving faster than it looks.
Santa must have been really hungry and really thirsty.
To: Jake and Brady From: Santa
He's half Sun Devil, half Fighting Tiger and 100% Brady.
And there it is.
"Thank you brudda!"
The desired reaction, realized.
Where's Waldo?
"Wiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii!"
Holy cheese whiz, it's a piano!
Adam is about to take Uncle Jarrod to school on the short bus.
Brady doing what he do.
Jake doing what he do.
Ladies love an artistic man.
My reason for reason.
Airborne...All The Way!
The Tinkertoys brought the house down.
"...and further more, I say no new taxes, just new toys."
Artsy Fartsy.
Mommy got to sneak down from her class to get in on the action.
An orange abominable snowman...hey find me a real white one.
Prediction: He will break many, many young girl's hearts.
Brady is thiiiiiis close to reading, thanks to that big guy right there.
Yesterday after school, we made some chocolate-dipped pretzels. We used milk and white chocolate and sprinkled lots of sweet treats all over them. They were a yummy dessert last night after dinner! Today was Jake and Brady's last day before the holiday break, so they wrapped some of these up for their favorite secretaries at school and really made them smile today (although I know the huge hugs they gave each of them were far sweeter than the pretzels)! Boys, I love your excitement for bringing joy to others. I love you!
If it needs to be baked, boiled, fried, rolled, steamed, simmered, stewed, or made "just so"... get a short Italian lady who answers to "Ma" to come over.
He's all concentration, all the time.
He may look evil, but he has a heart of pure gold. By gold I mean butter and sugar.
Tasty, and capable of making transcontinental toy deliveries. The sprinkles aren't just for show, they jam radar too.
Rudolph was involved in a tragic, flight-training accident. He's all better now though.
Why bundle up and brave the cold, when you can roast mallows shirtless?
He is sweeter by far.
"Arrrgh, I be a marshmallow pirate here to steal your booty!"
Take that Al Gore.
Christmas trees made by the 5 and under set: Priceless.
The boys cooked me a full meal of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, chocolate chip cookies, and chocolate milk. It was delicious and Atkins friendly.
This is Jake and his little buddy Dre'. Since Brady is Captain Icandoit, Jake is all about helping Dre' get used to the wonderful world of preschool.
