Christmas with Everett

We had a special addition to Christmas this year... my nephew, Everett! This was his first Christmas and our first time seeing/meeting him! What a sweet baby!! He is a spitting image of my brother and it was neat to see the interaction between the two of them. I'm so proud to see my brother so involved and hands on! I wish they didn't live to far away and that I could kiss these chubby baby cheeks all day!! Isn't he a doll?!?

Christmas

Merry Christmas morning!! I know that our kids are lucky and spoiled at Christmas, but I just love seeing the excitement in their eyes on Christmas morning and the magic that Christmas in general brings to them. I'm happy that Tyler remembers what he learned last year at the Christian Learning Center and is still very aware of why we celebrate Christmas. It's not just about getting presents. In fact, HE suggested that we make baby Jesus a birthday cake and sadly, I didn't get to do that. I would love to add that to our family traditions next year!

Kinley doesn't understand the meaning behind Christmas, she's just a typical 2 1/2 year old and happy to get presents! However, there are a few 'Tyler stories' that I want to remember. This is the year that Tyler started to doubt whether Santa was real or not. He asked me and I wasn't prepared for that conversation. Instead of giving him a yes or no answer, we talked about why people like to believe in Santa and all the magic of Christmas and he decided on his own that he wants to continue to believe. Works for me!!

We've learned our lesson before with letting Tyler help with Christmas presents because the poor kid can't keep a secret to save his life. He was very convincing this year that he would keep a secret and after seeing one of Travis' stocking stuffers (a Yeti tumbler), he immediately ran to Travis and said, "We didn't get you a cup!" Seriously?! He tried very hard to tell me what I got by "only giving me (very obvious) hints." He just can.not keep a secret. Lesson really learned this year!

My favorite memory will be from our trip to Hobby Lobby. The Salvation Army was outside the store collecting money and the kids each wanted money to put in the bucket, however, we needed to buy our stuff inside and break our bill first. I gave Tyler and Kinley a few dollars each and Kinley immediately put her money in the bucket, thinking that it was just something fun for her to do. Tyler decided that he wanted to keep his money instead and put it towards his Lego fund. Since I didn't specifically say that he had to donate the money when giving it to him, I left the decision completely up to him, but took that opportunity to explain about those less fortunate than us during the holiday season and the importance of giving, etc. He still decided to keep his money and said that maybe he could do chores at home to donate money. (Right!) It wasn't until we got loaded in the truck and drove out of the crazy/busy parking lot that I noticed he was sitting in the back seat with tears in his eyes. When I asked what was wrong, he said that he felt really bad for the families that didn't have as much as he did and really wanted to go back to give them his money. He was afraid he missed that opportunity. It's hard to explain in writing, but it was a pretty powerful moment for him and one that I was very proud of! We drove back to the store so that he could donate his money. As we left again, he said that it was a really hard choice... to give or to keep and when I asked him what makes him feel better, he said to give. I'd love to take credit for doing something 'right' with Tyler, but the truth is, this is all him. He's such a sweet and compassionate soul and I don't think I could be more proud of him.

Merry Christmas, everyone!!

Christmas Eve!

It was another busy Christmas holiday for us! We spent Christmas Eve at Travis' parent's house and Tyler got to play Santa for the first time. It was fun to watch him climb under the tree, sound out everyone's names and pass out presents.







We didn't get to enjoy as much time as I would have liked back at our house for our own Christmas Eve family traditions, but I did get a few pictures of the kids in their Christmas pjs. They were so excited about them!








Santa came! Yeah!

All things December

Kicking off December with our visit to see Santa and as you can see, Kinley is not having it again this year. She really considered it after Tyler told her that Santa would bring them presents, but she quickly changed her mind as soon as she saw him from a far distance, which meant I knew it would be a successful picture for me (insert my evil laugh). ;-) After just a second of torture and picture taking, she said, "I no wike Santa and I no want presents!" She later said that her DADDY would bring her presents. Uh-huh... she knows what's up!





A little fun at the Buda Christmas festival~










Decorating the tree~ Tyler picked out an Iron Man and Kinley picked out a Little Mermaid ornament for our addition this year.












Watching a movie after a long day of decorating. :-)


Tyler can count to 100! This is one of the first big achievements for kindergarteners! They test as the kids are ready and Tyler attempted a few times before with no luck, despite usually getting it at home. He was SO proud when he finally got his certificate, gumballs and his name on the hallway bulletin board. Out of about 100 kids, he was #42 to get his name on the board! :-)






Neighborhood Christmas party and gift exchange~






Kinley's Christmas dance performance~






Someone snuck mommy's mascara and was pretty excited about it!






First class party I helped organize! I'm SO thankful that I get to work from home and be so involved in Tyler's school! He had a blast at his Christmas party!

Goodie bags that Tyler and I made for his his classmates.








A few friends:
With Jaylin


With Matthew




With Marlo


With Marlo, Lucien & Lily


With William and Marlo


With Ms. Crawford


Class gift from Ms. Crawford




At the Jingle Bell Ball


With Matthew, Jacob and Gavin


With Cash


Polar Express Day. The kids got to wear their pajamas to school and do all kinds of fun Polar Express activities.





Ms. Crawford reading Polar Express to the class.


With Sydney, Caleb and Matthew


With Emerson, Sydney, Caleb and Ava