Frosting Cookies

Yes, we were a little late for Christmas, but it's never too late to eat cookies!:)

Christmas Gathering

We found out some friends of ours were going to be at home by themselves Christmas day, so we had them over for dinner. I was glad, once again, to be able to enjoy the holidays with family and friends!

Dinner

lively conversation:)

attentive listening:)

Bananagrams broke out once the food and dishes were cleared!

Good times!

Christmas Morning

Christmas breakfast- always yummy!
(Eggs and Grandma D's yeast rolls)

Carys enjoyed the toys that didn't need opening

my sister's behind that "D":)

Can't wait to go to Oliver Garden for dinner!!!
Thanks Keesha!:)

Corey actually opened a present -
he usually hands them to me:)
Hot sauce and spicy popcorn were perfect gifts!
Thanks Pynes!:)

Christmas with the LeCureuxs

gettin' some grama time in right away

Caedmon the Reindeer:)

Can you see the face????
Wanted NOTHING to do with the snowmobile!

Hangin' out in bed -
I planned to stay in bed as long as possible,
with or without the kids!:)

They're watching Papa plow a "road" through the back yard to the woods so he could get to his wood pile - it snowed before he could get it all in. Papa drove the plow truck and Corey drove the truck that had to keep pulling the plow when it got stuck. It was quite hilarious to watch!

Caedmon was a big helper!

Caedmon wasn't the only one who enjoyed the cat!
(the cat didn't stick around long!)

he's not after the presents... can you see the cat?

Uncle Anthony and Carys making mischief!

This was as good as it got for a Christmas portrait

Someone took a picture with me in it this time!:)

Papa is so good with the little ones!

Sledding with cousins

they both loved the garbage truck!

Carys was all about the gifts -
it was hard to keep them intact -
she's persistent!

Caedmon got an inch-worm (caterpillar in his words)
(it wasn't yet assembled - it has wheels and he loves it!)

Carys was capable of unwrapping her own gifts!:)


It was great to have Anthony with us again for Christmas!
Time spent with family is what the holidays are all about!

Christmas Party

We were invited to a no-kid Christmas party this year. After much thought about who to ask to watch our children, we finally asked a 16 year old friend. This was a big step, for me anyway. We rarely leave our kids and this is the first time we've done so with someone so young. We were right up the road and I planned to come home and put them to bed, so I figured two hours wouldn't be too much with two children. Little did I know that my daughter would scream for the full two hours!!! :/ She was about 6 1/2 months at the time and already experiencing separation anxiety! Yikes! She continues to be a mommy's girl!

Sam did a great job, juggling a screaming baby and still making it fun for Caedmon! She probably read half of our book collection!:)

And we had a great time - should get out by ourselves more often!:)

Christmas PJ's

Thanks Grandma for the pj's!:)

'Tis the Season

I was proud of myself for getting a head start on my Christmas baking - I was baking sugar cookies on Nov. 23rd! But that was about all I got done early!:/

Caedmon had to get in on the fun...but a few minutes of "helping" was about all mommy could handle!:)

Christmas Weekend

Here are just a couple more pics of the rest of our time at Corey's parents. We had a lovely stay! We even got out by ourselves again, after we put Caedmon to bed, and visited some friends. I'm always sad when Christmas is all over. There's just something about the holidays at the end of the year that feel so cozy and...I don't know how to explain it. I love it! Perhaps it's the looking forward to that's the most fun!

Taking a ride on Grandma's walkerGetting some fresh air
Loving the slide!
Tuckered out from the week's excitement

Christmas Day

The first group of family came around around noon or so. We had hors d'oeuvres for lunch...and throughout the rest of the day. Caedmon went to bed before the gift opening began. Yeah, we're kind of sticklers when it comes to our routine. Caedmon's much happier when his routine is followed!:) So he missed out on the first round. But we let him open a gift later on before the second round of family came over. He has really enjoyed his lego set - well, he enjoys when others build and he knocks down!:) As more family came and more presents were opened, this time he was eating supper! We just couldn't get it right! He did manage to open the rest of his gifts. It was nicely spread out for him so he wasn't so overwhelmed or overstimulated!

Just hangin' out

Enjoying quality time with Papa

Pretty strong little guy!

Papa and Nanna are in on the fun!

Playing with some of the cousins