Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Happy Holidays!

We have really been enjoying the magic of the Christmas season this year! Thomas has truly become fascinated with all the festivities and has been learning The Christmas Story- he especially loves telling the story with his toy nativity every night before bed. He has really been keeping us focused. The day I decorated the house for the holidays, Thomas looked up at the nativity I had arranged on top of our entertainment stand, and whispered..."baby Jesus!" It just summed up the whole season of Advent so nicely. Of course, there is also mention of good ol' Santa every now and then too...today he said, "Mommy, Santa is very, very far away." I thought to myself, "Yep. North Pole is pretty far." Then he said, "Santa is all the way at the mall!" Benjamin is growing quickly and talking, talking, talking! He loves his big brother, and exploring the house all by himself. He is a climber, a smiler, and full of determination and joy.

December 6th-

The morning of St. Nicholas Day the boys find candy left in their shoes!

Thankful for Family.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

One of our favorite holiday traditions-

picking out a tree with the May family.
Enjoying a snowy day with the Maxson cousins.

Watching a holiday movie with everyone.

Visiting with family from San Diego- Great Uncle Joe and Great Aunt Lois.

First snow!

What is that??

One morning the boys woke up to several inches of snow covering the yard...they were astounded. They just stood and stared out the window. Thomas put on his boots and mittens- no coat- and ran out into the snow without hesitation. He was so excited to see snow again.

Benjamin braves his first snow as a little kid.

I guess we need two sleds now- they look a bit smashed.

"Mo is a monkey. He is a baby."

Mo the monkey has truly become a member of our family. Thomas and Mo are best friends, and lately Mo has been going everywhere with us. And Thomas, who can certainly be a handful, can also be very gentle. Especially as he takes care of his precious Mo: eating cupcakes together, rocking him, and even putting him to bed.

Mo, this blog post's for you.

Thomas turns THREE!

Thomas is three. Our little boy is growing up so fast! When I asked Thomas what he wanted for his birthday he said, "My cousins, cake, and chocolate!" So to celebrate his big day, all 7 of his cousins (and their parents) and of course, the grandparents came over for the day to party Curious George style- we went to a Healthworks Kid Museum in the morning, and then back to our house for dinner, chocolate cake, and a movie. What a day. What a blast!

Exploring the museum.


Chocolate Curious George cake with peanut butter frosting- yum!

Exhausted party-goers.

Thomas watches the Curious George movie

with some of his oldest cousins, and Uncle Ryan.

Happy Fall!

We have had the wierdest weather. On this beautiful fall day, the temperature was

in the 60's most of the day. We spent much of the day and evening outdoors enjoying the last days of fall, while we can...I am sure snow is on the way. Partly, because I am writing this significantly after the fact. So, snow really is on the way. Happy Fall!