MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Oh, boy! This is what we've been waiting for! Their eyes were so big. This is one of most favorite things about Christmas, seeing the joy on their faces. (Though, if you look close at Ben, you can tell he's still not feeling too well.)

New movies.

Josh took pictures of Mommy & Daddy opening their presents.

TRANSFORMERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Mommy and Josh were playing legos. Daddy was talking on the phone. But where was Ben? He was sleeping in his bed. Poor little guy.

Christmas Eve

Gramma came over to share Christmas Eve dinner, and exchange gifts. Josh and Ben were all too anxious to open theirs from Gramma, and waiting until after dinner would "take a long time," according to them. But wait they did. Despite the cute smile, Ben wasn't feeling well--another cold--and he wouldn't eat, and by dinner had an upset tummy. He was even running a slight fever. But the presents made him feel a little bit better.

Josh put out the treats for Santa and the reindeer.

And the tree looked so pretty lit up, with all the presents under it.

Christmas cookies

This year, instead of cutting cookie shapes from sugar cookie dough, we made dark chocolate chocolate chip from a cake mix, and decorated them with icing and sprinkles. It was still a lot of fun, but less involved, and just as yummy.

Kindergarten Christmas decorations

Last week, Josh brought home from school at least two craft projects every day. I felt like it was Christmas every day!

On Friday, the 12th, the Kindergarten classes had a Polar Express "train ride," they drank hot chocolate, ate treats, and watched the movie, all while wearing their PJs. The craft project that day was a paper box with a bell inside, like the one the little boy in the movie got from Santa. When Josh got home, he handed the box to me and said, "Every kiss begins with "K"." I had to laugh. He's so sweet.

On the last day of school, he brought home a stocking that he made, but the "h" had lost some of it's glitter, so Mommy had to get out the scrapbooking supplies and "fix it" for him. The candy ornament must've been made by his "secret santa" because he didn't know where it came from. He had given a few of his school pictures to his girl-friend(S) and his best friend, so it was probably one of them that made it for him.

Christmas photo shoot

These are my favorite pictures from our "photo shoot" at home. I always have fun doing these sessions, especially when the boys are smiling so nicely.

And I've only just recently noticed how much Ben's smile resembles his Daddy's.

And though Josh will smile big, showing his pearly whites, he smiles like me a lot, with closed lips.

Lost Tooth

Back on the 5th, Josh lost his first tooth, while Mommy was brushing his teeth before school. I saw it laying down, so I thought if he'd spit out the toothpaste, I could reach in and grab it. But I didn't know just how loose it was until I heard it hit the sink, and the water was running! I scrambled to catch it before it was truly lost! lol

Josh laughed and cried, he was so excited. He couldn't wait to get to school to tell his friends and his teacher, even the bus driver.

The Tooth Fairy left him two dollars! I remember getting only 25 cents! I guess you have to take into consideration inflation......

Decorating the Christmas tree

This pic was taken by Josh. Not bad, not bad at all. Notice that I'm trying to hide behind the tree? haha

This pic was taken by Ben, with a little help from a nervous Daddy. ("Don't drop it!")

Stopping to have a snack of peanut butter, bananas, and raisins on toast. (P & N, do the boxes look familiar?)

This year, it was Ben's turn to put the angel on top of the tree.

Finishing touches....... :)

New replacement windows.....YEAH!

Some other excitement from November (it was a busy month). We had new windows installed over the week of Thanksgiving. Something to truly be thankful for. This was the first window Barney (from Window World) installed. Yeah!!

The outside of the same window, completed.

The old windows waiting to be removed.....

I forgot to take after pics before we put up the tree....but here is the finished window, including the new trim. Nice, huh? (Sorry 'bout the flash in the window. :) ) The boys were so helpful putting up the tree.

And the completed outside view. (Look closely and you can see the finished Christmas tree.) You can also see the grime where the "shutters" used to be...yuk! So, I guess the next major improvement will be vinyl siding to go with the vinyl windows. Or maybe new carpet inside. We'll have to wait and see. First, we've got to pay off the windows!

What the hey....

Hello. Yes, I changed the blog layout. The colors are similar, sort of. Besides, that's what I love about scrapbooking anyway...trying different layouts. And this is cheaper and easier than redecorating and rearranging the house! :) More new pics to come.....

Fun @ the Depot

From the soft-play-area......

...to the arcade games......