Santa Came!

We woke up Christmas morning to discover that Santa had come! We were worried for awhile that he might just bring us coal, but good news he bought us exactly what we asked for...toys!

I love watching the kids excitement on Christmas morning. Nicholas woke us up at 2:50 and asked if it was time to wake up yet. We nicely, as nicely as you can at 2:50 in the morning, told him no and he got in bed with us. Nolan joined us around 5. We held them off until 7.

My parents were here and I was just about to go wake them up when Jason let the dog out and forgot the house alarm was on! Well that got everyone up! The kids waited patiently for us to go into the den and then joined us. Nicholas did slip out once and ran back telling Nolan he saw a Batman toy. It was so funny!

We had a great morning at home with the boys and my parents. My parents headed back home after lunch and we headed up to Cumming to spend some time with some of the Alexander family.

All in all, a great Christmas!

Nicholas had asked for Santa to put a train around the tree and Santa came through. The boys loved it!

Playing Just Dance 3. I love this game!

Nicholas built a fort in the middle of the kitchen using the cool bricks that Santa gave the boys.

Christmas eve...Waiting for Santa

Christmas Eve was busy day around here.


We made cookies for Santa. Nicholas liked eating the dough better than cutting out the cookies. Even with all the bites he took, we still had enough cookies for Santa and Mommy!

We decorated an ornament for the tree. The boys love painting. Nolan got more paint on him than the ornament, but his still turned out really cute.

We ate a delicious dinner with Grandmama and Granddaddy. We had white sparkling grape juice in our good wine glasses. Nicholas loved getting to drink like an adult in an adult cup. Here he is toasting with Grandmama!

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas Eve Mass and then back home for our annual family shot in front of the tree.

We sprinkled reindeer food before bed in hopes that St Nicholas would soon be here!

Christmas in B'ham

On the 23rd we headed to B'ham for Christmas with the Alexanders. Does it seem like we have been gone more than we have been home this month? That's because we have! Glad for the new year and staying home some :)

Even with the traveling, it was great to see everyone. The kids love all their cousins so much and it is so nice to watch them play and get along.

Nolan

Brothers

Cousins

Christmas parties and plays oh my!

The boys both had Christmas Parties at school. Nolan performed 2 songs at his. It was so cute and he did such a wonderful job. He was the only one that did all the motions that they were supposed to do while they sang.

Nicholas's class got to enjoy pajama day along with their party. They had a book swap, made an ornament, decorated cookies and played bingo and musical chairs. Nicholas made it to the top 4 of musical chairs, but didn't win. Oh well, next time!

Musical Chairs

Decorating cookies

Waiting to perform

So sweet!

Christmas in Dothan

The weekend before X-mas we headed down to Dothan for x-mas with my side of the family. We had a wonderful time. We had dinner at my sister's house, then took the kids to see x-mas lights and then back to my mom and dads for present opening. It was great to see everyone and the kids loved playing with their cousins.

The whole family

Grandparents with grandkids

Opening presents

Nolan and Cole

Granddaddy got two kittens. Nicholas loved them!

Tennessee Aquarium

On Sunday December 11th, we took the boys to the Tennessee Aquarium. It was so different than the GA aquarium which we are used to, but we really enjoyed it. There were lots of cool turtles and seahorses and lots and lots of fish!

Oh no! Nolan and I are in a shark cage!

Nicholas is taller than a penguin!

Touching stingrays

Breakfast with the Big Guy

On December 10th we enjoyed Breakfast with Santa at our church. As usual, Nolan wouldn't go near him, but at least he didn't cry this year! Nicholas went right up and told him what he wanted.

After talking to Santa we enjoyed a yummy breakfast of pancakes and then made some ornaments.

We also got to enjoy the animals at the live nativity outside the church.

North Pole Here we Come

Saturday night we boarded a train in Chattanooga and ended up in the North Pole. The Polar Express was as wonderful as always. The boys enjoyed their Yoohoos, cookies, story telling, and Christmas carols. Of course, the best part was going through the magic tunnel and ending up at the North Pole and having Santa board the train. Nolan was a little bashful, but ended up at least talking to him. Maybe next year he will have the courage to sit on his lap. Nicholas went right up to him and asked for a camaro for Daddy and a remote control helicopter!

Tis the Season...for Elves!

The Elves arrived on December 1st and have been having a blast around the house. We normally only have one elf, Tad, but this year he bought a friend named Merry.

They rolled the lamp...

Went fishing for goldfish in the toilet.....

Roasted marshmallows around a campfire....

Bought a DVD of X-mas movies....

and Left a message on the mirror in lipstick! Can't wait to see what they do tonight!

Basketball Season begins

Nicholas played his first basketball game last Saturday. Jason is the assistant coach and both he and Nicholas are having a great time with it. My favorite play of the game, Nicholas was guarding this kid and the kid got the ball and Nicholas just reached up and grabbed the ball out of his hands and took off with it. Classic!