Christmas

Weston making a craft at his school Christmas party

Weston & Maggie

Erasmus & Jacob

Happy Birthday Jesus breakfast Christmas morning & reading from Luke 2

Connor happy to get to open presents

Ninja Weston...notice the layered tees and gym shorts over pants

Will happy to be starting our first fire in the fireplace

Weston & Mickey Mouse pajamas

Connor got his very own piggy bank

Putting money in his bank

Santa delivered a few things to the playroom

Weston & Connor running to see what Santa brought them

Connor's cash register

Weston's karaoke/stand-up comedy

The toy you never outgrow

Connor singing & ringing the Salvation Army bell

The Parrotts & the Oxfords

Weston & Maggie

Weston & Maggie ringing together

Connor eating cake to celebrate Jesus's birthday

It was fun celebrating Christmas this year through the eyes of a 2 year old and a 4 year old.  Connor enjoyed unwrapping his own gifts this year.  One of his gifts was his very own piggy bank and  some money to put in it.  (Funny side note: We took Connor in the bank with us today, and he said, "I wanna go tee-tee in the piggy bank")  Weston helped sort the gifts by the names on the tags.  Will & I tried to make sure our kids understood why we celebrate Christmas.  We read the story of the birth of Jesus in the Jesus Storybook Bible every night during the month of December.  We talked about the 3 gifts the wise men brought, and we gave the boys each 3 gifts from us on Christmas morning.  We also did our annual Happy Birthday Jesus breakfast and reading from Luke 2 in the Bible before opening presents. We participated in a live Nativity at the home of our friends, the Rambos, which was awesome and such a blessing to be a part of. Connor, Will, & Weston played the role as the wise men.  Afterwards, Weston didn't want to give up his robe & crown.  He also tried on the shepherd outfit for fun.  I took the boys to ring the Salvation Army bell at the mall and our friends, the Brands, had a birthday cake for Jesus waiting for us in the food court.  

Christmas Card Fun

Connor & Weston, superheroes

Working on the stance

Weston being silly while hugging Connor

Superman theme song being hummed as they run around

Weston taking this role very seriously

Having a little fun with it

Super Weston

Posing once more

Connor playing with the leaves on the steps

The brave duo

Weston & Connor-man

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Will and I woke up realizing that we needed to get Christmas cards ordered--quickly. So, instead of forcing the boys to dress their best for a picture, we chose to let them be themselves.  We thought we would have a better chance at getting them to willingly participate if we let them dress as superheroes.  It was a hit.  Weston LOVED it.  He had no problem pretending to be Superman.  Connor & Weston both enjoyed running around the backyard with arms stretched out as we hummed the Superman theme song. We got some really good laughs out of it, too. I love my little superheroes!  However, there was just one minor little problem with letting them do this.  Weston wants to wear his underwear on the outside of his pants every day!  He also layers several shirts at a time and has to have a red shirt for his cape.  My laundry load has doubled as Weston attempts to express himself as the little superhero that he is.  Oh, and don't even get me started on the way he has to wear pants everyday with gym shorts layered on top, because I won't let him layer with underwear! 

Thanksgiving Program

 Thanksgiving Program--Connor's first school program

4 yr. old Indians on the stage

Connor making the processional

Everyone singing together

Connor's class performing, but he just stood there looking for his Mommy & Daddy

Connor found us

Weston performing

Connor, Daddy, & Mommy

Marley, Connor, & Weston

Connor-man



Me & the little Indian boys



Connor, Will, Me, & Weston

 

Connor & Weston had their school Thanksgiving program in November.  I look forward to this program every year, but this one was extra special because it was Connor's first. He marched in for the processional with a smile, but when he got on the stage, he became a statue.  His eyes darted around the room looking for me & Will.  Weston, on the other hand, was a pro by now.  He came on the stage ready to sing.  Connor's favorite part of the program was the reception following.  He was found double-fisting it with a cupcake in one hand and a cookie in the other.  Weston had his share of cookies, too.  I'm so thankful for my two sweet boys!

Carnathans' Visit in November

Meredith, Abby, & Me in the MSU Amphitheatre

Weston having fun

Abby & Evie Kate

Connor & Daddy

Weston proudly holding up the banner

Connor & Daddy

Will playing with Connor & Evie

Evie the movie star

Abby & Me

Noah

Weston, Brody, & Connor

Ivey Kate

Abby eating s'mores

Evie multi-tasking eating a smore while riding the bike

Noah & Weston roasting marshmallows

Abby & Brent

The boys roasting their marshmallows to perfection

Abby & Evie Kate

Connor tasting his s'more

Weston's first bite

Noah saving a little bit for later

Evie & her daddy

Me & Will

Connor, Evie, Noah, & Weston

Chocolate-faced Connor riding the scooter

The kids snuggling up for a movie

Evie Kate, Connor, Noah, & Weston

Evie & Connor having a date night

Brent & Abby putting Noah to bed in his tent

Weston asleep in his tent

Brent, Abby, Noah, Evie Kate, & Atlin came to visit in November.  We went to the MSU vs. Texas A&M game and hung out the tailgate.  Abby & I also got to see Meredith.  Abby & Atlin came to stay a few nights, then Brent brought Noah & Evie over for a family cook-out, complete with s'mores.  The kids had so much fun.  Noah spent the night with Weston in their tents in the playroom.  Noah earned the position as "brothers" with Weston.  Weston claims he has 3 brothers--Noah, Jacob, & Brody.  Evie & Connor became good buddies, too.  Atlin was sleeping during all the fun, so she didn't make it into any pictures.  Abby & I got away for a few hours earlier that day for a successful shopping trip.  We had so much fun.  We can't wait for the Carnathans to come again!