Christmas 2013

Another Christmas, another birthday, and almost another year has come and gone.  We are happy and well but wishing that time would slow down a little.

Cookie decorating

Here's the finished product!

Christmas Eve at Aunt Holly's

Cole

Bennett is always eager to open his gifts and equally excited over what he receives. 

Uncle W and Anderson

Sawyer opening his first gift

J sporting a "Beardo"

Caboodles are making a comeback and that's what the girls requested 

The girls in new robes

Cousin love

Checking out what Santa brought

New hat

At work with his new toy

Merry Christmas!

Opening gifts with Grandma and Papa

December skies- so long 2013

Still Thankful

Last month, Jackson and Sawyer helped me create a list of things that they are thankful for.  It really was a fun activity, one that I should probably do with them weekly.  There were other things that both boys said that they were thankful for but we didn't remember to add everything to the list.  Sawyer is still adding.  Almost daily, he comes to me and tells me he's "hankful" for something.  Honestly, it's been a great reminder and sometimes conviction for me. He is not in the most positive stage of his childhood so we relish in all of the wonderful, encouraging things he says.  He is very positive when he refers to candy canes.  He refers to them as "candy cans" which tends to remind me of the story of the little engine that could.  Maybe we can market that!

We are ready for Christmas.  Though I'm still having some trouble getting used to the cold, shorter days (and not being able to keep the boys outside as late as I would like), I love this time of year.  We enjoy driving around in the evenings and viewing the Christmas lights, all while listening to Christmas music and enjoying a cup of Starbucks.

Sunday night, we went to the Holiday Express at Pullen Park.  The lines were ridiculous but our time was enjoyable, nonetheless.  We all enjoyed rides on the carousel and train.  I think Sawyer's favorite part was playing on the playground; we probably won't be going next year since he's just as happy playing at the park for free.  Jackson wasn't thrilled about going but he had fun anyway.

Our trees are up and most of the presents are wrapped.  The boys and I finished our gingerbread house last weekend.  This is the last week of school before Christmas break.  We will celebrate another birthday this week and enjoy another Christmas get together.  The baking will begin soon.  This is the most wonderful time of the year indeed…..except for summer:-)

Holiday Express

Messy but fun

Webb replaced the bulbs so that the boys can run around a little longer in the evenings

Marbles Museum 

Cold weather doesn't deter him from playing outside

Gigi's Cupcake- and no, he wasn't able to eat all of it

They love a camera

                                   

It's Fall!

Last month, Jackson hit his first home run in a game and both sets of grandparents and I were there to see it!  We went to the fair twice and got lots of candy trick-or-treating.  It was a busy month with lots of appointments on the calendar. It also was an expensive months with some vehicle issues.  See pictures below:-)  November has meant a slower pace for us so far.  We are definitely thankful for that!

Jackson and NCSU basketball legend, Dereck Whittenburg

Fall means football games with friends and family

Fishing next door

Appointment day which meant coffee and hot chocolate at NC State (Sawyer had a spill prior to picture)

Sneaking in some time at CB after a MB baseball tournament.  S is kite flying in October.

We love beach tournaments

Fair with cousins

Jackson's jack-o-lantern

Fair Fireworks

Sadly, this is the best pic that I took of Halloween night

Sawyer with neighbor

Lots of candy

Leaf piles in November

What happens when two boys are left alone for longer than a minute

Park outing with friends

Jackson being Jackson:-)

Sawyer really does have a hard head.  He tried to jump up on the dashboard and this is what happened.  Thankfully, he was okay and the windshield is now fixed.