Grandma thought it would be a great idea to take a family picture before everyone started leaving, so last night, after we at our last meal together (awesome pizza by Uncle Paul and Aunt Peggy!) we sat ourselves down in the living room and did our best to smile and not look at the kids. It took a few tries, but we did a pretty good job!
Posted in: on Saturday, January 3, 2009 at at 9:45 AM 1 comments
One of the coolest gifts Caleb and Andy got were some handmade knights costumes from Grandma. Caleb is the Knight of the Lion and Andy is the Knight of the Wolf. They enjoy putting them on and strutting around the house saying "En Guard!" and "I'll save you from that bad guy!". Pretty cute!
Posted in: on at at 9:44 AM 0 comments
We all stayed together to bring in the New Year - playing the Wii. All the grown-up kids made it just long enough to watch the ball drop in Times Square before heading off to bed. We made it, just barely!
Posted in: on at at 9:43 AM 0 comments
Last, but not least, our Christmas in Auburn. After church, we all drove up to Auburn to celebrate Christmas with the rest of our extended family there. It's funny how the boys can go for long times without seeing Gramee or Grampee, or even going to their house, but within minutes it's like no time has passed since the last time we were there. One of the first things they always do is plop themselves right down in one of the comfy recliners.
Gramee cooked a wonderful ham dinner, afterward we opened Christmas presents. Gramee and Grampee started a great tradition years ago, giving all the grandkids and now great-grandkids socks for Christmas. Caleb and Andy loved their Spiderman and Thomas the Tank Engine socks!
Afterward, we had some great pie dessert (our favorite: banana cream pie!) and relaxed with family. The boys just love having all these relatives around!
Posted in: on at at 9:39 AM 0 comments
The kids' Christmas recital at church was postponed due to all that snow we got, so they sang a modified version of it at church the Sunday after Christmas. That was better for us anyways, since all the aunts and uncles got to be there.
Posted in: on at at 9:37 AM 1 comments
Once all the family were in town, we had our "official" Christmas celebration at Grandma and Grandpa's. That other one was just a warm-up. :)
We started with a Christmas story book read by Aunt Peggy. Caleb and Andy really got into it!
Uncle Michael just got back from Korea and he brought the boys books - Caleb really likes his Korean "Where's Waldo?" book!
We went round and round until the boys finally got to the "big" toy. They were so excited! I think Caleb laid on the couch gazing at his Lego for at least 10 minutes. Ha! He had been saving up for the Lego that Grandma and Grandpa got him, so he was especially happy.
And Jakey - all it takes is a ball!
Posted in: on at at 9:35 AM 0 comments
Okay, people, prepare yourselves for the deluge of Christmas posts. We've got lots to go through!
Christmas #1 was on the actual Christmas day, first at our house. Caleb got up very early (he's finally at that stage!) but quietly waited downstairs with Dad until Andy and Jakey woke up. It was a long wait (almost two hours!) and I am very impressed that he held out! First, we opened stockings. 
It's funny how different the boys are; Caleb likes to open everything as quickly as possible so he can scan all his gifts and play with his favorites. Andy is very methodical; slowly unwrapping the gift, putting all his wrapping paper in one pile, looking at his gift for a while, then putting those all in another pile. Jakey didn't realize what the gifts were, but let me tell you, by the end of Christmas he knew just what to do!
The boys (and I) have started a tradition of making Paul a gift each year. This year we decorated an apron. 
After opening gifts at our house, we headed to Grandma and Grandpa's for brunch and a few more gifts. Jakey especially loved "Doggy".
Posted in: on at at 9:30 AM 0 comments