Thanksgiving and Christmas

At preschool this year they made thankful lists at Thanksgiving and lists of what Christmas was about. Here are the highlights or giggles.

Thanksgiving Thankful list:
Under "books, toys, and games": train with animals on it (he doesn't have one-saw a baby one in the store!)
Under "the best things about home": taking a nap (really that's the best part?)
Under "tv and movies": my poppas news I like alot of them (hehe)
Under "trips I've enjoyed": to Kansas City-we ate strawberry icecream (did you feed him icecream Auntie?)

About Christmas list:
It snows because it's Christmas
People play snowball fights which I've never played before
My favorite Christmas song-"Over the Rainbow"
I'll get my mom a star wars movie and my dad would like one too
Santa comes
He lives at the northpole and of course his elves make presents, they are busy

There was many more of course, but I thought these were some of the cutest.

Holiday season

It has been a long holiday season. One that ended up overwhelming me. There just wasn't enough time to get stuff done!

It started with hiking, when there was a spare moment.


Matthew played outside in the warm weather.

Dec. 20th we got our first snowfall that stuck. A dusting, but it gave Matthew an excuse to use his Spiderman snow boots.

Christmas Eve day Matthew had a great time hanging out with his Auntie. He got 2 pairs of overalls from her and they have been a huge hit. He wore a pair to Christmas Eve service!

Auntie, Matthew, and I went to Christmas Eve brunch where my Grandmom lives. She has been having a really rough time since the stroke. Probably a combo of the stress of surgery and stroke back to back, cold turkeying off depression meds, dementia, and lots of new meds. As they try to figure out what meds work and are needed, we never know what kind of a day she'll be having. Luckily, she had a good day Christmas Eve.

I realized I never took 1 picture of Phil being home or Christmas. The part of me that craves having photographic memories is very sad, but the part of me that feels I miss out on memories by spending some much time behind the lens, doesn't. We had Phil for 5 blissful days. Matthew and I took him to the airport yesterday morning. I was worn out by Christmas Day, but I rallied. My Mom was sick with the flu Thursday night till Monday. We all got tons of lovely things this year. I still have Christmas packages to send out. My motto this Christmas is, "A day late, dollar short." Sigh. One of Matthew's favorite gifts is this track set. It is out a significant amount of time every day!

Finally getting into the Christmas spirit

Matthew and I pulled out Mamaw and Poppa's 4 foot tree and I can't believe that he is basically as tall as it! He ran to be in this picture, I was just trying to get the tree. I mention this, as Auntie commented he must not like to be in the photos, but he was a good sport. He just loves this blank look right now!

That's my boy!

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Christmas Part 2

On Christmas Eve we went to Christmas brunch where Great Mamaw lives. She had a wonderful time opening all her presents. She was certainly spoiled.

That night we opened our presents. Matthew was very excited!

Christmas morning we got up to discover Santa ate the 2 cookies we left and in return filled our stockings. Hershey wanted to help eat Matthew's chocolate.

Santa also left Matthew a special present. Matthew was delighted!

Auntie couldn't come on Christmas, so she came Monday instead. Matthew received a very special barn from her. She made it herself and bought really neat animals to put in it.

After lunch we went to see Great Mamaw again.

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday season!

The gingerbread house

I have never decorated a gingerbread house, so I decided this was the year to try. And the kit I bought had broken all apart.

So instead of decorating it, we had to ice it back together and let it dry for awhile.

It then looked like it had been through an earthquake which caused the pipes to burst and water to freeze all over.

At least it was in one piece.

Angela helped us to decorate it.


I iced it, Mom smoothed.


From how it started, I think it turned out rather well.

Home

We didn't think that we'd be home for Christmas, but at the last minute we were able to go. We left at 6 am and had yogurt in the car for breakfast.

In the afternoon, we cuddled our animals to sleep.

That evening we waded in Poppa's boots.

The next day we hunted for candy canes with our best friend.

And the whole trip we loved on our our favorite Scampie boy.

Making Christmas cookies

Matthew decided to wear the apron I had a child.

Thanks to Auntie, now I have a 50's style apron to bake in.

Matthew's first year helping cut the cookies out.

Sometimes he needed a little help.

Our first pan of cookies all cut by Matthew.

Christmas lights

Last night we went to see a big Christmas lights display.


All 12 verses were lighted, but I just showing 2 of my favorites.




There were some awesome American displays.


Fire!


Happy Holidays!

2010 Christmas card

We haven't sent out Christmas cards in probably 5 years or more, but I got with it this year. Have a very happy holiday season!

*Forgot to say that I didn't design the card, I used hp's template. www.hp.com/go/holidaycards

Christmas craft

Today Matthew and I made a holly wreath from Crayola's website. Matthew and I both colored. Matthew chose all the colors and helped me cut it all out. Matthew decided how we'd glue the holly leaves on and in what order. I think it turned out pretty cute.

Matthew and lights

Isabelle bothering the tree gingerly. She actually stood on her hind legs to pat the talking ornament.

Matthew snacking.

It's so heavy I can't stand up on my own.






My mom says I'm a handsome boy.

They nap just like when Isabelle was a little kitten.

The light master added more lights today.