Christmas 2011

 I can't believe Christmas is already here or really that it is already over.  I LOVE Christmas and this Christmas was the best yet.  This year my parents and little brother drove all the way down from South Dakota (a 2 day drive each way!!!) to spend the holiday with us.  We were so glad to see them, show off our new town to them, and share in our Christmas traditions with them. 

Every Christmas since we've been married, Devan and I do the 12 days of Christmas to a special family.  This year was SO much fun.  Every night Jamis was so excited to go do Secret Santa.  It was heartwarming to see him so excited to hold the presents in the car, tip toe to the front door, carefully set the presents down, and with the biggest smile ever, he'd ring the doorbell and run.  Secret Santa this year totally made the entire Christmas season for me.  Love it. 

 It may sound a little silly, but another favorite part of Christmas is staying up late and wrapping presents with my mom.  Its nothing exciting, but the few times I've done it, it always sticks out to me.  Maybe it makes me feel like I'm "on the inside" now. 

 Of course the boys always "help" too.

 All done.  Can't wait to see Jamis's face.

Jamis was really excited this year.  The magic of it all is really starting for him.  He still isn't into the whole Santa thing yet, but I'm glad.  

 Happy 1st Christmas Jax.  He didn't get what was going on, but loved the lights, paper, and boxs.

 Dad showing off his new boating shirt Devan got for him.

 Mom and Dad checking out the blanket I quilted for them.  It was definitely a handmade pintrest Christmas on my end.

 Devan got the boys all little airsoft guns.

 Nate was regretting ever getting in a war with Dev

 Playing with all their loot.

 The living room went on to look like this for days.

Although Devan was on call the entire weekend, we were still able to get away and play.  The boys played lots of airsoft, we explored the entire town, had dinner with friends, and went repelling.

 Poor loved starved child

Waiting for the men to descend

This was Dad and Nates first time ever repelling.  I still am shocked Dad did it, he is deathly afraid of heights.  So proud of him for going out on a limb (tehehe)!

 Look at Nate go

What an amazing Christmas.  Family, friends, giving, receiving and the love of Christ all around.

Playtime

Play, play, play.   The boys and I have been enjoying the great weather lately and soaking in as much playtime as possible. 

 Jax is loving the playground so much these days.  He has now learned to crawl up the stairs to get to the slides.

 Of course Jamis had to be sure I knew he could crawl up the stairs as well.

 It might have taken him an hour, but what a big boy.  He is in mid "clap" right here.  His clap is so cute.  Its more like a wild bird flapping mixed with a hand over hand dance.  He is always so proud of himself though and always gives himself a nice big clap for a job well done.

 Swings are still the all time favorite though.  Jamis still needs a push ever so often, but is really liking the fact that he can pump himself.

 We also headed to the Children's Museum for the Holiday free day.  Luckily we got there early so it wasn't too crazy.

 As always the water tables were the boys favorite.

 One of the sections of the museum is designed older kids.  You are supposed to build a car with moving parts and see if you can get it to run on the track.  Of course this was like a magnetic force to Jamis.  He sat up there with all the other teens and tried and tried to build a car.  Little smarty pants got a whole axle and wheel set up together completely on his own.  He was so proud.

 Note to self:  Next time going to a public place, bring stroller or carrier.  Lugging wiggly 28lb brick around for an entire afternoon is not too friendly on the bod.  At least he is a handsome brick.

 Sitting is now for babies.

The Magic of Christmas Begins

One of my most favorite things about the Holiday season is decorating.  I love pulling out the same decorations year after year and remembering when we were given them, when we made them, and the fun things we've done in their presence.  My favorite is the nativities.  I started collecting them a few years ago and just love having them up.  Jamis's favorite is always the Christmas tree.  This year he decorated it nearly all by himself. 

 So proud and so amazed.



Haircut

 For the last two years I have trying to learn how to cut little boys hair.  This is no small task in our house.  At the mire mention of the word "haircut" Jamis immediately goes into a hysterical fit.  The scene is a predictable one.  Jamis screaming, snot dripping down is face mixing with bits and pieces of hair, Mom trying to keep him preoccupied, trying not to scream her head off.  It always ends up with the two of us in tears and a do that a flowbee would laugh at.  And it never fails, Devan will come home and say "nice job, love, but we're going to the barber next time."  Easy solution right???  Of course not.  I will get this.  I will learn to give the PERFECT haircut and I will NOT spend money in the process. 

So this go around was of course the same scene.  I actually was very pleased with the job.  Devan came home though and had  to "touch it up" a bit.  I was actually pretty excited about this.  Finally he gets to see what I have to deal with.  No one can give a good haircut when they are chasing a snotty bobble head.  Have it my dear. 

After five minutes I don't hear the normal ritual coming from the bathroom.  I go in and......

NO FAIR!!!!!  The monster fell asleep.  What the heck. 

I swear Devan had to have drugged him.  Of course he could not stop saying how much I over exaggerate when I tell him how things happen when he's not home.  Looks like we have a new volunteer for the family barber though.

 Of course Jax couldn't be left out of the action.

Happy Birthday Jamis!!!

Happy Birthday Jamis!!!  Little man is THREE!!! 

We had a fun family party in honor of our birthday boy.  All day long all he could talk about was eating cake and singing the birthday song.  This year he wanted a pink cake with pink ice cream.  I had to add the blue sprinkles for my own sense of decency.  Funny kid ended up not even eating his cake.  He just want to blow the candles out.  What a fun day.

 So excited to finally have fire on his cake

 Grandma and Papa sent Jamis his very own Lighting McQueen chair

 Every big boy needs a big boy bike.

So proud.  We love you Jamis!

This year I also started a new birthday tradition.  I came up with a lit of questions that I will ask Jamis (and all the other kids) every year on their birthday.  I can't wait to see how their answers change throughout the years.
This year Jamis:
-Favorite color is Red
-Favorite Food is Pancakes
- His best friend is Mom
-His favorite song is the ABC song
-His favorite movie is Barney
-His favorite thing to do is ride bike
-His favorite toy is his Lighting McQueen car (really anything dealing with cars though)
-His favorite drink is milk
-His favorite place to go is Target (I think its because we get popcorn when we go)
-When he grows up he wants to be a fireman.

What a little man.