Christmas 2012

This year D went to MN to spend time with his Grandma. Every other year their family gets together so this year S, T and I headed up to UT without him. It's always hard celebrating without him but I know how much it means to him and his Grandmother to be able to spend time together. Here are some of the festivities...

The mad house!

Surprising Yia Yia and Bampa with their gift to a B&B!

T and H -COUSINS!

My sweet nephew's note to Santa! I just loved it!

Helping bake gingerbread cookies... He even sprinkled some reindeer dust outside so the reindeer could find his house. 

When we arrived back in UT the boys opened their gifts here.

D got a pirate role play set because he's obsessed right now. Also some pirate coins or Gold de Bloons in pirate slang. Some regular play money to help teach him about the value and also a doctor kit to go along with our pretend play theme.

 T got a latch puzzle, a count and play cookie jar, a Melissa and Doug wooden kitchen accessories set and a dragon puppet since he's into puppets right now. P.S. I LOVE Melissa and Doug anything!

AHOY MATEY! (Hello or hey shipmate or friend)

SHIVER ME TIMBERS! (an exclamation of surprise, to be shouted most loud)

Love these mountains...

Some of the photos of D while in MN...

D is fasinated with firemen and firetrucks so for Christmas he received this from his Gma.

Melissa and Doug Fire Chief Role Play Costume

He also came home with a LeapFrog LeapPad. I love LeapFrog products! The movie Letter Factory was amazing! Help teach the alphabet and the sounds to both my boys. 

Daily Activity: Gingerbread People

Items Needed:
Thin cardboard or brown construction paper
Pen or marker
Scissors
Glue
Lace, ribbon, fabric scraps
Pieces of cereal, small candy, or licorice

Draw the outline of a gingerbread boy or girl on your cardboard or paper. You can cut it out or have your child cut it out. Decorate by gluing bits of lace and ribbon or scraps of fabric onto the gingerbread person. Make a face out of cereal, small candy or licorice.

Our version this time was just a store bought kit. I came across it a Micheal's. I want to do this version above this year. It sounds so much more fun!

I'll have to post pics of the other ones that we made when Christmas comes back around. :]

Source: The Preschooler''s Busy Book

Christmas Time

Dec 5, my birthday... Turning the big 2-6 felt like just another day. I always anticipate the day I turn a year older however, I've been aging the whole time I've been waiting. You don't just turn a year older over night. Why do I freak out on my birthday then??! I wish I could just stop worrying about time flying by, aging, and one day that my boys will be grown. :( But it's tough. Better said then done. It's a special day though so I try to enjoy the day I came into this world. After all, I wouldn't have these handsome men if I didn't. ;] The Hubs surprised me by sending a letter that I indeed received on my birthday! Glad that turned out well! I also received some birthday cards. Can you tell I'm a sucker for the old fashioned mail? :]] I always try my best to let others know I'm thinking of them via good ol' snail mail. I'm old school. Wait, what? I keep saying old... Ha Also collected many birthday wishes that truly mean a lot to me. Who'd of known that something that small touches somebody? I had also been eyeing a MK watch so my sweet, charming, handsome hubby sent me one all the way from Afghanistan. Ok, it didn't originate from there but his idea did. ;] I LOVE it! Thanks Baby Love!

Christmas is my ABSOLUTE utter favorite! Just to explain, I purchased all our Christmas decor back in 2004. I was a senior in high school.

Our first Christmas together as a family without the Hubs. It's difficult being away from your spouse during the holidays. I decided to put our tree up although we are leaving for Utah this year during Christmas. D was ecstatic about it of course. Last year he helped place every single ornament on the tree. Caught it all on video, it was cute! This year he even tried to help pull the tree box in the house. He's such a great big helper. He played with T whilst I pieced it together, Christmas music in the background... Following all the not so fun part, it was time for decor! By then D&T were pooped. D wanted to relax and watch a movie so I decorated by myself. :( Took four hours to put together, start to finish. Subsequently I was tired also.

I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas!