More pictures from Christmas, 2009

Posted December 30th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

These are some pictures that B took during our Christmases…

Here’s me opening my big surprise from B and me trying it out.  Goodness you are good to me, B!  In the picture I’m saying to B, “You did NOT stick to our agreement of $50 limit of gifts for each other!”

Me and April, with April dressed in her finery from Grandma:

Our family group shot.  What a fun time we had Christmas morning all together!

Miscellaneous Christmas pictures:

Christmas morning

Posted December 28th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

Santa was quite generous with the kids this year.  He didn’t bring them underwear (as in one past year) and he didn’t bring them lumps of coal, as I was anticipating… instead C and J received candy and matchbox cars in their stockings in addition C received the game “Sorry,” a video game, and a poster of Yoda.  J also received a “Cars” poster, a toy wrecker that makes noises (Ugh!), and a Lego set that makes various transport vehicles.  Their big gifts from B and me were a basketball goal and Rock Band 2, among some smaller items like another video game and another Lego set.  All in all, a very good Christmas.  Or good enough that they stayed entertained the rest of the day and for the next several days.

Santa ate the cookies that were left out for him and drank a glass of milk.  Such hard work for Santa to do this.  Especially since the cookies were store bought.  J asked me, “mommy, why didn’t you make cookies?!”  Me, “uh…”  Daddy just laughed really hard.

Grandma, Grandpa, Nana and Pop came over for Christmas morning.  We had brunch consisting of sausage pinwheels, pigs in a blanket, mini quiches, cheesecake bites, nuts and punch.  Very good munchies!

Here are a few pictures of our Christmas morning. 

This is the only picture I got of our tree this year.  (I really need to work on my pictoral documentation of events!)

2 of my 3 boys playing Rock Band 2, and Nana trying out the guitar:

Pop helping J out with the twisty ties on his new police cruiser:

B also took a family picture of all of us, including April.  I will post them when I receive them.

Christmas Eve

Posted December 28th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

As is tradition, we spend the 23rd with B’s family, the 24th with my family and the 25th at home.  I forgot my camera for the 23rd’s celebration, but am awaiting pictures from B, as he had his camera.  I will post those as soon as I get them.

Here is C reading from a joke book that he received.  I love that he can read!

Here is Pop opening C’s gift, a flashlight.  (I took both boys out to Target – separate trips, of course! – and they got to pick out gifts for Grandma, Grandpa, Nana and Pop.)

C for Grandma – Cricut ink cartridges

C for Grandpa – locks

C for Nana – a sterling silver ring

C for Pop – a flashlight

J for Grandma – a multi set of necklaces with lots of bling

J for Grandpa – a “Cars” set of cars and trucks

J for Nana – a purple and orange scarf

J for Pop – a set of cars and trucks

Here is Nana with a plate that B and I got her for Christmas.  She collects “Give us this day our daily bread” plates.  Note she is wearing the scarf that J had just given to her.

Nana and Pop, with J.

Gingerbread House 12.12.2009

Posted December 28th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

The is one of 2 gingerbread houses the boys did this Christmas season.  The first one was a village that only got 1/2 way completed.  Oops – no picture of it.  J enjoyed eating the treats more than decorating the house.  I don’t think this house got any more finished that what you see here.

Karate 12.11.09

Posted December 28th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

The boys are starting on their second month of karate.  C is enjoying it more than J, but I think they will both benefit from this extracurricular activity.  I will try to get a good picture of them close up soon to post.  They are so cute in their uniforms!  Mr. Keith is an excellent teacher and makes the learning fun.

There are 3 rules in their class:

1.  Karate is for self defense only!

2.  Listen and obey Mr. Keith.

3.  Treat others the way you want to be treated.

There are a few other rules, for instance if you don’t wear your uniform then you can’t participate in the lesson.  And if you forget your belt, then you have to wear Mr. Keith’s “remember belt.”  It is pink.  Should be a good reminder for the kids to remember all the parts of their uniform!  (Except that J’s favorite color is pink… Fortunately J is now calling it a “girly color” but still claims that it is his favorite color.)

The kids have learned to punch, kick, down block and are working on their first kata (I don’t know if this is spelled right, but this is how it sounds!).  This is a series of movements that they have to do correctly and in order to earn their next belt/stripe on their belts.

Starry Nites – 12.3.2009

Posted December 26th, 2009 by Mom | Comments (0)

The family went to see Starry Nights on 12/3.  The boys enjoyed the lights and we enjoyed their expressions and the magnitude of effort that went into these fabulous creations.

Good job, Memphis!