Merry Christmas To All!

Merry Christmas Everyone!

I hope everyone had a fantastic day with families yesterday, and was able to relax and enjoy. As for our little family we had a wonderful day. We have really enjoyed this Christmas break and have enjoyed some quality time together. (That will be in another post) Our Christmas morning started at 5:30 am with Rylie waking up very excited to see what Santa brought her. We had to watch cartoon for an hour until it was a decent time to wake Jackson. Once everyone was awake, including Paw-Paw who stayed the night with us the kiddos awoke to their big present under the tree!
We couldn't stop there... next were the stockings.





By 10:00 kiddos we spoiled (thank you for all the wonderful gifts, calls, and love!) and the living room was filled with presents and wrapping paper. Every toy had to be opened and played with and every piece of toy seemed to be strung from one end of the room to the other. But, it didn't matter. It was Christmas and we had the day to enjoy. Cooking began around 11:00 with a wonderful menu ahead. The weather outside was freezing (below freezing) so we were very thankful to be staying in all day. Our house was warm with a fire bellowing, and the oven cooking. Our day was filled with relaxation, game play, eating, and naps. I am so thankful for a wonderful husband and two healthy and happy kids!

Sledding Fun!

It's beginning to look a lot like winter! ( I know me and the Christmas songs, go ahead sing it out loud and get it stuck in someone elses head :)

Here, at home we got pounded with snow a couple weeks ago. The storm brought us a total of two feet in two days! It is amazing how much snow can land on top of us! This day in particular we were snowed in and not moving. We (well Rob) did a lot of shoveling while I stayed in and baked cookies. He got a great idea to build a sled hill with all the snow that he was clearing from our walks. Rylie took complete advantage of this and bundled up and faced the storm. This wasn't the most fun of storms, considering the winds were in blizzard conditions. We had areas in our backyard that were bare with no snow and then drifts that were five feet high. But, this didn't stop Miss Rylie, after last year she couldn't wait for the snow to fall again!

Jackson was a hoot to watch. We had him so bundled up that he could barely move. He would fall backwards on the sled and be stuck on his back. So, needless to say this frustration created him to go inside early. But, while he was out the two of them had a lot of fun. Rylie is such a great big sister, she would pull him around and sled with him, for wanting to play so badly she was very patient with him!

We have two little snow bunnies that we will be constantly fighting to get them into the house!

Silent Night....

There is something very peaceful to me about these two photos. Enjoy these two photos, and a quiet moment :)

'O' Christmas Tree 'O' Christmas Tree....

Yes, it is already that time of the year again! I feel like I just sent out these pictures last year. It really is amazing how fast a year passes once you have kids. Christmas is filled with many traditions, one of our traditions growing up was decorating the Christmas tree. We had a system, the lights were put up, mom put on the bows, we decorated, and then one of the kiddos got the privilege of putting on the star. It is amazing how you start to create your own traditions, and honestly I LOVE IT! I was so excited for Christmas this year and going out to find our tree.

It's funny how I didn't grow up going out in the snow and finding a tree and chopping it down, and now that is all I want to do. The first time I did this was with Rob and his family and I thought they were nuts taking me out to actually walk about and find and chop and carry back a tree (oh not to mention I am 5 months pregnant :). Are you crazy! Well now I am right there with them. Last year was pretty much lets just drive down this long windy road until we spot a tree and then lets snap some pictures and call it good. Jack was little and Rylie really didn't care, so we just called it a day. Well, this year was a lot different. We stopped walked looked at a tree, shook some trees free of snow, rolled in the snow, and loaded back up to start all over again. We were out in the snow looking for the "perfect" tree for over two hours. But, this is the best tradition ever! Rylie loved it, Jack had a blast (once he woke up all the way) and I wouldn't trade this tradition for anything. We load up the truck with warm clothes, hot chocolate and some special snacks for the kids and enjoy a day away.

Jackson talking to Daddy about this tree. He was very adamant on getting his attention as he continued to whack him over the head until he looked up to see what he wanted!

Here are a few of many pictures that I took of our day away! Decorating the tree will have to be a whole separate post!

Loves to you all!