Santa PIctures

A few days before Christmas, my mom and I were doing some last minute shopping. Just down the road from my house, there is a photography studio that was doing FREE Santa pictures. We hurried and found outfits for the kids and took them down. Landon was super super excited to see Santa . A lady in front of us with a baby told us we could go first because she could see that. Landon told Santa he wanted Legos and Carter just kept staring at him. I think we did pretty good because the kids are both smiling and looking at the camera. I got six pictures in the mail today, along with Christmas confetti, and was really pleased with how they turned out. If I want to order more or bigger pictures, I can go in and do so. I thought that was a good idea because who has tons of extra money to get Santa pictures done DURING the holidays? Plus, it's only a couple of bucks. $1 for a 4/6 and $3 for a 5/7. Can't beat that! I think these would be fun for the Grandma's, yes?

**I think the scanner was dirty. They didn't scan all that well but enough to get the idea!**

ChRiStMaS dAy

Christmas this year was a FUN one. We had to wake up sleepy head Landon but once he was up, he couldn't wait to see if Santa and the reindeers had eaten their treats. He was disappointed to find that one of the reindeers did not eat ALL of his carrot ;) He got over it quickly when he saw presents galore!

We started off by getting all of the treats our of our stockings..then the the present opening began! Landon was a little overwelmed at first and wanted to just play with the first toy he had opened but we convinced him that there was even more fun toys to open. He kept asking "These are for ME? All of these?" It was really cute.

The boys and their loot. Carter had no idea what was going on. He was just happy that he had a full belly!

The best Christmas present-Pa'Pa is home! He came over after we opened our presents with Grandma and Uncle Travis. Landon was so excited to see him-he ran up and gave him the biggest hug!

Later on, we went back over to my parents house and it was like Christmas started all over again. We all exchanged gifts and then ate dinner. Grandma thought it would be fun to have a little firetruck at her house for the kids to play with and Great Grandma brought him a firefighter's helmet. He was in heaven. Boys and their toys!

Aunt Brittany and Carter.

Carter had a good time chomping on uncle Cody's fingers during dinner. Teething perhaps?

As you can see, we had a wondeful day. So from our family to yours, hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas too!!

Christmas Eve

For Christmas Eve this year, Chris had to work so the kids and I spent most of the day at home, resting. Carter had a little bit of a fever and Landon has been missing out on his naps so it was some good down time for us! Later in the evening, Landon and Carter came with me to Grandma's for dinner. After dinner, Cody and Landon went outside to light candles in paperbags on the sidewalks. Almost the whole neighborhood did this so it was fun to see. Then, Grandma surprised Landon, Carter, Brittany, and I with new jammies-the daddies got books to read to their families. [Chris showed up just in time to read the books!] Soon after, it was getting late so we headed home to make cookies for Santa and put carrots out for the reindeers. Landon was super excited for Santa to come but went to bed surprisingly very well.

My mom and I tried to get a good picture of the kids at her house in their matching jammies but it did not go so good!

. Luckily, they cooperated later and I was able to get some cute pictures...

I think the best part about Christmas Eve was how excited Landon was for Santa to come. This is the first year he was able to understand everything that was going on and it was just SO fun. Also, it was a SiLeNt NiGht...

Home Sweet Home

Our home was the cleanest it's been on Christmas Eve (all ready for Santa to come) so I was able to finally get some pictures of our place. The way our unit is placed, we walk in through our back door and enter the kitchen, which I forgot to get a picture of. Just past the kicthen there is a bathroom to your left and a closet to your right and then you are in the living room.

Veiw from the kicthen ^

Veiw from the front door ^

Coming in the front door, there is a set of stairs which will be TONS of fun with a crawling baby ;)

At the top of the stairs is our second bathroom on the right

And the boys room on the right next to that. They have done really well sharing a room together. I was nervous at first to have Carter out of our room because I had gotten so used to having him there but he loves his crib!

On the left is our bedroom

And that's it! Some might say it's small but we are so grateful to finally have a place of our own.

Go Speed Racer!

Chris got out his old Speed Racer DVD series and Landon was just thrilled. I came home one night from running a few errands and found them on the floor in the living room asleep with the DVD still playing. I thought it was funny that they were sharing a small pillow. I put all three boys in bed and that was that.

{Nap Time}

Did you know it's really comfty to sleep at the top of the stairs? Landon sure thought so yesterday.

BTW: Carter is now 6 months old.

Carter's Stocking

Finished just in time for Christmas! Chris' grandmother (Carter's great) made his first Christmas stocking and all of the other stockings for their side of the family but has now stopped making them. Chris, Landon, and I all have one made by her so I wanted Carter's to match. Chris and I googled Christmas coloring pages online and found a gingerbread we thought was cute. I traced it and my sister helped me come up with the peppermint candy design. I knew it wasn't going to turn out as good as hers but I figured I should give it a shot. The beading was intimidating but fun once I got started. The hardest part for me was sewing it together. Let's not talk about the top of the stocking. [Maybe one day I will pick it and try again] I just hope it will hold up for Carter's Christmas' with us intil he's grown. At least it's done so Santa can leave lots of fun treats inside!

Doesn't look that bad from far away, huh? ;)

Santa/Birthday/Lights

Chris' birthday was this last Friday and we celebrated by going and seeing some Christmas lights. We first when to Burger Stop, a fast food resturaunt, where we grabbed a bite to eat and paid for our tickets. The cutest Santa Claus I have ever seen was sitting in a chair right in the middle of the place and Landon lit up as soon as he saw him. Good thing I brought my camera!

The Birthday Boy and Landon waiting for our food.

After we ate, we went outside and waited (in the freezing cold) for our truck to pick us up. We went around in a truck pulling a trailer that took us around to a light show just down the street (Layon's Surf And Swim.) While paying for your tickets, there is the option of donating to a local charity. So we got to have fun AND it was for a good cause.

Carter slept through the waiting and most of the ride but woke up hungry so he enjoyed his bottle while watching the pretty lights.

The best I could do for pictures of the lights. This was before we pulled in. It was really neat! Landon said he liked the dinosaurs and crab the best.

Hope you had fun on your 34th birthday Chris!

Special Delivery

Since we just moved and have not changed our address, our family has been sending Christmas packages to my mom's place. The other day, she came by to drop off a box from my sister in law in Montana. Landon got VERY excited and thought that meant he could open his present. He is so not getting this whole "wait until Christmas" thing. Anyway, Carter has just had a dirty diaper, I changed him and then handed him to Grandma for a second to run upstairs. I came down and my mom told me that I had a package for me in the kitchen. I thought maybe Carter had pooped again so I went in and found the little guy hanging out in the box. He loved it and fit just right. He just sat there grinning at me. The first picture is blurry-I apologize but it was too cute not to post.

Landon had to sit in the box too-of course!