LOVE THEM. Live in the present. Remember grace abounds. Feed them real food. Let them see you struggle. PRAY LOTS. don't be afraid to let them fail. Ask for forgiveness. BE STILL. LOVE THEM.

Monday, December 26, 2011

Our Merry Christmas

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I did not realize my camera was on manual until like 10 pictures in.  I did not have my glasses on yet at 6 am so I just thought is was my eyes.  I still posted the moments because blurry or not I can not get them back. 

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The boys were so excited to see that Santa had some in the middle of the night.  They could barely stand to wait just 10 minutes for us to get some coffee and get the video camera ready. 

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Sneaking into his stocking. 

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This one cracks me up that they are both literally peering into the cup to make sure Santa drank all his milk along with the cookies he ate. 

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His face looking at all the presents under the tree. 

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Gavin saying “Look, pwesents Mommy pwesents!”

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As if he can read the tag!

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Showing Daddy his airplane they can build together. 

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Jingle.  He saw this at the store one day and would not put it down so I had to tell Santa when we saw him. 

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They both got capes.  I think Gavin likes his considering he jumped right up into Super Gavin action and darted around the house. 

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Pterodactyl Dinosaur toy.  This gift is a gift in itself to us just hearing him say a big word like Pterodactyl. 

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The Lion pillow pet that was on his list.  Of course when he saw Jingle of Gavin’s he wanted that more than the lion. 

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The Spiderman truck with a boat.  No Motorcycle like he asked for but Santa knew he already had one. 

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Gavin’s dragon mote. 

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Ta- Da! The Batman Batcave that he has not stopped playing with since this picture!

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Really getting into that stocking!

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You know if your hands aren’t working, use your teeth!

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Halfway in we needed to wake Easton up for his gifts but he was still so tired.  Thankfully he does not rise early like his brothers. 

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Messy Aftermath. 

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The boys think Santa is pretty awesome.  As for Mommy & Daddy we both got guns for each other.  I got a pistol and Brad got a rifle as our main gifts and then we exchanged stockings with each other too.  I think he did good with the costume jewelry this year! I remember last year it was a special ornament that was a beautiful surprise.  Since he is a typical guy I know shopping is not his strong suit, however,  I do still like it when he tries.  Sometimes he can be way off but when he gets it right it is so worth it because those are the gifts I treasure.  077

Easton in his reindeer bib at lunch time.  For dinner even though it was just us we made a small comfort food Christmas dinner.  We used Birthday napkins for Jesus' Birthday that were left over from Easton’s Birthday.  Very impromptu but I like it and may keep it up! I really enjoyed this day with my family.  We made a point to do absolutely nothing but spend time with each other.  I even popped popcorn and watched the Rudolph movie with Bradley and Gavin.  I very rarely sit through a whole movie with the kids.  I always feel like there is too much to be done.  Brad also played with the boys and their new toys all afternoon with them.   We literally stayed in our jammies all day. 

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The famous in front of the tree Christmas day picture.  This actually was not Christmas morning.  Apparently I looked rough and Brad kept hinting we had plenty of time to take our picture.  Thanks Babe.  I do look much better here than when I woke up.  Even though all I did was shower and put on more lounge clothes.  I look more awake!

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Christmas Eve

The kids are all snug in bed.  Today on the Eve of Christmas we had a good day.  Just tidying up things and getting ready.  We did partake in a  few traditions.  First let me share Bradley’s first every letter he wrote to Santa that we mailed a few weeks ago.  I was so proud of him.  He asked me how to spell each item that he wanted so he could write it himself.  He has been a pretty good boy so we shall see if Santa comes through with his list. 

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Dear Santa, I would like a (Batman) Batcave ( Then he signed Bradley not realizing he needed more space to write the rest)

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and also a Spider (man) dirtbike and a

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pillow pet (which he later clarified a lion one) Please and Thank You! Love, Bradley

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After the whole family went to the Christmas Eve service at church at 3 this afternoon.

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The boys played a little hide and seek and I just thought this was so characteristic of Gavin! haha! I can’t find you!

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Then for the first time this year the boys opened one gift each from mommy and daddy.

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This was not a tradition I did growing up but Brad did do this.  I like it now because I was not expecting this and it gives a little insight into what may happen Christmas morning.  Bradley wanted to close his eyes and open it and Gavin starting ripping his with his teeth. 

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They each got one of those classic wooden POP GUNS.  He was excited then…..

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he said “Wait, what is it?” They ended up really liking them!

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Easton got a book.  Hey, I know it is not the same but he is very happy, see!

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Then we went outside and sprinkled reindeer food that Bradley and I made yesterday.  We made them for his friends and cousins to give away and they can store it for next year and do this same tradition hopefully. 

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It is oats for them to eat and shimmering confetti that reflects from the moonlight to guide the reindeer straight to our house!

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Then we set out the cookies for Santa Claus and they had to have one too. 

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After a little movie it was bedtime.  I am so beyond excited to see there faces tomorrow morning!!