Christmas Morning!

 I don't know about your house, but in ours Santa wraps his presents. Jon says that unwrapping is half the fun plus it makes it last longer. So Santa has certain wrapping paper that only he uses.

 Wake up Ky

 When I opened the door to the big boys' room Landon sat up in bed a yelled 'It's Christmas'. The big boys were under strict instructions that they could not exit their room until their clock said 6 am. So a few minutes after 6 I finally went in and got them.

 Nathan was not quite sure he was ready to wake up. I know this pic is a little weird because yes Nathan is sleeping in our pack and play. The reasoning is, when he slept over at Grandma's house a couple days prior he slept in her big crib. So he decided he wanted to sleep in the play pin at our house. Since I really didn't feel like fighting him on the subject, I moved it into his room and he went right to sleep. Last night he was back in his bed where he belongs and the play pin is back in my room for the day care kids.

 As always here is Jon getting ready to read Luke 2. Before all the excitement of Santa we make sure to start our day with the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ.

 Our boys waiting for okay to enter the living room. I think it's funny the Kyler and Nathan have the same expression.

 Unwrapping it finished. Here is Landon's loot

 Kyler's Pile

 Nathan's treasures

 While I was starting breakfast, Nathan helped himself to a chocolate Santa.

 Kyler sporting his new hoodie and showing his hero factory

 Landon jamming out on his MP3 player

Nathan playing in his tent with his Thomas pillow pet.

Well, we survived yet another Christmas. It was a lot of fun and the boys said they got everything  they asked for,  luckily. We were a little nervous on whether Nathan would be a happy and excited 2 year old or a terrible 2 year old (that he's been a lot lately). Luckily he was excited and happy.  Jon and I received nice gifts also and of course Jon spoiled me with a couple of surprises.

Twas the night before Christmas

 I baked up a bunch of gingerbread boys and shortbread tree, candy canes, stars, and bell. As a way of keeping the boys busy I set out colored frosting and let them go to work with Jon's supervision of course.

 One of the three trays of the decorated deliciousness.

 This year Jon found this advent calendar and it was perfect for our family because everyday we build something out of legos that creates a winter scene.

 On Christmas eve we built this lego Santa and chimney.

 While I was busy in the kitchen and Nathan was napping, Jon took the big boys down stairs and together they created this lego castle.

 Later in the evening we went to Jon's parents for dinner, the nativity and Grandpa read the night before Christmas. This year Landon was Joseph and Kyler was a Wiseman.

 Here is our cute little Shepard. Nathan is carrying Grandpa's cane as a crook. the best part to the cane is the horn and rear view mirror.

 Afterwards,we returned home and the boys opened their new pajamas and hung up their stockings.

And of course before they could go to bed they had to set out milk and cookies, and carrots for the reindeer. Kyler was pretty concerned that Santa would get a tummy ache from eating so many cookies so he recommended we leave an apple instead. Very thoughtful I thought.

Jon is 30!

 Jon lighting the candles on the donut.

 Jon and I blowing out our candles. (Landon took this pic)

This past week we celebrated Jon's 30th birthday. Those of you that know us pretty well probably know that Jon and I both have birthdays and our anniversary within 5 days. So we decided to bundle it together. So on Jon's actual birthday we did birthday donuts with the boys and we even put candles on both of our donuts. That evening we dropped the kids at Jon's parents to have a sleepover and we headed out on a hot date.

Here comes Santa Claus

Santa tried to get Kyler to balance a candy cane on his bottom lip.

Nathan actually sat on Santa's lap this year. I was very impressed considering last year he was screaming and climbed off his lap as fast as we sat him there.

Last Saturday we had our ward Christmas breakfast and Santa made an appearance. As you might have noticed I don't have a picture of Landon. As soon as they announced that Santa was ready, Landon ran for the line with his friends. So no pic of my biggest boy with Santa this year.

Giving Thanks

At the dinner table. The boys for very excited because Grandma let them use goblets.

Jon's Mom hard at work.

Jon actually had to work on Thanksgiving so we planned dinner for after he got home. Here he is going through the black Friday ads... planning our route.

My handsome boys

Pilgrim hat cookies

This year instead of spending the entire day Wednesday in the kitchen, I decided to let the boys help make at least one thing. So here they are with the cookies they helped make.

We wanted to make sure the boys realized they have a lot to be thankful for so me make this 'thankful tree'. Every Sunday after dinner we wrote on a leaf something that we are thankful for. We added the last leaves on Thanksgiving morning.

Nathan and Grandpa relaxing while Grandma and Mom cook.

Trick or Treating

Here comes Thomas the train. Nathan saw this costume at the store the beginning of the month and was set on being Thomas.

Landon my vampire. We sprayed his black and he wanted some fake blood. He is at an age where he wants to look more scare for Halloween.

Kyler my red ninja. Ky actually helped me design his costume and we spent a whooping $.75. So we let him get some ninja swords to go with it.

I know this isn't a trick or treating pic but Nathan just looks so cute with the silly glasses and huge nose.

Ready for trick or treating! We went over to Jon's parents and had some pizza then headed out with Grandpa. (Grandma was out of town). Jon and I both took turns passing out the candy at Grandpa's house so that he could go around the kids. It was a lot of fun and my boys have already said what they want to dress up as next year... I doubt any of them will remember.

Pumpkins!!!

Jon was the lucky one to pull the heavy wagon with our pumpkins in it. At least Landon helped push.
Gutting the pumpkins is always one of the boys favorite parts. Which is fine by me because I really don't like it. Jon's job is to cut the tops off then hand them to the respective owner and the gut their own while I take pictures. Jon and I of course clean them out a little and carve them of course.

The boys with all the pumpkins. I know the pic isn't very good but it is the only one with all of the boys. Landon and Kyler are trying to make funny faces and Nathan is pouting about his cup that he is hiding under his leg.

Jon picked this pumpkin because he said the bump looks like a perfect huge nose. When I took the picture he made me make sure to get the pumpkins nostrils.

Ky picked a transformer symbol.... it looked better before we moved it outside because one of the pieces fell a little.

Landon's clone trooper pumpkin

Nathan picked the really funny looking pumpkin with bumps all over it. It was so hard to carve because the outside layer is SO thick. Jon ended up having to use his drywall hand saw to cut with. From this angle you can't even see all the face. Sorry he was not cooperating very well that morning, but he's 2 and those days are a little harder to come by.

Go Utes!

Jon and I went to the U of U game this past weekend. I was the blackout game (hints the black clothes). It was a lot of fun and we had nice seats thanks to Jon's buddy. Can't wait to go again. Go Utes!

Landon is 7!

Yoda made a birthday appearance sporting a party hat of course.

I couldn't remember the last time I got a pic of my 3 sons together so here it is. Nathan insisted on wearing the bday crown or he wouldn't get in the pic.

The birthday boy

R2-D2 Cake. It was my first time working with fondant and I think it turned out pretty good.

Landon being silly with his new bike from his fabulous parents.