Christmas Memories

It never ceases to amaze me how quickly the Christmas season comes and goes.  As much as, we love this time of year, it seems like you prepare for months and then in a moment it's over.  I will say though, this is the exact reason I start shopping and preparing so early, because the month of December does go by so quick and I don't want anything to ruin my spirit.  We absolutely love and enjoy every event that goes on starting from school programs, baking, wrapping, our elf, family events, to class parties and each thing makes the season so much fun.  This year, there were so many events that Brenton and I had to split our time just to get everything in for each of our boys, but what a great time we had.  We made lots of memories, created new traditions, but most importantly spent a lot of time understanding the "real reason of the season" & giving to others!  Ethan, had a lot of questions along the way, but our new advent calendar helped take the Christmas story apart for him at a level he could understand and grasp.  Colin, he really enjoyed the holiday, as well.  He's not much for sitting and unwrapping many gifts, so Santa was pretty smart this year and left only a few under the tree that were wrapped for him, all the others were left with just his Santa tag.  Colin enjoyed that so much!  He found the gifts that he wanted to play with and off he went.  I remember being a kid and loving that feeling Christmas morning brought, but I tell you this...there is nothing better than seeing your own children on Christmas morning enjoying the moment.  I'm sitting here this morning and thinking back on the season and I'm shocked it's all over, but with a smile on my face I know we enjoyed every moment to its fullest!  So, with that I'm ready to start a new year with my family and make even more memories to cherish!

making his cookies for Santa

when there is no snow for Christmas, leave it to Chippey to brighten our mood w/ indoor snowballs

oh boy, Chippey delivered the good news

they made the Nice list, said their goodbyes, and played w/ our new tradition

my world

Christmas Eve fun at G&G Shroyer's

family fun on Christmas Eve

opening presents

I love the view from the stairway

Christmas morning....

fun

needed a break from the chaos

his last gift was hiding, lol =)

he had his very own Ralphie moment w/ his Red Ryder

she loved her gift, too

he found his truck and then he was done for awhile (sorry it's blurry, he was too quick)

our gifts from the boys...Colin made the ornaments & Ethan shopped at school

Christmas brunch @ G&G Bardall's

Ethan's Bakery all set to go....thanks Grandma Becky

bigger & better....thanks G&G Shroyer

shooting his gun & he did great....shot the target

55 the Saturday after Christmas, so we played outside

his new Flashpad Air keeps him busy

oh no the Bat Bot is after me

loves How to Train a Dragon 2

what a great season we had...time to relax

Christmas Rat Race!

I'm sure I'm not the only parent that feels the Christmas season can feel like such a rat race the last couple of weeks, before the kids are out of school to enjoy Christmas break?!  Between the programs, extra "seasonal" events, and all the gifts that need to be given I have to admit, I'm looking forward to this Friday.  Now, this is the exact reason that I start shopping very early, b/c I love to enjoy the season to the fullest.  I refuse to allow anything to ruin my Christmas spirit, b/c I love this time of year.  I have a few items on the bucket list to get done this weekend with our boys, so we are enjoying the moment up to the very last minute!  This week, alone, has been extremely busy with PJ parties, gift exchanges, programs, Santa visits, singing at the nursing home, and fun at the HS we have been exhausted every night this week, thus far!  So many fun, neat, and memorable moments are happening at our house this season and we are enjoying the season to the fullest! 

9 years old now

2nd Grade Christmas Concert time

2nd grade concert

We had the best "date" day in Columbus...we finally made it in to see the trophies & saw Bosa on the practice field (thanks to the guy w/ the key card)

who knew...Chippey makes things other than just toys

total exhaustion caught right here....8 am on a Monday night

Gingerbread Man practicing his part

story time w/ Daddy

ready for his PreK program

so proud of my little guy...no tears & he did the very best he could!

Colin loved that Chippey was by the "choo choo" he found him and said "there is is" and "all aboard"

making Christmas a little brighter for folks in the nursing home w/ his Building Better Braves friends...he even sang a solo too!

lots of ornaments were added to our tree this year...all of these represent 2014

he wouldn't sit on Santa's lap, but hey, this is closer than he's ever been before

giving him his list

"Bring on PJ day" he made to the last day of school, before break

A Night Full of Fun!

Brenton has been in love with our little town way before we ever moved here.  I used to hear, "we need to get down that way" for years before we ever did anything about it.  I myself, love our little town, but this weekend sure made me love it even more.  We had the annual 'Christmas on the Square' and boy, did we have a fun night celebrating the magic of Christmas.  We ran into Santa & Mrs. Claus, went on a hayride to see all the pretty lights around town, ate popcorn, and decorated cookies.  It's fun to see how a little place, like Gnaden, can pull off an event that everyone in the town loves.  The place was jam packed with our neighbors, friends, people across town, folks we've never met, and teachers from Ethan's school. We had a family night and enjoyed getting out an about.  Colin, he had to warm up a bit.  At first, the crowd was too much and Daddy had to shelter him for a few minutes, but once Daddy took him off on his own for a little while he then warmed up and was fine.  He enjoyed the hayride and seeing the lights!  I loved hearing him giggle and singing along the way!  Ethan, was so glad to see Santa.  We've been preparing for him for a few weeks now, so getting to see him was the highlight for him.  We didn't get to do everything that was at the square, only because Ethan and I had to head to the high school to watch Lynnsey & Logan perform in the high school musical Beauty & the Beast. Wow!  Those kids, well the whole cast, did a fantastic job...I loved the performance.  There is just something about a Disney musical!!  I wanted Ethan to go and see how a performance is done, because this boy of mine, performs every single day and if drama is in his future I wanted him to see how it's done.  Logan took him behind the scenes for a quick visit, so that was pretty neat and he loved it.  He ran into his principal, the man that he looks up to so much at school, and that really made his night. LOL!   Overall, we had a great evening....but, then to come home and see the Buckeye's slaughter the Badgers was the icing on the cake.  Holy cow, a 59-0 win helped to make this house a very happy household! LOL!!

oh boy, look who found Gnaden

family fun on the hayride

he loved all the lights

he loved watching the lights to music...great job Blickensderfer's

warming up from the cold = decorating cookies

he just loved running around the place

Beauty & the Beast cast

B1G Champs - OSU Buckeyes

then, Sunday we woke up to more Elf shenanigans