Let It Snow!

As Nick's visit was coming to an end, we were granted another day of snow to enjoy with the boys! This time, they were able to go out while it was snowing. It was so much fun to introduce the boys to this wonderful winter fun!

Matt spotted Granny in the window, taking pictures!

Jonathan didn't know what to do with the snow.

Matt started throwing snowballs at Granny, even though she was inside!

Matt contemplates the snow and figures out where to run first!

Chasing Daddy seems like a great idea!

Jonathan wasn't too sure about what to do out in the snow. He was a bit more interested than Christmas morning, but still wasn't ready to commit to snow being fun.

What's this crazy stuff falling from the sky, and why is it sticking in my hair?

Ooh, ice!

Jonathan finally got a handle on the snow and decided to explore a bit with Matt. The went to look at the snow on the train.

Jonathan's routine when he was outside this month was to run down the sidewalk and then up the neighbor's driveway to say hi to Santa.

Running back home now.

Matt discovers what the threat of a snowball fight does to Mommy. She runs (after taking photos)!

He got me with this one!

Jonathan with the Go Wheelie again. We had a bit of unclogging to do with all the snow, but it worked well on the sidewalks.

Dinner time!!!

This ends my posts for 2009. My goal of finishing the blog on time has been met (with 25 minutes to spare)! I begin 2010 with a clean slate in so many ways. We will be focusing the next few months on our move out to California and our reunion with Nick so we can once again be a family living in the same house! We have had a rough year this year, but have also had many blessings. We had a great time reconnecting with old friends in Houston while we were there, and I enjoyed my time at home with the boys, but it was time for us to move on once again. We begin a new chapter in our lives with Nick's great opportunity at a huge career move. I am easing back into the work thing here in Dallas for now, with great support from my Dad and stepmother along the way. It is helping me face the decisions we will have to make soon about schools/daycares and career choices for me. Lots of changes ahead for all of us, but we are anxious and excited about all that is ahead in the coming months. Can't wait to see what 2010 will bring us!

Christmas Morning!

We were so looking forward to Christmas morning this year! Both boys love the elf, Buddy, that came to visit this year. The were also very into all things Santa, except for the real life ones! So, Christmas morning was going to be good, and it was!

We heard Matt's door at 7:01am, as usual. He's rarely off by more than 5 minutes, since he's allowed to come out of his room any time after 7am. He went straight out to the living room, and then we heard the running stride coming back down the hallway, and started laughing! He yelled out that Santa had come and what he had delivered. So fun! Jonathan was up soon after, and following that, the 4 other adults in the house were up for the day! Too much excitement in the air!

Matt pointed out his new toys to everyone.

The Go Wheelie was the best Santa gift! It's so simple and yet so fun for them both, and I knew Matt would love it because he had them at his old school in Seabrook and wouldn't stop talking about it.

Time to check out the stockings!

Santa brought Matt a Hot Wheels Ice Cream Truck and Jonathan some Tonka trucks, including a space shuttle with trailer and truck to haul it. Notice that's not who is playing with those trucks!

Jonathan loved the Go Wheelie too!

The boys examine all their goodies, and get some help from Daddy for a few things too!

Finally opening gifts at the same time! Much easier than one watching the other on their birthday.

Matt learned to recognize names while he handed out gifts. These 4 were books from their Aunt Kelsey and Uncle Shane, so he had to sort them out so they got the right books. He did a great job!

The look on his face and the words coming out of his mouth were pricelss, and of course I didn't catch any of it! He loves his new remote control car! Thank you, Grandma Karen and Grandpa Marcus!

Daddy's reliving his childhood through some of the boys' toys. Not me, with Matt's Lite Brite I gave him this year ;). Nick got Matt this helicoptor toy and Matt just loves it!

It was a White Christmas for us this year!!! It started snowing Christmas Eve, but actually stayed long enough on Christmas morning for us to get outside with the boys.

Jonathan wasn't into the wet, mushy white stuff!

Matt loved it!

Once armed with his gloves, he was good to go. Just look at all the tracks in the snow. Those are almost all his!

There's a vacant lot next door to my dad's house and Nick and Matt had a blast running around!

Then Matt decided to throw snow at the house!

The afternoon was full of playtime with all their new goodies! Thank you to Nana & Pawpaw for the new airport of Matt's!

Together time, playing with the same toys, and getting along is rare right now, but very welcomed! I had to get pics!

Christmas Eve!

Daddy arrived for his visit the day before, so we got busy on Christmas Eve with lots of crazy Christmas activities!

First, the boys helped me make a gingerbread house. Well, Matt helped.

Jonathan cried since I wouldn't continuously let him eat all of the gumdrops! He just didn't understand why the whole bowl was not in front of him!

Matt tried to sneak a few while he was decorating too!

Here Jonathan is looking at the house, and reaching for some more gumdrops!

Forget the pretzel, Mommy. I reached the tray!

I'm going to get a gumdrop!

See, I knew I could reach one!

Then we had to make some cookies for Santa! The boys decorated one for themselves too.

Think they liked the cookies?

Since Granny & Grandpa have 2 curious cats who also love milk, we decided to leave Santa a note to let him know his cookies were in the kitchen along with his glass of milk.

We put the boys in bed and then we realized we were going to get a white Christmas! I went outside to take some pictures as the snow started to stick.

Jonathan Turns 2!

We had a little family celebration at the house for Jonathan's birthday. We started by opening birthday presents. Jonathan appeared to be a pro with opening!

Matt wanted to be in on the action.

Legos were a big hit!

Some presents were a bit harder to open.

He actually paused to listen to a few of the cards.

Big rigs that Jonathan can reassemble by himself!

He loves these big beads! He and Matt made sure to put a pure boy spin on them. They stand up, hold the string and yell "crash" when the bead hits the ground.

Cake time!

Jonathan loved his gifts, but he loved us singing to him even more!

The laughter was contagious. He repeated the laughter once Nick was in town and we went out for a family celebration of his birthday. The wait staff was laughing as well once they were done.

Matt enjoyed the cake, just a bit!

Just shoving the chocolate cake in there!

The fork was just for show. I don't think he even attempted to use it!

Oh wait, there's a bite on the fork!

Do you think the boys enjoyed the chocolate cake?