December Birthdays

After a postponement for illness, we finally got to celebrate the December birthdays.

What did Grandma and Linde want to do when we offered to take them anywhere or make them anything?

Dinner at the mall and playing in the mall arcade of course! Somehow I have the sneaking suspicion that the mall arcade was Wes and Nate's idea. Boy, do they have a nice Grandma and Linde.

Wes's "love gift" that he has to share with Nate...fun!

I think all the December babies got just what they wanted.

Catching snowflakes

Yes!!! It actually snowed in Phoenix today! There was a ton of snow all over the mountains and I guess areas as close as Cave Creek had a bunch stick on the ground for a bit. We were super excited just to see it flutter in the air and have a flake or two stick on our clothing. We were driving home from having lunch at the mall when we saw the unmistakable flutters. I made Linde pull the van over and I wisked the boys out of the car so they could experience their first Phoenix snow fall. Wes was super excited to catch a couple flakes on his tongue. I think I scared Nate a bit by pulling him out of the car so quickly and acting so excited. I'm sure he thought his Mommy had gone crazy, but hey...it's snow...in Phoenix!

Wood Family Christmas Party

We love our annual Christmas party with the Wood Family!

Stephanie and Matt highjacked my camera while I was busy playing hostess. Which reminds me, I really need to upload these pictures to Facebook.

A bunch of good shots too.

I'm glad someone was taking pictures.

We ended the night with a good old fashioned game of Pictionary "battle of the sexes", while the boys watched a DVD. If I remember correctly, I think the girls won. Even if we didn't, I'll still say we did.

Playing with Cousin Luc

Cousin Luc was in town for Christmas. What a great excuse for a visit to the Phoenix Children's Museum! The boys had a blast and of course I forgot my camera. Luckily, I was able to get a couple cute pics with my phone. Wes and Luc played like great buds and Nate had a great time toddling around and checking everything out.

It makes my heart pound in my chest with happiness...

I add things to the blog as a draft when I'm behind (like I am so very behind now) or when I don't have time to write a full post or upload the pictures. That way, I can go back and fill in the details later in the week...or month...or year, and I don't forget about the moments. I added this, and I remember Wes saying it while we were driving somewhere, but I honestly don't remember what it was about. I was going to delete the post but then I thought, does it really matter what it was about? I think, just the fact that my sweet little boy had this feeling and was able to express it, is post worthy enough.

Frosty Snowman Sleeping

On Christmas night, Papa took Nate outside to see a snowman blow up that one of their neighbors has in their front yard. Apparently the snowman had blown over or was off and laying on the ground. Papa told Nate that the snowman was sleeping...simple enough. Nate came in the house and told me, "Frosty Snowman". I repeated "Frosty the Snowman?", just to make sure I understood his 2 year old pronunciation correctly. "Sleeping!", he said. Then he proceeded around the room to every single person at the party and said, "Frosty Snowman", they would look at me for clarification, which I gave them and they repeated to Nate, "oh, Frosty the Snowman?". "Sleeping!", said Nate. Regardless if he had just told the person next to you and you obviously already heard the news, he would come to you next and make sure he told you personally about the status of Frosty. At one point he had told everyone in the house and had gone on to play with some toys. Brendan walked in from outside and sat down on the couch. Nate looked up from playing and must of thought, "Hey, this guy hasn't been informed of Frosty's position". You can be sure that Nate toddled right up to Brendan and laid it all down for him. In fact, Nate wants to make sure we never forget what Frosty was doing on Christmas night and is STILL talking about it.

Merry Christmas

Looks like Santa remembered and left some good looking bikes at our house that look like they need a couple riders.

Checking out the rest of their loot.

Happy boys!

Wes helped Ellie open her gifts...she didn't ask for much.

Come on Dad! We want to test these babies out!

After lots of Christmas morning fun, it was time to head over to Papa and Lou Lou's for even more fun and presents.

Wes helps Papa unwrap the gift that he picked out just for him. He was very excited for everyone to open their gifts from him.

Oooo...Nate's rocket ship! A definite favorite.

Girl cousins!

Ellie, sporting Christmas dress #2.

Buddies, Wes and Luc patiently wait their turn to open a present.

Then, it was time for the gift exchange game. Lizzy lays down the rules.

...and it looks like everyone's actually paying attention.

Another awesome family Christmas celebration.