A "Hall"y Jolly Christmas

Christmas around our house was super crazy. We always head to Nana and Poppy's Christmas Eve after church. Everyone gets too many gifts and eats way too much! The kids usually slip into their pj's at Nana's in hopes that they fall asleep on the way home. Miles and Barnes really enjoyed opening gifts and spending time with Grandma Lane, Nana, Poppy, the Mimi's and his cousins!

Clay became sick toward the end of the night and by the time we got home we discovered he had the "BUG". He was pretty sick all night long. This meant Santa had no helper! Which made things quite stressful. Santa wasn't sure about how to put a Wii together or Hot Wheels tracks. Somehow in the wee hours he pulled through.

Miles and Barnes slept late so I had time to cook breakfast and organize cameras before the big unveiling. The boys ran into the den and straight to the cheapest toys Santa gave them. It was only later on in the day that Miles really became excited about his Wii. He has played one before, I guess he was just overwhelmed by all of the other stuff.

We stayed tucked inside our house most of the day Christmas because Clay was still weak from being sick. But by supper time he was ready to venture out with us to Dean and Liz's for a sandwich supper!

The boys dressed up in all of Sae's new dress up clothes and did their traditional Wiggles dance. Miles was a fairy and Barnes was Abby. Sae was a beautiful ballerina but she went AV with some shiny mirrored heals. Such a fashionista.

Dean entertained us all with his video game "skills" as Miles calls them....

Friday we headed to Gam and Pops for more food, more fun, and of course too many presents. Like Nana and Poppy, Gam and Pop spoil these children too death.

Miles and Barnes are so excited about all of their Christmas gifts. They are now at the age where they can share so many of their toys so they really got double. Gam, Pop, Nana, and Poppy-We love you and thank you for all the great gifts. You really outdid yourselves. Please know that we are so blessed just to have you all close by and our children are able to see you so often-that is the biggest gift.

Lan, Luke, Sae, and Bradley-The boys love everything you gave them too! Ya'll are their best buddies and we are glad we have such a great family. Having ya'll in our lives is priceless!

I know our celebrating will not end now that Christmas is over. We will continue to rejoice in the birth of baby Jesus and all the sacrifices made for us. We will celebrate family, friend, health, and happiness. And we will pray for the same in the new year!

To Mom and Dad, From Miles

Miles made this beautiful gift for us at school! I cried when I opened it. I think it is so great! I don't need anything else this Christmas! An angel from our little angel!

Cookies for Santa

Miss Allison's house on Christmas Eve is a recent tradition our family started. Miss Allison has at least 100 families over to decorate cookies! They are huge Christmas Tree shaped cookies and the children love decorating them. They are also delicious. This year Miles, Barnes, and all of their cousins went together and they were precious. We walked over and the kids sang carols all the way...It was precious! (I have video I will post later!) Daniel also joined us! It wouldn't be the same without him too! Sae (the lone girl) always hangs in there with the boys and today was no different! As we were leaving some of our other friends were on their way in so we grabbed a quick picture (okay...we had a photo session). They were just so precious! Who can resist a bunch of little ones glowing over the magic of Christmas. Not me! The group picture is a reminder of how blessed we are this Holiday and year round! Thank God for these sweet little angels and for all of His blessings.

Finally....The real first gift of Christmas!

Of course Miles and Barnes have been showered with gifts and spoiled over the holiday season. Last night they finally opened a gift under the tree. Miles was not all that enthused with his first gift so we had to quickly remind him that-he needs to "be happy with what he's got" according to the Wonder Pets...Barnes gift was Diego so he was happy! It could have been a Diego rock and he would have been satisfied!

The boys got a brief look at Santa tonight when we were shopping. Still not ready to approach the chubby, cheery, cherry cheeked guy, Miles wondered if he could just yell his list to Santa! Maybe one year we will muster up the courage to have a real conversation with Santa. Until then I guess it is up to Mommy and Daddy to be good listeners and relay the list to Santa.

This year Miles loves Transformers. He also loves Hot Wheels and Match Box cars. He thinks he is a big boy. He has been scoping out the Wii!
Barnes loves Diego, Diego, and Diego. Throw a little Elmo in and SCORE!

I did tell Miles I was pretty sure Santa would provide him with an extra tube of toothpaste since things keep happening to his, and Barnes will be getting one too! Santa loves healthy little people!

Whatever Santa decides to leave for my little ones I know they will be very happy. They have been very good little boys and I think Santa will come through.

Santa-If you happen to read blogs--Just a heads up...Miles says he is going to sneak into the den and catch you in the act...Watch out!

Lady Bugs and Castles

Sunday night our family headed over to Columbia to look at Christmas lights! We had a wonderful time! Miles loved the lights that looked like a castle and Barnes loved all of the lady bugs in the trees. Clay and I received a full commentary of each and every light. Miles even noticed and named the Statue of Liberty and told us she was like the American flag! Clay and I enjoyed every minute of listening to our little ones enjoy the magic of the season! We had a great time with all of our cousins, Mimis and Nana and Poppy!

Mr. Independent

Yesterday morning Clay happened to "catch" Barnes in a grand attempt at dressing himself. He called me into the kitchen and we spied on him for at least 5 minutes. First it was both legs in one pant leg, then he would undress, move onto another activity as if to take a break, and then it was back to the pants. He never gave up! I learned that my little one is very determined when he decides he wants to complete a task! Way to go B!

Mommy's Favorite Gift

Mimi Miranda and Stacey are always so kind to plan a book exchange for the kids each year. The kids get together and then everyone gets to unwrap a new book! I love the idea of building a library for my kids and they are really excited to get a new book. The boys really enjoyed celebrating the season with a few good friends!

The First Gift of Christmas...

Miles understands...Barnes, not yet...This is his reaction when the first gifts were wrapped and placed under our Christmas tree! If you get a gift from the Halls don't mind the tiny holes or slight tears...Barnes just couldn't resist. And please don't look at my bows!

December?

December has proven to be quite a mild month (I am only talking about the weather!) so we have tried to play outside as much as possible! As you can see we save all of our leaves so the boys can play in them. They love outside with their daddy! A friend told me they were walking past our house and spied Clay turning flips in the leaves with the boys! I hate I missed that day! I am sure they were too cute! We sure aren't complaining about this weather....We love playing outside!

A Day in the Park-Take 2

This is a fun picture of B...

"Team Brother"

The best Christmas presents aren't wrapped up nicely with a pretty bow. They are little moments that you just have to put in your head and hope that you can hang on to it forever. The daily gifts my boys give me are too many to count. Last week when we were STRUGGLING (I was struggling actually, they were playing), Miles and Barnes decided to join forces if only for a moment. They sat upon the steps and became "Team Brother". They were hugging, kissing, giggling, and giving high fives. My boys do get together often. Sometimes it is giggles at bedtime, others it is a playroom destroyed...but they are usually a team. I hope this picture will help me hold on to the memory of my boys sitting on the steps shouting "Team Brother" to one another and I hope they stay a team forever!

The Most Wonderful Time...

Clay and I are having a blast watching our boys and their sweet cousins experience the magic of the holidays. Clay and I were talking about how exciting Christmas was for us as children. I will never forget Christmas Eve with my family and spending Christmas morning playing with my sisters and our new toys! The boys are always on the lookout for lights and inflated snowmen. My favorite moment so far has been hearing the boys sing Christmas songs. This afternoon it happened to be Barnes singing "simply having a wonderful Christmas time..." I will have to try to get that moment on video! I know we have more wonderful moments! Can't wait!

Let's Have a Parade!

Today was the perfect day for a parade! We all bundled up and waited for the big fire truck with Santa and his little wife perched on top. The kids had a great time. They ran, played, flirted with Santa through the store window and happily took the suckers he offered. Barnes did make it as far as Santa's helper and he did actually take a sucker from him, so did Lan. Miles and Sae weren't quiet as receptive. They loved the marching bands and horses...Miles hid every time a mascot approached and Barnes was Mr. Friendly as usual! What a wonderful Christmas Tradition!