Wednesday, December 28, 2011

A Very Dragon Christmas

Christmas Morning
What a Christmas!  Travis says to me, "I don't know how you slid it by me to have 3 parties" . . . hee hee hee.  But it was an affair with families and friends... and you know me and hosting- I love it.  And I love the holidays.  But the kids, wow, it just gets better and better every year.  I will forever remember two particular sounds from this year.

1) The boys singing "Rudolph" (such sweet little voices) and Annamarie on cue with her "Ho Ho Ho" - priceless.
2) Laying in bed (too early) Christmas morning and hearing the giant shriek "SANTA CLAUS!" - wonderful.


The best part of Christmas Cookies (poor Maizy!)
  I ended up finding a cheap little tree for the kiddos.  They were thrilled to have their own and to decorate it.  It was a little assembly line of Tyler and Annamarie stealing ornaments from our big tree and handing them up to Carter- who really didn't need a chair but I think he thought that made him special.  We have a star on the top of our tree so I asked if they wanted to put an angel on the top of theirs. 

The Answer:
Tyler: "No, I want us to go in the sky, catch a green dragon, and put that on the top of our tree."
 

Carter did end up putting a star on top

Proud-of-Himself Carter
On Thursday we celebrated Camden's Birthday and the Christmas Pickle at Gigi and Popi's.  Kylie was the big finder.


Immediately after blowing out the candles, Holden announces for everyone to grab a candle.  The sign of a good cake. 

So excited to cake and ice cream watching Gigi dish out!
"Christmas Adam" (as the Bringhursts called it growing up) we had Travis' aunts and uncles and cousins over for our annual White Elephant wine tasting.   The kids got their first dose of presents... and dragons! 

Tyler so impatient for us to open the first dragon of Christmas, he just starts ripping it open with his teeth.

Christmas Eve my parents, Zan and Janna, and Aunt Joanie joined us for an early dinner and church.

Annamarie & Godparents
  
CUTE of her and Joan
Some tickling going on here? :)
 The boys ended up crashing after church to not be able to open presents from us, so Santa's morning was a big one!  Below is my favorite picture.
Carter wrapped himself in two big fabric present bags to be the "Last Present of Christmas" . . . creative kid.
(Tyler green, Carter red)

Tyler trying to steal a little peak.

Loving on her doll - thank you Santa

Loving his perplexus- now THAT'S a smile. Thank you mom and dad.

Loving on his pirate ship and dragon.  Thank you Gigi and Popi.
 Christmas Afternoon my entire mom's side of the family celebrated at Gigi and Popi's.  We even tried to act out the Nativity Story for the crowd.  As Travis said, "I thought there was going to be sacrificial lamb at the Birth." Yes, Annamarie played a sheep and midstory got a good tackle from her shepherds (aka Tyler and Carter)... VERY entertaining reenactment.
When Gigi and Popi try to get a picture with all six- it's pure entertainment.

Nana getting a Sheep Anna Hug.

Mary (as Mary), Camden (as Joseph) and Ryan (Baby Jesus)

The shepherds keeping watch over their flocks by night. (aka Tyler Carter and Holden)  I told the boys that if they would only be shepherds if their dragons could be sheep, than so be it.

"Nay-Nee" (Lani) is one of Annamarie's FAVORITE words and people.  She will say her name so excited, over and over again, the entire way if we are heading to see her. 
 
 
Just TRYING to get a good family picture here, people. for goodness sake.


Catching a sweet Popi moment with his girls.
 
A late night skype with Auntie Rhonda and Uncle Ben showing off all our cool stuff.

Tyler painting his dragon - of course green


Carter painting his blue.  They were so excited.



Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Perfect Tree

 
And so it goes, every year we meet Gigi & Popi at "The Home of the Noble" to find our perfect Christmas tree. It was Annamarie's first time scouting out the terrain, and the boys made it their mission to find one that "sang to us"- and oh, get lost.

Just giddy to be part of it all.


Travis found the winner!   My typical boys- they can't keep their hands off each other.  ever. 
I find Tyler sitting on a stump:  He says "I am going to just sit right here till Gigi finds a tree and comes."  Oh boy, I tell him, that could be awhile :)

A closeup- His look of despair, waiting for dear Gigi.

Now he looks happy (on the left)




Travis finished off my decorating by putting on our star.  As the boys chase each other round and round out of excitement.


Good Luck Santa!

Tyler: "You want a blue dragon for Christmas, Carter?"

Carter: "No. I want a real dragon... not a pretend dragon. One that blows fire... and flies over the sea... and catches fish. That's what I want."

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

An Auntie Rhonda Christmas

Auntie Rhonda came for a Christmas Weekend.  The kids are always so excited to see her.  We took her on the Polar Express and she played "Auntie Rhonda Claus" one morning- stuffed with a pillow, dressed up and all!  Kids were besides themselves!

Annamarie "closing her eyes" for a Auntie Rhonda's first surprise.
What Auntie Rhonda pulled out as a surprise?  Rudolph noses!  They glowed and all.  Tyler (above) now just LOVES Rudolph.  He can't get enough.   He watches the show, sings the song, and of course dresses up every day.

How I caught Tyler watching the movie (from the back)

from the front
The Polar Express!   We almost missed the train... but what a treat!  The boys were in awe of EVERYTHING and Annamarie was her typical self just working the crowd and visiting with everyone (although she looks grumpy here).

Auntie Rhonda and Carter enjoy a sweet conversation

EVERYONE needs to get an "Anna Hug"... they are gigantic squeezes that are just so big and usually end with a giggle.  the best.  Above Gigi was the lucky one.
The boys meet The Conductor.  Still waiting for Santa...

Me and Tyler.  He held onto his Rudolph outfit to put it on for Santa.  He would take it off and on to practice and was just so excited to show him.


Santa came through the door and immediately scooped up Carter.  Mind you our boys have been terrified of touching Santa or sitting on his lap so this was a quick cure.  I think Carter was stunned.

Annamarie & Rhonda
Like I said- just working the crowd.  She LOVES her cousins.... so much.
AUNTIE RHONDA CLAUS!!!  Lucky kids we have.
Anna got her first Cabbage Patch Kid.

Tyler can barely contain himself as Auntie Rhonda Claus digs into her bag.  The boys were literally jumping up and down so excited.
The favorite gift- a blue dragon cozy.

She also gave the boys knight swords/shields.... but it was Anna who went for it... and the dragon.  Anything to impress her brothers.
Thank you Auntie Rhonda Claus!