Sweet December

I can't even stand how much I love this month. Its crazy, and busy, and hectic, and expensive and completely exhausting. But its also warm, and cozy, and magical and full of love and family and rich in tradition. I am just willing these days to slow down, how can we be barely over 2 weeks out for Christmas. It seriously breaks my heart, Thiago and I keep reminding each other to soak it up. Enjoy every gosh dang minute of this special time of year with our little family. These years while our boys are young and the magic is still there are short and will be gone before we know it. And we will never get them back. Trying so hard to live in the here and now with them and weave my love and passion and traditions for the holidays into their little hearts. Praying they feel the warmth as well. We've been busy...jam packing it all in.

Decorated the tree right before Thanksgiving.

Always a fun little event. Me and Thiago busy ourselves with getting the branches all spread out, the ribbon wrapped around and the bead garland weaved through. This takes quite awhile as I tend to be somewhat picky on these types of things. The boys are just fine entertaining themselves as we do this.

They spend their time preparing the ornaments. I have collected a Hallmark ornament every year since I was little. Each year my mom bought us a new one. Now every Christmas my mom gives each grandchild one. That adds up to a whole lot of Hallmark ornaments...and boy do my kids love going through them. They carefully pull each one out of the box and ask me whose it is, what year we got and so forth. They play little games and make up stories. It is ridiculously cute and reminds me so much of me and my sisters at that age. We did the same thing as my mom decorated our tree.

Lincoln and Drake are 100% not helpful in the decorating process. Drake pulls ornaments off as fast as we can hang them up. And Lincoln just hangs them all on the same branch. Carson though, he's a different story. He is actually a great help to me. Right there next to me, handing me what I need. He has a great eye for things like this, knows right where to place them. Such a detail oriented little kid.

Just a few of my favorites....Linc's from last year.

Drake's last year..his first Christmas.

Carson's when he was 2.

Mine from many years ago.

And mine again...slowly my tree is being overtaken by superhero's and trucks and all things little boy. My dolls and angels are starting to be outnumbered. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Finished product! I'm thinking I might update a few things on it next year, getting a little outdated and I am wanting something new. We'll see...

Looks pretty dang good with these three sweet faces sitting in front of it though.

All the rest of the decor is up as well, has been for a few weeks (post coming). Carson loves decorating day so much, he loves to pull out my tiny little village and act it out. He sits for hours pretending.

Drake loves my little people nativity.

Yeah, he was having a good time.

December 1st brought the start of the advent. Always buy the boys these nasty little chocolate calendars. The chocolate is super gross but they sure love it.

Buddy flew into town as well. Welcome back little guy!

He joined us on the first as well. He brought with him a plate full of treats and red balloons as well as a little note. Boys sure were excited to see him.

Compared to some of my super clever instagram friends our elf is rather boring. You should see some of the places these other elves end up each night. Ours doesn't do much, just jumps from spot to spot. One night, he got a little creative and took it upon himself to decorate a mini Christmas tree. Gathered some tiny bulbs and he went for it.

Another night he got a little group of friends together for some Christmas storytime. Boys loved that one.

We have also been busy squeezing in all of our Christmas shows. I own quite a few of the Christmas classics but I also hung up this listing of ABC family's holiday program guide. 25 days of Christmas, different movies on every night. We have been loving it.

We have also been carrying on our tradition of a Christmas book each night in front of the fireplace. Just got about 10 new books this year as well, so that has been alot of fun.

Gathered the boys up after baths one night this past week. Bundled them up good with slippers and blankets and headed out to the car to drive around and see lights. We always try to do this a few times throughout the month.

Stopped for a hot chocolate..

and peppermint icecream. Cause duh, December calls for peppermint icecream. Yummy!

So yes, we are off to a fabulous start and the fun just continues...we have so much to look forward to in the next couple of weeks. Hope you guys are all enjoying it. I'll be back Monday for 10 on 10!

Start of the Season...

Imagine a little nursery out in the middle of farm land. A sweet little Christmas shop full of decorations, poinsettias, and Santa bells. Live sheep and donkeys, a huge camel, and even 2 reindeer...Snowflake and Blitzen. You enter the nursery and are surrounded by fresh evergreens. To your left are hot chocolate and cookies. The line wraps around and around. Kids all bundled up, their rosy little cheeks poking out behind snow hats. Their voices and laughter filling the room. The line moves so slow, but you don't care. You drove an hour to get there, and every second is well worth it. Finally, you are getting close...there he sits. The man behind the season. The real life Santa Clause. He's the real deal. Long, snowy white beard. Soft, red velvety suit. Shiny black shoes. Bells dangle from his waist. His eyes are shining and his cheeks are red. Your littles stare on in utter amazement. Its Santa Clause. They nervously and excitedly wait their turn. Your oldest boy hops right on up there, gives Santa a big hug. Gently runs his hands down the sleeve of his suit, and tells Santa he likes it. Santa smiles and asks him what he would like for Christmas. You middle boy heads up there, his head hanging just a little cause he is a tiny bit scared...but bound and determined that jolly old man will know what he wants. Santa asks if he has been a good boy, your little one catches your eye and says nervously...um, mostly. We laugh, cause while this is kinda true...that middle boy knows he is a handful. Your baby's turn next...he stares at Santa in utter amazement. You have never seen his eyes so big. Not a peep comes out of him. He stares and stares at this jolly old man, reaching out his little hand to touch his beard and his dangling hat. Mom and Dad stare on, this is what the season is all about. Love, family, the magic shining in your children's eyes. May we always believe. Always.

Happy December!

Insta-update!

These boys...love them!

First day of nursery...we are only about 4 months behind.

Favorite dessert.

I told him to say cheese for dad...this is what I got.

Proud of my boy. Successful parent teacher conference today. A few academic areas to work on, but she told me he has one of the sweetest hearts she has ever known. Best thing you can tell a mom. Stopped at the book fair on our way out to reward my boy.

Cuties! They are in the stores friends! Go buy yourselves some. Then eat 10 a day like we do.

2 little almost 4 year olds playing with new toys their birthday money bought.

One little boy sure is enjoying my little people nativity.

Fevers, runny noses, and coughs.

He's home. My world feels right again. Love him.

Primary program for us three today. Unfortunately, I have a small line as well. With my hoarse, scratchy little voice. This cold ever going to go away?

Thanksgiving feast at preschool today! Linc brought grapes, Elle brought fishies.

Little boys and their dads. You just don't mess with that.

And workout is done. The past couple of days I have been wimping my way through cause of my dang cold. This one was legit. I barely pulled myself off the floor once I was done.

I have been waiting all day for this. Hot chocolate and "Parenthood".

Next to my own little family, this little lady is the other one I am most grateful for. I will forever be thankful for her influence over my life. To me she does no wrong. Everything I do I've learned I've learned by watching her. Love you mama!

In the glow of the Christmas tree.

Dropped off our babies, packed an overnight bag and me and him are off!

Watching "Home Alone" with these little faces. Good to get away, but even better to come home.

Linc's 4 year old well child check. Shots were involved. Sad.

Work and school. Goodbye goofy boys.

Kids and laundry baskets...I don't get it.

Little yard and car cleanup. Who knows how many more mild weather days we are going to have. Might as well take advantage of it.

I have a shadow.

A favorite Christmas tradition...different story every night in front of the fireplace.

New Target slippers and make your own pizzas. My boys are loving it.

Snuggling my little piece of heaven.

Breaking Dawn...finally!! With raspberry popcorn!

Working girl today...and I actually did my hair! Rarely happens.

There we go...happy December guys. Can't believe the holidays are here. I will be back in a day or two with our Christmas happenings so far. Until then....