More Christmas

We celebrated more Christmas with my aunt, uncle, and cousins from Columbus and Alabama today. It is such great fun to see the kids interact with their extended family! We had a great day eating, eating, eating, opening more gifts and watching tv while the kids played.

The kids enjoying their meal (Molly was MIA).

Uncle Mike, Molly, and Caroline enjoying a great read after dinner.Caroline getting a little help from Kelly (my cousin).

Drew enjoying even more presents this Christmas season!

Sugar and...

Well, more sugar. I really should know this, when they are quiet, there is trouble. Caroline has always been able to entertain herself, so I don't really worry when she is quiet in another room. I have learned my lesson. Drew came running into the family room tonight telling me, "Caroline is a mess Mommy". Yes, just last week I mentioned that Caroline has learned to climb up on our kitchen chairs. I then remembered, "Drew's carmel dip!" But Drew has been so good about putting his dishes in the sink...not tonight. I laughed so hard when I came into the kitchen. And it was even better when I pulled the camera out, and covered in carmel, with a mouth full of apple, Caroline lets out a "Cheeeese".

Choo-Choo...All Aboard!

This is all I hear Drew yelling from my parents' basement. My dad has started a Thomas the Train collection down there. He says it is for Drew, but I think he enjoys it just as much. We decided to take Papa to "The Train Place" today. I knew my dad would love it. Drew had so much fun showing Pa everything. It was so neat to see my son with my dad.

Caroline the Climber

You would think that with all of the new toys, Caroline would be entertaining herself with her new babies or dollhouse or cash register or Elmo...but no, climbing couch cushions is much more fun. I think she just needed to get away from Drew and his jackhammer and chainsaw in the other room.

Christmas 2009

After all the toys had been opened and batteries put in...after the monkey bread was eaten (and many cups of coffee drank)...and, most importantly, after naps were taken, we headed to my parents' house for Christmas dinner and more presents.
My mom NEVER goes overboard with gifts!
Caroline LOVES Christmas!
Jessica and I were drowning in the kids' presents!
We had a wonderful Christmas this year. It all comes to an end so quickly...but we have plenty of toys to keep us busy in 2010!

Christmas Morning 2009

Being a parent at Christmas is so amazing. I now understand why my mom always went all out for us kids. The joy that they brought me this holiday can not be described-the excitement, anticipation, questions, and innocence. It was so wonderful to hear Drew tell me one day that "Baby Jesus was born on Christmas Mommy." When I took him to bed tonight, we sang "Happy Birthday" together. It brought tears to my eyes.
Santa woke Drew up this year to give him his gifts. Drew was so excited (and a little out of it). After Santa got back in his sleigh, we woke Caroline up to join in the fun.
She wasn't quite sure what was going on...
but quickly got in on the action!


And the jackhammer that all little boys dream of! This is all that Drew has talked about since we saw it at Target back in the fall.

Christmas Eve 2009

We headed to the M Family's Christmas Eve. It is always so much fun to get together with Craig's family and see all of his cousins that have moved away. The kids had a great time and wore each other out. I have never seen so much energy-Christmas will do that to a kid!


These folding chairs kept them both very busy-up and down-up and down!

It was exciting for me to see that Drew is old enough to be one of the elves that pass out the gifts! This is always the responsibility of the young cousins.

This was one of the funniest things. C had a chocolate covered pretzel. Caroline, being the munch wagon that she is, kept staring at him eating it-like right in his face. She kept opening her mouth every time he took a bite and leaning in for one herself. Finally, he held it out for her. Right after this, while C had it in his mouth, Caroline squatted down and started eating it from the bottom. She makes her momma proud!