This was definitely an exciting week--the week of Christmas!! Now, it was also the week of our 5th wedding anniversary, but I'm going to put that on hold until the next blog. First of all, Ethan was sick, and so we postponed our celebration until this coming weekend. Secondly, there are wayyy too many Christmas pictures to be adding Anniversary pictures on as well! But, we did snap a few pictures on our actual anniversary--after Ethan went to the doctor, we ended up staying home and having a nice family day with the kids.
My poor little baby clearly wasn't feeling well from the moment he woke up (not to mention the numerous times he woke up in the middle of the night!)
But look how cute he is on his way to Goggi's office <3
Couldn't you just kiss that sick little face all day--I did, which is probably why I'm currently sick!
Tommy was in good spirits at least!
My favorite 2 snuggle-buggles eating their lunch on the couch for a special treat :)
I did make Davey a nice Anniversary dinner since we couldn't go out--london broil with roasted parsnips, carrots, and asparagus
A little post-dinner cheat--hot chocolate!
Davey sipping his hot chocolate as we snuggled in to watch Harry Potter :)
Our anniversary ornament--wood for the 5th anniversary--I just love it!
The 23rd was filled with last minute preparations, and even some last minute shopping! The next morning, we headed over to my parent's house to celebrate with my side of the family. We had a really lovely day, although I think it's fair to say that we all ate wayyy too much!!
Laura holding down the drinking station haha!
Tommy in mid-"cheese" with Granny :)
I love my Grandma SO MUCH!!!
Awww--look at how precious this picture is <3
Ethan waiting for Granddaddy to get home!
Laura and Mom decided to start the party before he got home though!
Me and the hubbs :)
Here we are again!
Nolan and Dad handling the dishes, like a BOSS!
After a huge lunch and naps for the boys, it was finally time to open presents!!
Mom hanging the boys' first presents of the evening...
Tommy and Ethy Bears!! So cute!!
Tommy didn't mind helping Granny opening her presents :)
Get after it E!
Toy Story 3 containers!!
Zingo! I can't wait to play all of the games the boys got for Christmas!
And, Tommy also didn't mind helping Granddaddy open his presents!
Okay buddy--that one is yours!
A Toy Story 3 book--thanks NoNo and LoLo!
And....shocker...he also didn't mind helping Grandma open her gifts either!!
GO STATE, beat those Commodores next week!
Ethan loved the Cars wrapping paper too much to open it!
Granny got a beautiful sweater from Nolan and Laura <3
Candy Land, anyone?!
A fantasy baseball book for Granddaddy, but I am pretty sure Davey will benefit from that present as well!
Tommy having fun with LoLo and NoNo
Happy guys :)
Your turn again!
Oooohhh....
Toy Story PJ's!!
And, Cars PJ's too--oh boy!!
Ethan taking a good look at his new Cars microphone!
This was definitely the hit of the night with Tommy...
shocking, I know, Tommy immediately started talking and singing loudly into his new mic!
I just liked this one because I caught Tommy in a funny face :)
I'll be here all night guys!
Time for night night!
We had a really wonderful Christmas Eve, and the wonder carried right over into Christmas morning. The boys got to have a sneak preview of Daddy's present to Mommy, while I was getting the food prepared.
Look how content Davey looks with his boys in his arms <3
Wow, nice hair Tommy!
Smiles from Ethan and Davey, but I've been spotted by Tommy!
The boys were so excited to see Granny Jan, Grandma, Granddaddy, Goggi, Aunt Becky and Uncle Steven pop through the door in the morning! We were so sad that Papa Bill couldn't make it, but he was tending to more important matters like taking care of his Mom. Once everyone arrived, we had ourselves a little breakfast feast :)
Merry Christmas breakfast buffet!
Pumpkin chocolate chip cookies and paleo chocolate coffee balls :)
oh yeah, and 2 plates of BACON!!!
A few white chocolate and peppermint cupcakes :)
Some GIANT sugar cookies that Santa kindly left-over for us ;)
Mild Italian, Hot Italian, and Spicy Thai Chicken Sausage
Apple and Cherry pies
Coffee and OJ in festive mugs and juice glasses
Eat up Granny!
Grandma in her cute holiday sweater :)
After breakfast, it was time for the real fun--more presents!!
Ethan randomly hopping on Daddy-horse for a pre-present opening ride!
The Cat in the Hat knows a lot about that!
We enjoyed having Uncle Steven join in the mix this year!
Ethan getting a hand from Goggi to open his favorite present--more plastic animals!
Oh boy--some sports PJ's!
"Toy Story 3, Toy Story 3, Toy Story 3"
Granddaddy and Tommy <3
Foosball!!!!
Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells, Jingle all the way!
Aunt Becky and Steven with their new wine glasses :)
Steven, they don't come fully loaded my friend!
I LOVE this picture--you two look so happy!
Tommy really got into the present opening this year, and it was just so fulfilling to see everyone having such a wonderful time. We ended the morning with my present, the annual "year in review" video that Davey makes for me. It is below, but be warned--it is 18 minutes long (although I think every second is totally worth it!!).
After cleaning up a little from the mornings festivities, we headed on over to Goggi and Papa Bill's house for Christmas with the Catchings' side of the family! After Tommy let Papa Bill borrow his hat, he and Ethan headed straight for the piano to bring Christmas cheer for all to hear ;)
Hmmm....not sure that's the best look for you....
That's much better--Papa Suave
The boys banging away on those piano keys!
Cheese Ethy :)
Tommy during his solo act!
Is Tommy reading some sheet music?!
Ethan isn't convinced!
After all of that exhausting piano playing, and maybe a little due to the morning's excitement, Papa Bill sat down with the boys for a little snuggle-buggle before naptime, while Goggi finished her last minute preparations!
Roasted balsamic Brussels sprouts with cranberries--yum yum!
Tommy and Papa Bill <3
Ethan decided to make himself comfortable :)
relaxing with the boys :)
Once the boys were down for nap, we all sat down to a really beautiful meal in the dining room. It was kind of nice to be all crowded around the table talking and laughing--a bit like a scene from a cheesy lifetime Christmas movie really!! After dinner, and a little much-needed coffee, we all gathered around for the final frenzy of present opening!
Present-mania!!!
Honeysuckle wants in on the action!
Presents, presents, presents
Goggi helping Ethan pick out another one!
haha, I love this one satisfied look in the midst of all the chaos
Grandmother and Granny looking joyful as they watched everyone's smiling faces
Goggi, Davey,and Ethan
Brenda, Sarah, and Nate showing their holiday cheer!
Granny and Granpapa
Tommy playing with some new matchbox cars
Papa Bill, Aunt Becky, and Tommy playing with his new pirate ship!
Aunt Sarah and Uncle Natey
Ethan playing with more animals!
Becky giving Ethan a sweet look :)
And, here's one for Tommy :)
The boys playing with their loot!
No pushing Aunt Becky!! ;)
No head squeezing Uncle Steven!! ;)
Tommy playing with some cool utensils that Uncle Nate and Aunt Sarah got him to go with a construction place mat and plate!
Davey and Steven keeping it real...NOT!
The guys enjoying a chat about guy stuff...aka video games and computer stuff I don't get!
So, as you can plainly see, it was a very Merry Christmas for our family!! We are so incredibly blessed, and we're so thankful for the best gift of all, Jesus, whose birth is the reason for our celebrations.
Life Lesson: The Greatest Gift of All
I figure almost everyone is at least aware that Christmas is intended to signify the birthday of Jesus of Nazareth. But, why do we give gifts to each other? Well, in one sense, it can be viewed as one giant birthday party where we all receive gifts on Jesus' behalf to show each other the love that He has shown us. But, I'd like to take that concept a step further. The great love that He has shown us is the gift of Himself. He died to atone for our sins, so that there would be no divide between God and our sinful selves. He is the bridge that spans that massive gap. By believing in Jesus as our Savior and the one and only Son of God, we are given the most amazing and never-ending gift of salvation--eternal life in communion with our Father and with Jesus. It is such a simple thing to do--receiving a wondrous gift that we don't even deserve, yet so many choose not to accept it. My friends and family, I urge you to do so now if you have not done so before. The only requirement for Heaven is truly believing in Jesus, the greatest gift of all.
