Christmas is a Time for Memories and Family!

Christmas is always a favorite time around our house, and it wasn't any different this year. I love that the boys (especially Abram) are getting old enough to remember and look forward to our traditions. They always ask me, "when are we going to this?" or "remember when we did this last year, are we doing that again this year?" I just love it! I love celebrations and making life special and its even better when they get excited with me!

Our Christmas season started off on the Saturday right after Thanksgiving and Chris and I decided it was time for Jack and Luke to experience Home Depot for the first time. They did great. I loved how each one made their gingerbread differently and they even took them to show and tell at their preschool. They were so proud of them!

The following weekend we left early Saturday morning for Cocoa Beach! It was December 1st, so before we left I gave them their December 1st gift. It always includes Christmas pajamas and a little seasonal treat. This year I gave them a light up necklace of Christmas lights. While in Cocoa Beach we swam and played at the hotel's water park but in the evening the boys wore their pajamas and we went to see Christmas lights! 

Abram has an amazing music teacher at his school this year. This December the school did a holiday show. It was so fun! They even sang some of their Christmas songs in Spanish. 

Some other fun things we did was watch the Grinch for our movie night and of course they wore their pajamas and we went to see the ZooLights at the Jacksonville Zoo. We all enjoyed seeing those lights and the zoo at night. Another treat this year was that I finally decided upon Abram's first Christmas ornament. Now, I know this is his fifth Christmas with us, but I couldn't find the one I liked. I'm so glad I waited. This one is perfect!! And now, we can hang Jack and Luke's first Christmas ornaments on the tree, too! And finally, Abram's cleft clinic did their yearly Christmas party at Adventure Landing. I took the boys and I would have to say my favorite part is when Jack took Santa's hat off and then Santa let Jack wear it. 

ZooLights!

I just love it. It's so sweet!

Hilarious! And such a fun Santa!

Of course our most favorite part of the season was when Gram, Granddaddy, Aunt Julie, Uncle Jamie, Cade and Ella pulled up to our house on December 23rd. We just love it when they come spend Christmas with us!! All the cousins have a blast. Its so fun to see them all together. 

They got here just in time for our neighborhood's Luminaria. It was so fun to walk it with them this year!

Cousin time. Nothing better!

Playing kickball in the park on Christmas Eve. We had a blast!

And of course our favorite tradition of decorating Christmas cookies. This year was great because Jack and Luke joined us. Usually they sit on someones lap or we do it while they are napping, but this year they had a blast decorating (and eating, too).  We had a wonderful time! We laugh at all the crazy cookies we make, we laugh because we have had too much sugar and we laugh because we do more eating and decorating. It is great!

The finished product with all the cousins!

Last year when everyone came down we went to Disney World the day after Christmas. That was super fun, but we didn't need all that craziness this year. So, we loaded up and headed to St. Augustine for the day. It was perfect! Beautiful weather, we climbed around the fort and up a lighthouse and didn't have to fight any crowds. We loved our time together!

In front of the fort

My favorite picture from the season!

On top of the lighthouse

Christmas morning was amazing as usual. It is so wonderful to have a house full of all your favorite people enjoying such a special season. This year before we tore into gifts we read the book, "The Christmas Promise." It was just perfect! 

Cade helped with the turkey!

Aunt Julie gave Jack a police costume. As soon as he figured out what it was he said, "This is what I've always wanted." The best!!

And... our yearly Candy Cane Hunt. Its just like hunting Easter eggs, but with candy canes. We send Chris, Jamie and Cade out to hide them then Ella, Abram, Jack and Luke go find them. They love it and it's so easy!

We had an absolutely amazing time with our family this year. Chris and I feel so honored that they load up and come see us.  We LOVE having a house full of family. Its crazy, loud, busy and messy but we would not trade it for the world. We make such precious memories!

One last Christmas picture of the grandparents with their grands...

One last breakfast together... I just love this big table that we could all fit around. 

And one last picture of all the cousins. 

A Double Stuffed Oreo, Spiderman and Two Pilots

I usually don't do a blog post just for Halloween, but we had such a fun season with cute costumes, I just had to! We celebrated lots by going to a friend's Halloween party, Trunk or Treating and of course trick or treating. We had several opportunities to get dressed up and the boys loved it!

First I have to brag about my pumpkin donuts. They were yummy and so festive! Instead of frosting they had cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on them, but I think next time I'll do a cream cheese icing.

The boys had a pumpkin patch at their preschool and one day at school they took professional pictures. So cute! 

Of course we had to go back as a family and get our pumpkin and take some pictures with Abram. 

Our Little Pumpkins

Luke loved this blue pumpkin!

Abram thought it was so funny when Chris put a pumpkin on his head. 

Sweet boys, each holding the pumpkin they picked out. 

The Saturday before Halloween we went to a friend's Halloween and costume party. It was so much fun! We took guacamole and queso in a pumpkin. It was a hit! I thought the boys looked so cute and Chris and I went as a double stuffed oreo!

The Sunday before Halloween we had our neighborhood's annual costume parade and then we went to the boys' school for Trunk or Treat. They loved seeing their teachers all dressed up. 

Jack's absolute favorite teacher, his music teacher, Ms. Gwen. 

Sharing cotton candy! 

None of our boys really like carving pumpkins. We made them stick their hand in, and Chris finished it. 

The finished product! 

We had a super fun Halloween! Already thinking about what we can be next year, while we are enjoying our candy!!

Abram's 7th Birthday Party

As I was typing the title for this blog post, I just can't believe it. I can't believe Abram is 7. Its just crazy to me! This was Abram's year for a party... he has waited two years for a party and he was just thrilled. We decided to do a Nerf Gun party with all of his friends since we have a fun park right across the street from our house. It was a blast!!

He was ready! Gun, birthday shirt, safety googles,  and face paint!

The boys at the party. I just love this picture and how each one posed!

Loading up! We got 400 darts for the party!

Jack and Luke were so excited for the party and to hang out with the big boys!

Luke didn't quite know what to do with the guns and shooting.

Shooting the cans on the ladder...

Aiming for  the bullseyes! 

Papa showing Abram how to aim.

Trying to shoot the cups.

Target practice

And then we had the Nerf War!
Listening to the directions...

Making a plan

The boys had a blast hiding and shooting!

And the cupcakes! 

We had such an amazing time with our friends. We are so very blessed to have them come over and celebrate our sweet boy! I just love planning and throwing parties for our boy. It brings me such joy to see his excitement!