Christmas Day 2013

Christmas day was nice and relaxing.

We woke up with the boys and enjoyed watching them find their gifts from Santa.

For lunch we headed out to my great aunt's house.

OMG the food was amazing.

The boys had fun and we all did too!

Once home we had a lazy afternoon.

We eventually opened family gifts.

When we asked Griffin which gift was his favorite.

His answer was "all of them."

It is so fun to give to a child who really loves everything that he receives.

I pray that this quality stays with him in life.

I didn't take many photos, but the ones that I have I really love...

Santa left a letter for the boys.

slurp...

Cuddling with my boy that first called me momma...

Doesn't this look like a fun bunch?!?

Roman and Satch.
Gah....

Satch and Cohen

Thinking back on Christmas 2013 I have such sweet, sweet memories...

Christmas Eve 2013

This year was my favorite Christmas ever. 

We had a great time with Live.Give.Love. leading into the main event.

The birth of Jesus Christ.

We had some of our extended family over on Christmas Eve.

What started out as an ordinary night turned into so much more.

We were paid a very special visit by Santa Clause.

The kids had so much fun!  

It is so fun to experience Christmas through the eyes of the child!

After Santa left Griffin took over the evening.

He had a song list written for all to sing.

He led Christmas carols and we all joined in.

How can you not smile and have a good time right?

We rounded out the night with our Christmas Eve tradition.

The Cajun Night before Christmas read by MiMi.

(and a little help from Griffin too)

Here is a few highlights of our evening:

What a special guest at the front door.
Santa!!!

Look at their smiles.
Such JOY!

So one person wasn't thrilled to see the guy in the red suit.
Cohen...

Our family with Santa.

Santa had to run.
He had a night full of stops and we are thankful we were one of them!

Such a magical moment...

The Cajun Night before Christmas read by MiMi.

After our guests left the boys slipped into their Christmas jammies.
They set out cookies and milk for Santa.
They also said their final good byes to Lefty as he was catching
a ride back to the North Pole with Santa.

This Christmas eve will be very hard to top.

Merry Christmas to all...

and to all a good night!

Christmas train

One of Kenton's fondest childhood memories is his Christmas train.

Every year his dad would set up a train for he and his brother.

He has adopted the same tradition with our boys.

The boys all gather around and set up our train.

I love to watch the boys as they get this annual treat.

The train is so special because it only comes out for Christmas. 

Cohen was so much fun to watch.

He was SUPER excited as he sat with the big boys and watched the train circle the track.

He was squealing with excitement.

These moments are so special.

I am thankful to have photographs and video to remind me of these special times.

Thankful 2013

This year we had a very low key Thanksgiving.  

It was just our family at home with MiMi and Pop.

We had a delicious meal and followed our tradition of decorating for Christmas after lunch.

The boys (especially Roman) were super excited about decorations this year.

He ran out and showed me squealing as he pulled out every single ornament.

I want to burn that into my brain.

I love the excitement that our kids add to our lives.

Beautiful and precious memories...

The spread

This bowl comes with so many wonderful memories.
It belonged to my grandmother.
She always used this bowl for her potato salad and her potato salad was THE BEST.
My mom's potato salad tastes just about the same as her mother's.
I love when the boys help out in making the potato salad.
Ties together so many beautiful memories.

Griff saying what he is thankful for.
How I love that little indian.

Thanksgiving 2012

I've been thinking a lot this week about things that I am grateful for.

I am truly grateful for it all.

I serve a God who has blessed me with this life that I do not deserve.

I have a husband who adores me and our children.

I have beautiful healthy children who are mostly good. :)

I have parents who support me.  They have given to me unselfishly and love me unconditionally.

I have a brother who lives a life filled with adventure and is always willing to lend a helping hand when around.

I have a wonderful group of friends who are there for me in both good times and bad.

Life is good, and for that I am grateful...

We enjoyed Thanksgiving day at our home with our family.

After lunch the girls got busy decorating the house for Christmas.  

Erika has now helped us decorate 3 years.

I will give her the title "lead decorator."

She is such a lovely gal with a kind and gentle spirit.

She is also blessed in the height department and reaches the top of the tree which is an added bonus!

A bunch of turkeys hanging out around the turkey.

The boys.

Tio John and Cohen.
My boys just think the world of Tio.

Cohen checking out the food.
"Ma when will I be able to get some food?"

Santa 1, Santa 2 and the Elf.

Tio and Griff enjoying a friendly Angry Bird competition.

The tree and front door is gorgeous this year!

Kenton has fond childhood memories of enjoying a Christmas train with his Dad and Brother.

He has carried along the tradition with his boys.

This is something that they look forward to every year.

Kenton picked up a new train this year to share with the boys.

Look at Roman's expression.

I so love watching Christmas through the eyes of my children.

It is so magical...

I love this picture.
So much goodness captured in this one shot.

Cohen may be small, but still wants in on the action.

I love the look of joy on all of their faces.

I especially love that Griff wore the Santa hat the entire time.
That's my boy!

"Hey Ma, does this hat make my ears look big?"

This child is filled with such sunshine.

Thanksgiving was a lovely day shared with those closest to my heart.

What a perfect way to kick off the holiday season!

through the eyes of a child~ Christmas day. A visit from Santa and a visit to urgent care

The BIG day finally arrived~ Christmas morning! Griffin had everyone out of bed at 6:30am to get this glorious day started! He received lots of practice opening gifts on Christmas Eve so he was ready to face Christmas morning with full force! We all jumped out of bed because we all wanted to capture the pure joy of Christmas morning through a child's eyes...

Santa was very good to the boys. It must have been because he received such glowing reviews from Lefty the Elf! (I told Lefty that he really should take notes.) Looks like Lefty the OPTIMISTIC Elf will have to join us again next year! Santa did not actually give Griffin the train, but was kind enough to set it up for him to play with.

Griffin LOVING his train from Nona Courtney! Roman also LOVES to demolish the track. Good times!!
Roman enjoying his first Christmas morning with MiMi Kat.
All of my boys in new toy overload!
Roman and Daddy-O.
My precious baby... Looking back I did not get any pictures of Roman opening his gifts. Big brother took such pleasure in opening BOTH his and little brothers presents. I'm sure Roman will not be so generous next year. :)
Roman in action. This little guy is quick. He stole a moment with Griffin's car hauler.
I love to see my boys playing together...
Daddy-O, Roe-ski, and Griff having a de-briefing in the Buzz tent. I have a feeling that many important decision will be made in this tent!
We had a brief intermission with a visit to an urgent care clinic. Griff was in need of medicine. His Pediatrician was closed on Christmas Eve (Friday), Christmas Day (Saturday), and Sunday. I felt like Monday was too long to wait so we made a little pit stop. Before we left Griff gathered an arm full of his new loot! Once there to continue in the spirit of things he tried to unwrap the "fake" gifts under the tree.
He was such a good boy and cooperated with the nurse and doctor~ he was an awesome little patient. He cried through an antibiotic shot, but was sweet enough to wish everyone farewell at the end of the visit. "Bye-bye dok-ta." Oh yeah, and while were there Kenton got a flu shot too! I sure hope my husband and precious child forgive me for shots on Christmas!! Can you say Mommy Dearest?!?
Now back home again. We enjoyed a delicious lunch of gumbo, potato salad, baked ham, shrimp pasta, sweet potato casserole, and corn casserole. After our food settled we went back to opening family gifts. Picture slacker strikes again. Miss I don't miss a picture EVER had a moment. Of all days to miss pictures... Christmas. Geesh!

Hanging out in the Buzz tent with MiMi.
Just like any awesome super-hero~ a personalized cape. Don't hate... even Satch was a tad jealous!
Satch hitting his best super-hero pose. Work it Daddy-O!
I love it~ here is Roman sneaking a little more un-interrupted play time with Griff's toys.
I enjoyed Christmas 2010 to the fullest and I'm pretty sure that my boysies did too. We are so blessed to have shared this special holiday with those nearest and dearest to us. Much love to Big Poppa, MiMi Kat, and Tio John for spending the day with us! (and the sweet nurse, and random Dr. too...)