Christmas 2009

Our annual Christmas Eve tradition of putting together a gingerbread house.Ethan's stashing away candy pieces.

Putting out the reindeer food...and Santa's cookies

playing with Mommy and Daddy's Christmas Eve dinner--lobster.

Bright and early (5:30 am) on Everett's first Christmas. Ethan didn't get up til almost 9am...just about the time Everett was ready for a nap.Ethan checking out his Lionel train. The video clip of him when he came down the steps and first saw it was priceless, but way too long to download here. When he saw it, he screamed "YESSSSSSS!!!!"

Everett really enjoyed all the excitement, and even tried to open some of his presents before big brother got to them.

My Dad came to visit around 10am, and stayed the night. We thoroughly enjoyed having him here to watch the boys open their presents.

The boys playing with the train. Well, Ethan was covering them with balloon snakes in this picture, but pretty much did play with the train all day long. The house smelled like caustic train smoke the whole weekend!

Santa did good!

Roy's mother and Jake came down with the mother-load of gifts for the boys. Ethan got a cool Lightning McQueen bike. Although we didn't even put it together, he insisted on wearing his helmet and knee and elbow pads around the house most of the evening.

What a fabulous Christmas!! We can't wait for next year!

December 2009

In November I decided to have Ethan try out Tae Kwon Do, thinking it would teach him self-discipline, confidence, respect, yada yada... For 3 months (2-3 times a week), Ethan would scream and cry through nearly the entire class. This is when I realized just how much Ethan's auditory sensitivities bother him. He would be okay til everyone started yelling "HI-YA" when they punched and kicked. Amazing that such a noisy child could be so sensitive to noise! Finally this month, he has begun to show signs of gaining confidence, and he no longer needs me to sit right next to him on the mat. I've even been able to sit in a chair a couple times! I guess sometimes perseverence does pay off! Ethan and I worked on a Christmas craft...a gum drop topiary. It took WAY longer than I expected, but Ethan hung in there and helped me finish it (4 days and 4 bags of gum drops later!). Who says these 2 don't look alike??

Waiting for the Christmas portraits to be taken
The photo shoot plum wore Everett out!
I just love baby feet
Ethan decided to share one of his toys with Everett....a saw! I guess he doesn't really understand the meaning of "baby proofing".
Helping Daddy check the Christmas tree lights.

Our annual Christmas stocking pic

Overseeing the decorating of the Christmas tree Everett liked the tinsel the best
I don't get any respect! Sam would sleep through anything!
What an action-shot!

All three boys admiring the tree when we finished

Such a lazy lab! We went to the "Breakfast with Santa" at the Chickahominy Fire Department again this year. Ethan had a blast checking out the fire engine!

Everett wasn't at all scared of Santa...I guess that will be next year!

Last year Ethan asked for "a dinosaur and a dragon". This year it was a "real train with smoke coming out."

Ah, just gotta love him!
Waiting for Santa to come by the house on the fire engine. It was a COLD night. Everett didn't last too long. He and Mommy went back inside for a warm bath, leaving Ethan and Daddy to wave to Santa as he passed by.

Ethan and our neighbor Grant waiting patiently for Santa."Here he comes!"

I helped out with Ethan's preschool Christmas party. Here he is making reindeer food with his teacher, Mrs. Smith.

Ethan doing a craft with Mrs. Close

doing sign language while singing

Ethan's class

Our first big snow of the season. We got 14 inches total! Everett's first time seeing snow...he wasn't very impressed!...but Ethan sure does love it!

catching snowflakes

baking gingerbread cookies with Daddy

That's dedication! Grilling out in the biggest snow this area has had in a decade!

He may be old, but Sam still loves the snow.

Mush!Ethan's snow angel...complete with halo!

getting hit by Daddy's snowball

Oh, the dreaded posed picture! "Everett, look at me...Ethan, smile....Sit still!..come on Ethan, look at me....stop choking your baby brother!....Everett, look here........" "...sit up straight Ethan....look at me...smile for goodness sake!!!"
"Now was that so hard?!"

We were closed up in the house for nearly a week, but finally when the snow melted, I eagerly got the kids dressed up to go to the store...but the car battery was dead! Determined to do something other than watch t.v. all day, we headed to the playground in our community. It wasn't too cold, but with the 20 mph winds, it was downright frigid. I think Everett got a touch of frostbite on his nose and cheeks.

getting some lovin's from Mama

...and some tickles from big brother