Christmas Vacation

I can't believe I am already back at work after a great 10 days off! This was by far our best Christmas because both boys were really into Santa this year. Not necessarily sitting on Santa's lap but they love the idea of Santa and like seeing him from a distance!

Christmas Eve:

Christmas Eve was spent at Noni & Pappy's house with JJ and Issa. We had a great time opening gifts and eating Noni's awesome gumbo! Alan got a gift that he has been wanting for YEARS...a Play Station 3! I can't believe we were able to surprise him! This was the Christmas for bikes! Sam and Jake both got a new bike from Noni & Pappy and loved them!

Christmas Day:

Christmas Morning was so much fun! The boys woke up about 7am and when they went into the den they had opposite reactions. I think Sam was still asleep because he just stood and stared for a second but Jake went running to his new Batman Big Wheel Bike. He jumped right on and started to ride it through the other toys that Santa had left for them. Sam then ran to his new Autobot Transformer Bike and jumped on (pictures below of bikes)! Now both boys have bikes at our house and Noni & Pappy's! I think I know what they will be doing once it warms up! They got a lot of other toys from Santa, however I think Santa is a big Batman fan or at least the boys are because they got ALL of the pieces and vehicles that go with their Batman Cave that they already had!

About 8:30am we loaded up and went to Grandma & Poppa's house where the boys got more cool toys (Sam - Optimus Prime Transformer that talks & Jake -Dancing Mickey Mouse). Jake is so funny with his Mickey Mouse. He wasn't sure about it at first but now he loves to push the button and hear Mickey sing and dance but if anyone else in the room dances he points at them and says "No, No, No" like Mickey is the only one allowed to sing and dance. It's hilarious!

About 11:30am we left and headed over to Nanny & Bop's house for Christmas lunch with everyone. We have always given gifts to the cousins however once you get married you are put in the "adult" category. The "adults" decided to change things up a bit this year and do a Dirty/Silly Santa gift and draw names. At Thanksgiving the names were drawn and now it was time to open the gifts! There were all kinds of gifts given from Obama Chia Pets to a Camo Snuggie to an Oregon Ducks t-shirt (just in time for the National Championship Game!) but the funniest gift was the Strawberry cake from Savages. Doesn't sound very funny but when the gift was given to my uncle who works for Edgars it becomes funny! I don't think he expected to open a cake! We had the best time opening the gifts and I think we found a new tradition! Melissa, I have to give you credit for getting the best Dirty/Silly Santa gift!

After Nanny & Bop's house we headed home. Within minutes the boys had our den looking like Toys R Us exploded! They got so many new toys and could not decide what to play with. I let them keep their toys in the den for a week before they had to go to the playroom...I just needed to know I had a floor under all the toys!

I was off work the entire next week which meant lots of time to play with the kids. Tuesday night Mom, Dad, and I took Sam to an Alabama Basketball game. For those that don't know Sam has been calling people "Catfish Bottomfeeders" lately. I'm not sure where this came from but his usual target for this name is Uncle JJ! Well, we took Sam to dinner at Bottomfeeders in Tuscaloosa and we made sure to take a picture of the catfish for JJ!!

The rest of the week was spent resting and playing at the house! On New Years Eve it warmed up enough for the boys to go on a bike ride in the neighborhood! They love their new bikes!

We had a great vacation but I know the boys were both ready to go back to school today (tomorrow for Jake)!