Winter Coats & Breakfast with Santa

This week has been BURRRR chilly outside and we have had to seriously bundle up!  Had to bring out the BIG winter coats everyday when we went out.  The other day we were getting ready to leave to go somewhere and Riley just parked it right in front of the door.  I quickly asked Reid to sit next to him and snapped a few quick shots before Riley-Roo was off!  

This morning our neighborhood golf club had a little breakfast with Santa and we thought it would be fun to take the boys this year.  Reid's at the perfect age to enjoy all this fun Christmassy stuff! He was super excited when we told him we were going to have breakfast with Santa!  The bad part was, as we were eating, he wanted to know when Santa was going to come eat with us!  Poor guy.  Guess we should have explained that one a little better before we got there!

Riley sat so calmly with 'ole St. Nick and didn't get upset at all!

They had a few tables full of little crafts for the kids to do after they ate breakfast.  Reid loved this!

And here we are at the end and someone is ready for their nap!

We had a great time today at the breakfast, ate some great food, and enjoyed just being with our boys! Reid is so cute when he sees Santa and he told him he wants a garbage truck and trashcans for Christmas.  We'll see what the jolly old man brings! He's makin' his list and checkin' it twice! Gonna find out if our boys have been naughty or nice! 

Next up.... Santa & his elves parachuted out of an airplane tonight! 

 

Santa comin' in on a jet plane

On Saturday, we (me & the boys) made a trip to the airforce base to see Santa come in on a jet. When Rod told me about this last week, I knew it was something we had to do.  Reid was going to be thrilled to one, go to the base and see Daddy, and two, see Santa come in on a plane.  Wow!  What could be better on a Saturday in December??!!

Santa's jet being taxi-ed in. 

Waiting to see who was gonna get off that plane!

I think he was just a wee bit excited to see Santa!

This was a really well organized event that the AF base does every year.  So precious for the kids!

Reid opening his present from Santa

Santa gave Riley-Roo a cute Melissa & Doug puzzle.

Reid & Riley with sweet Santa.  LOVE Riley's face.  He's not quite sure what to think of  'ole Santa there! 

 

 

This was such a fun day for the boys (especially Reid).  He loved every minute of going to the base to see Daddy and then getting to see Santa come off that jet plane.  He was thrilled! It was a rainy day, but none of us cared, because we were just so excited to see the look on Reid's face when he saw Santa.  It was a really neat event that the airforce base in Ft. Worth puts on every year with the kids and this was the perfect year to do it. They have games, coloring, and cookies for the kids while they're waiting for their name to be called to sit in Santa's lap.  Santa hands them their gifts and what a treat that was for Reid!  He was such a sweet man and let them sit their as long as they wanted. Riley-Roo wasn't quite sure what to think of the jolly old guy, but he did great.  This is a wonderful memory for Reid and I'm sure we'll be doing it again next year!   Merry Christmas and let the fun begin!

 

Trimming the Tree 2011

Reid has been all about ALL the little holiday traditions since we started talking about it.  As soon as he knew we were putting up the tree, he wanted every part of it.  Normally I would put on the lights, the garland I have, and then the ribbon.  Reid was SO excited about hanging ornaments, there was no stopping him and I didn't mind one bit!  He opened every ornament I so carefully wrap up each year and was enthralled to see what was in each piece of tissue paper.  He adored hanging up each one and let me tell you, I enjoyed watching him just as much as he enjoyed hanging them!  We don't have near as many lights on the tree this year and the ornaments are mostly all in one place, but I really don't give a hoot!  This year and from now on, this tree is for my boys.  I love it. 

He enjoyed this part more than anything. It was like a "mini" Christmas when he opened each ornament!

Reid so proud of himself and the ornaments he hung.  :)

Love this one of Riley drinking his milk adorned with Christmas lights.

Our little investigator

Those 2 are up to no good!

After all the Christmas decorating, I couldn't help myself and busted out their Christmas monkey pj's.  :)  That way they can enjoy them all season long, right?

I am loving Christmas this year-- especially with Reid.  He seems to really "get" it and is just so excited about every little thing we are doing.  He can't wait to come down each morning and find the elf and he wants to move the ornaments around on the tree any chance he gets. He asks me almost every day, "Mommy, how many more days till December?" We have a countdown going.  So cute!  It's so fun to watch his excitement & see the joy on his sweet little face.   I can't wait to start doing fun Christmas stuff with he & Riley this next month.  What a fun season this is going to be! 

Christmas lights

Reid helped me put up the Christmas tree on Saturday while Riley napped.  We were still putting lights on when he woke up and it was so fun to get Riley in on the action.  He didn't much care for the lights around his neck.... there were a few tears, but we got a few good ones before the melt downs happened.  

Love Christmas and SO loving this time of year with Reid at his age.  He is SOOOO excited about all the fun traditions we are doing and can't wait for each day to wake up & see what shelf that elf will be on!

Thanksgiving 2011

Reid & his cousin Mary-McKinley

Rod & his Dad

My sweet boys... Reid insisted on taking his guitar to the farm for T-giving this year.  He's got his two favorite things... a guitar and standing by a John Deere tractor.  What more is there to life? :)

Reid, Riley and all their cousins getting ready for the hay ride.

Love these faces.... Riley: "Why am I on this hay?"  Reid: "I must make a silly face in front of the camera!"

 

Hay riding down the country roads!

What can I say.... AM . IN . LOVE . WITH . THIS . FACE.

Sweet moments with Daddy & Riley-Roo

The fam before the big turkey feast. 

My sister-in-law & I took turns taking pictures.  :)

Reid is having a ball singing and pretending to drive Grandpa's John Deere!

Reid, Monroe, Riley, Mary-McKinley, & Madison

Happy Thanksgiving 2011

We had a nice Thanksgiving, but it wasn't quite the one we expected.  Riley woke up in the middle of the night at the farm on Wednesday night and would not go back to sleep (I think he got cold and then was awake and just wouldn't sleep).  We were all in the same room and after 30-45 minutes of crying, he managed to wake Reid up.  He had been awake for 1.5 hours and we couldn't get him to sleep.  Needless to say, none of us were sleeping at 2am.  We decided it was best to just drive home.  So that we did, at 2:20 am, we were driving down pitch black, dark, 2 lane country roads.  We made it home by 3:40 and had everyone back in bed by 4am.  We got up the next day (Thanksgiving) and made another attempt to drive up to the farm.  We decided to chance it & stay another night.  It was a much better night!  Thank goodness! 

Thursday we went on a hay ride with all the cousins, the boys' Aunt & Uncle, and me & Rod.  Grandpa pulled us on his John Deere tractor.  It was a lot of fun!  We sang Christmas carols and tried to keep Riley from crawling over side of the trailer.  :) 

 We had a wonderful meal that evening and we all went to bed exhausted!  

Thank you for a wonderful few days at the farm and the boys had a ball with their cousins!  

We are very thankful for all our blessings and for our precious family!

Oreo Turkeys

Reid & I made a fun little turkey craft tonight that my mother-in-law sent to me.  It looked easy enough, but as you've probably experienced before... these things always look easier than they are in reality!  It was fun and Reid really enjoyed it... especially the eating part!  

The ingredients... Oreos, candy corn, Reese's peanut butter cups, whoppers, red, yellow & chocolate gel.  Except we ended up using chocolate icing to hold everything in place.  The chocolate gel didn't quite cut it!

Inserting the candy corn feathers.

Must eat candy while making the turkey.  Of course!

Carefully assembling Mr. Oreo Turkey.  He did quite well! 

Adding the eyes

Mommy helping him draw some feet.

Making a candy corn nose.

Voila!  Isn't he the cutest oreo turkey you've ever laid your eyes on?

 

Reid is all ready to eat the cute little bird. 

He loved every minute from making the little bird to putting it down his little belly.  These are a must repeat for next year for sure! 

Happy Thanksgiving and thank you Nana for the fun idea!