Ghosts of Christmas Pasts

The excitement of Christmas is tangible around here!  Most conversations with my boys are centered around the many questions they have about Christmas traditions.
Today Ethan was a little concerned that Santa may not bring him a remote control helicopter.  In an attempt to persuade him that a helicopter is probably better for kids a little older than him, I told him that sometimes Santa knows even better what toy we would like.  I then started telling the boys about how I received a doll every year for Christmas.

A few of my faves!

I told them about some of my favorites and even found pictures of them online.  Then I proceeded to tell them about a Christmas doll tragedy.  When I was about Ethan's age, and my brother Weston was about Caden's age I received a doll that was about as tall as me.  I loved that doll!  A few weeks after Christmas my doll was missing, I found it stuffed down between the wall and my bed.  When I pulled it out I quickly realized my doll was missing its head!!!  Weston had somehow pulled the head off of my doll, and then hid it.  

I must have had some pent up emotion as I told the story because when I looked at the boys I realized Caden was crying and Ethan was horrified!  For about 15 mins. they kept asking again and again why Uncle Weston would have destroyed my Christmas doll!  After realizing that Uncle Weston had just become the world's biggest villain in their minds I tried to teach them a lesson about forgiveness, explain it was okay because he was only 2 or 3 at the time, change the subject, etc.  But they were too distraught!  OPA!  

I finally just had to totally distract them by writing letters to Santa.   

The normal look I see from Quinn when he thinks his family has gone crazy!

I think I'll keep my Christmas memories to myself next time.

Gingerbread House Night

For Family Night Monday we made gingerbread houses with the Herrick family.  Ethan was beyond thrilled to have one of his very favorites over...Stella.

It was a fun and sugar filled night.

Santa Baby

Santa Baby...

Hurry down my chimney tonight!

Snowman Night

The boys really wanted to build a snowman today...but we have no snow.  So we made indoor snowmen out of doughnuts.

Our 3rd annual doughnut snowman night was a delicious success!

3 Sweet Weeks

Today Quinn is 3 weeks old.  There is nothing like a new baby.  His sweet spirit just brings peace into our home, and makes me forget my little worries.  I love watching his constantly changing facial expressions, and take hundreds of pictures of his cute little mug with my phone.  

This week I love how he keeps his legs tucked in tight most of the time, but loves to have his hands and arms stretched out, usually around his face.  I also love his bright eyed expressions where he looks startled or surprised most of the time.

I would be perfectly content just to snuggle and snooze with him all day long!  Unfortunately, these other 2 little buddies need a little attention too...we are still trying to get this all figured out.  If only they would sleep in until 10, it would be perfect around here.  One fun change I've noticed since Quinn was born is how much closer Ethan and Caden are to each other.  Today while I was feeding the baby they were watching Diego and I was watching them.  They were sitting side by side and Ethan would put his arm around Caden on the "scary" parts to comfort him.  Caden kept snuggling into Ethan and saying, "I love you Eshan."  

Lights at Christmas

I hate that it gets dark here at 5:00 pm...the Christmas lights in December make me feel a little better about the early night time.  Our retirement community neighborhood  is quite festive!  After seeing one house (only one house) put out a pumpkin for Halloween I wasn't expecting much at Christmas, but the neighbors have gone all out.
On Sat. Clark ended up spending almost the whole day putting up our lights, not because he put up a huge amount...but because the first set he tried just wouldn't work, even after testing every single bulb.  So the boys ended up heading to Walmart while I was taking a leisurely nap with Quinn.  They came home with new icicle lights and a new "buddy."

This is Caden's new "buddy Frosty."  I've never seen a kid more excited to plug in an inflatable snowman each night!

Clark finally got to the point of putting up the last hook, and all of the lights went out!  It was his Clark Griswold moment!

He had blown a fuse.  After searching and repairing the broken fuse...it happened again!  But now our lights our brightly shining and our buddy adds a cheerful touch to the community!

After wrestling all day with the lights we took Grammy and the boys to Fort Collins to the Botanic Center lights.  They were beautiful.

The boys even got to meet Santa!  Ethan was having a serious little panic attack as we waited in line.  "What should I ask for, what should I say?"  He was so funny, he didn't want to mess up his big moment meeting the big guy.  He reminded me of Ralphie and his Santa moment.

When he finally got up there and Santa asked him what he wanted, he looked at us mournfully and said he just didn't know yet.  Santa assured him that was okay, he could just send him a letter later.  Apparently his Christmas list that consists of:  remote control helicopter, remote control car, remote control mailbox, and batteries isn't really that important!
Then Santa told Ethan he doesn't like peanut butter cookies, and that stressed him out again, he climbed off his lap with an ugggh and a sigh.  Such torture I put him through for a few cute pictures!

Cute Quinn at 2 Weeks

Quinn-
You have been with us 2 weeks and 2 days now!  It is a good thing that you came early because the last 2 weeks have been jam-packed with excitement; your baby blessing, doctor's appointments, a late night trip to the ER (I do not have a DVT), lots of outings with grandparents, I may have even braved Walmart for a few Black Friday deals...the following blog posts will summarize our  fun.
You are the sweetest little guy, and the best baby.  We are too blessed to have such a good baby!  At your 2 week doctor appointment you weighed 8 lbs. 4 oz., and measured 21 inches.  You are a growing boy!  You are a good little eater.  I feel like you look different everyday.
Some of your nicknames are Quineas, Quinny the Pooh, Quinner, and the mighty Quinn.

You love to be snuggled and held.  I love when you take naps snuggling next to me on the couch.  You love to sleep with the Boppy wrapped tight around you.

We call this one the baby burrito.

This was my view earlier tonight.  I love this snoozing baby.

I also love how you flare your nostrils.

We just love you!  We are so glad that you are here and part of our family!  Couldn't imagine life without you!

Chill little buddy.