The big Surprise!

My sister called and asked us if we could be at her house at 4:30 on a Thursday for a "surprise for the boys". So of course we did, and the surprise was better than I could imagine. A stretch limo pulled into the driveway!

We strapped the boys in and we were off to look at the lights they set up in the parks around the state.

We started with lighthouse point, were Clint and I were married. The favorite light sets were the trains, trucks, and cars.

After lighthouse point, we hit a local burger king to use the bathroom. while we were there, we hit the drive through, which was hysterical. We pulled up to the window and all the people at the drive through could see was me and the two kids in their car seats. Everyone who worked there came to see. It was pretty funny....

We hit Hubbard park after Burger king for some more lights and then grabbed some order out pizza for dinner. It was an amazing night in the "machine" as Jack calls it. I can say for sure that my first limo ride was to a wedding, when I was in my 20s. My boys certainly are SPOILED by their awesome family!

Christmas

We had a great Christmas this year. After our awesome trip on the Polar Express, everyone was all geared up for Santa Clause! So Christmas Eve we went over to my parents house for some homemade Lobster Ravioli that we actually made ourselves. It was fantastic! After that we opened up our Christmas Eve present, Jammies!

Here are the boys in their new jammies getting ready for bed.

After the jammies, we all sat down to watch Rudolph before bed.
We then came home and put the cookies, milk and carrots out for Santa and his reindeer. It turns out Santa did some by the house and he left some great presents for the boys. They got this awesome little table. Santa even left a note on the table wishing the boys a merry Christmas. No matter how many times we told Ev that some of the presents were from Mommy and daddy, he wouldn't believe us. He was adamant that Santa brought everything and was thrilled that he came.

After they opened their stockings, we had a quick breakfast, and then went off to church. After church we had a real breakfast, played with our new toys, and then took a quick nap. After naps we went back over to my parents to see everyone for Christmas. We opened some more gifts from Grammi, Pappa and Uncle Danny and Aunt Claudia. Here are the boys all dressed up in their nice church clothes.
Playing a new game with Auntie Claudia.

The favorite presents by far were these flying monkeys.

And also some recordable books that Uncle Danny and Aunt Claudia made for them.

It was a great year now that Everett understood what was happening a little bit more. It was so much fun to see how happy both the boys were.

Polar Express

So as luck would have it, a friend of a friend of a friend got sick on the 23rd and couldn't use her tickets to the polar express. Terrible for them, but great for us. So Grammi, Everett, Jack and I climbed aboard the Polar Express for an awesome pre-Christmas trip to the North Pole.

The inside of the train was decorated with all kinds of Christmas lights and Sammy Snowflake was in our car to entertain us on the long trip up to the North Pole.

Here is Grammi and the boys at the beginning of our adventure.



I think Everett was excited!

Here is Jack with Sammy the Snowflake during one of his musical numbers.

Jack still talks about the "polpress" and how he danced on the train.

So after some games, caroling, music, and dancing, the kids got served some hot chocolate by some of Santa's helpers.

And then some cookies.

And then we met Santa!!! who gave each of the boys a little present.

It was a great trip and the boys loved it! I think we might have a new Christmas tradition.

Christmas in New York

We did our annual trip to New York to get ready for Christmas. The picture below is actually of the Bronx zoo which we hit up on Monday. The following Sunday, we made the tek to Manhattan for some Christmas Spirit.We met up Katie and Paul in New York and took the train into the city. Jack kept calling it Thomas and Everett called it the Polar Express. We hit up the usual spots. Rockafeller Plaza and the tree from 5th avenue.



St. Patrick's Cathedral.

Macy's.

I think it tuckered the little guy out. He didnt even get a chance to tuck his bum bum in before he fell asleep.

Christmas in Annapolis

We made it down to Annapolis for Christmas with the Millers early in December. While the weather was chilly, it was fun to cozy up and celebrate with family. Here are a few pics of the festivities.

Everett and Dixie decorating the tree.

Everett and Danielle helping Dixie out.

Clint made Danielle and Ed a table for their house for x-mas.

Here is jack with his favorite gift, Thomas.

Grandma

Grandma and Jack snoodling.

Reading some new books that Santa brought.

Aunt Danielle and Uncle Ed got the boys a ride on McQueen. Despite the cold, they rode it around and loved it!

Pappa Miller helping Everett out with some wrapping paper.

It was a great visit, but as always, too short. Merry Christmas to all!

An Awesome early Christmas

My best Christmas gift didn't come in a package or a bow; it came in a minivan this year! Our two beautiful nieces made the trip up from South Carolina and WE HAD A BLAST. Here are a few of my favorite pictures.

Clare spent the first night at our house. She and Delilah really hit it off.

In the morning, we did a few projects.

Followed by a bath.


And a rousing game of Hungry Hungry Hippos. Doesn't that bring back memories.

After that we went over to the neighbors to check out the chickens.

And Clare found an egg!!

We all got dressed up and went over to Gammy and Pappa's house. How adorable is this bunch?

We got in some good family time and some good cuddles.

So did Grammy and Pappa.

We got in a lot of play time too.

Some extended family came over as well and we had a blast with our Uncles, Aunts and Cousins (none pictured because apparently I only take pictures of those below the 4 foot mark). Here is my Cousins little boy, Nolan.

Aunt Sarah was able to tame the beasts, and everything was pretty calm (although Pappi may beg to differ).

Uncle Danny and Aunt Claudia came over as well and we did an early Christmas for the kids.

Clare and Caroline got a sweet dress up set. Here is a picture of the "bride before her wedding". Her words, not mine. I think she looks a bit more "Material Girl" than "Bride", but hey...

And here is sweet Caroline in her tiara. Adorable!

Uncle Tad and Clare reading some stories to the boys. Please note the footwear.

Of all the gifts, the large box was the favorite. Everett and Clare spent hours in it just reading and talking.

After the oh so sad departure of my favorite little girls, our fam got together with some other adorable little girls (and some other great friends). We caught them kissing after dinner....Uh Oh!

It all tired the boys and Delilah out.