Christmas 2010

Christmas has been awesome so far. We've had a big week, visiting with Betty & Pat and Joe & Liz who were in town and celebrating with the Wood's, the Kolkhorsts and the Nystroms.
Probably Jon and my favorite moment was Christmas morning when Charlie came and got in bed with us. Slowly as he woke up and started thinking about Santa, the conversation started to get more interesting. "Did you hear reindeer on the roof? Did you hear Santa eating cookies? Where do you think Santa is delivering presents now?" Needless to stay we were down the stairs early for us (7:15) and tearing through presents. This year was definitely a blow through anything wrapped in 20 seconds or less, while Will & Matt just enjoyed tearing through the paper whether the presents were theirs or not. Santa brought all the boys pillow pets (Will: Frog, Matt: Monkey, Charlie: Doggie and the younger boys like to call them their "baby." They also got a Cars theme geotrack train and rescue vehicles that have all been a hit. It's been fun and we're thankful for all we have.

Pre opening present distraction: Play duh. Elizabeth & Charlie

Front: Big Charlie, Matt, Elizabeth, Joe, Jane, Charlie, Back: Sally, Will, Jon, Laura, Stacy, Tommy, Betty & Pat

GG Aunt Betty & GG Uncle Pat

A true Hokie is always glad to get a new Hokie shirt: Will

Pre lunch snack, Stacy, Will, Matt, Laura, Sally & Joe

Deep Thoughts: Liz & Joe

Christmas morning: Jon, C, M & W

Matt

Chilling before Christmas

Matt & Will

Matt

C Man

Matt & Will

Matt, Charlie & I'm not so sure I want to be here Will

Snow Day

We had a nice Snow Day yesterday. I had taken the day off, having a little extra PTO this year, and plans to attend the Preschool Christmas Program. However, Mother Nature had different plans. We had a great time making soup, listening to Christmas music, building blocks, going out to play and baking cookies (Peanut Butter with Hershey Kisses, yum!).

Charlie making snow angels (very seriously)

Charlie, Will & Matt getting ready for departure into Snow

Matt making good use of his new snow boots that Santa dropped off early. Thank goodness.

Will & Charlie getting pulled down the street.

Dad pulling Will & Charlie

Matt liked pushing his truck in the snow just as much as in the sand

Will - Where am I?

Christmas Train

This year, I really got it together in July, and bought tickets to the infamous "Christmas Train." I have tried for a couple of years, but they sell out in August! The train ride is put on by the Old Dominion Chapter. The train rides leave from Buckingham Station in Dillwyn, VA where you make a stop to pick up Santa Claus and ride for about 45 minutes. The day started with excitement with our breakfast packed and ready to get out the door at 7:30 to make the 9:30 train. It was freezing cold that day while we waited, but lots of fun to go for a ride.

Will

Matt: Do you think I am excited to ride a choo choo???

Will & Santa Claus (Notice Charlie peeking from behind)

Matt, Charlie & Santa Claus

Matt has his older brother's sweet tooth

as does Will

Charlie, Jon & Will

Buckingham Station, Dillwyn, VA

Tacky Light Tour, year 2

We joined our friends for the tacky light tour last night. This year we graduated to a full Greyhound size bus, with a bazillian kids. Hopefully Matt and Will will be able to go next year, but decided it was best that the skip it this year due to the late hours and sitting still factor.
Charlie had a blast riding the bus, hanging with his buds and seeing the lights. Plus the cookies and popcorn...






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Decorating for Christmas

Sunday we decided to pull out our Christmas decorations. This is what I look like when I am about to pull my hair out.
We tried to set the mood - Christmas music playing, fire on... but the peaceful picture of everyone putting ornaments on the tree didn't really exist. Jon and I thought we were going crazy between all 3 boys trying to get ornaments, help put the tree together and sort out the fragile ornaments out.
You do have to try and phase out the craziness and appreciate the happy, peaceful, non-hitting your brother moments and appreciate them while you can.

Matt checking out the Virginia Tech football helmet ornament, the day after the Hokies beat the Hoos!
Will loved bringing over ornaments from the table to the tree, skipping along the way.
Life is good when you are 'double-fisting,' Will always likes to have a full milk.
Charlie loved decorating the tree.