The Magic of the Season

This has been an awesome Christmas. Matt and Will started getting the concept of Christmas and Santa Claus. On Christmas Eve we put out food for the reindeer that came home from preschool. Our 'Rudolph' made it outside from the kitchen (after spending a few days blown up in there for fun) and I am not sure if Matt and Will thought the blow up was going to eat it or if Reindeer were coming overnight? Either way seems magical, I figure... Charlie also heard Santa's thump on the roof and the reindeer jingling bells.

There were lots of fun things this year that we all enjoyed...
- the Live Nativity at Discovery UMC, tigers, lions and all...
- the Tacky Light Tour in a bus. So much fun riding around looking at lights, listening to Christmas music and hanging out with friends.
- making Christmas cookies x2
- the bell service at church
- trains, trains and more trains

To Charlie's dismay, no snow, but we did make up for that with a trip to Deep Creek and hopefully have more on the way!

Merry Christmas to All!

Santa Tran

Will, Matt, Cloe & Stacy

Matt and one of his crazy faces

Hanging on the open train car before seeing Santa

If you notice Santa's stance, this is probably the 1st time when Charlie asked him if he was the real Santa

Will, Matt & Charlie waiting to see Santa

The Crew

Our biggest train lover, Will

Hanging out after our train ride. Loved this picture of Charlie & Matt hanging out.

Saying goodbye to Santa out the window

Matt

100 Years... and 5 great grandchildren Later

Saturday, Ken & Linda invited us to Blackstone to visit Bevell's Hardware Store for their annual train display, and to have lunch with Uncle Joe and Aunt Page.This has been an annual trek for Charlie, but Will & Matt had not yet met the trip.

The boys absolutely loved the trains, Will especially is a train nut. Since we rode the Santa train the previous Sat. we had to explain that these were "little trains" so we heard let's go see "little trains" several times on the way down from Matt & Will. The snow display was also a hit, and it all felt like a step back in time, seeing the town come together and celebrate with a packed house. We had a really nice lunch and then headed to the cemetery as Linda had flowers for Grandma/Mr Sharrer's gravesite. I realized that morning, that Dec. 17th was Mrs. Sharrer's birthday, but had no realization that it would have been her 100th birthday since her birth in 1911. Even more meaning for me in seeing her grave, with Jan. 5th as my Grandma Boaz's birthday, which was the day she died in 2002.

It was very special to watch Charlie, Matt & Will running around, placing flowers and singing (well, shouting) in the cemetery and thinking how much she would have loved it. The drive back really had me thinking about the Circle of Life and how much I wish some of my circles could've crossed more. I kept thinking about how many people have left this world since Jon and I got married and how many, especially our children, our nieces and our nephews have joined. It's hard to think of it all somedays, but for Saturday it was special to take part in that moment.

Will concentrating on the train display

Matt taking in the snow

Charlie catching flakes

Matt catching flakes

The Preschool Christmas Program

Walking into the program: Will in front and notice that big smile from Matt at the end of the picture

Matt & Will: Not so sure about standing up front & center at the Christmas Program

Charlie amongst the Girls!

Matt, Will and the infamous Ella that they both LOVE!

Will's Belly played a small part in the program this year!

Charlie, Matt & Will had their Christmas program this past Thursday with lots of singing. Charlie truly belted out with every song and we could hear his every word :o) I am not sure if Matt & Will knew what was going on, but did get involved when the had bells to ring with Jingle Bells.
Charlie loves singing with the Christmas music on the radio. His favorite song is probably the Little Drummer Boy... bah rum ba bum!

Living the Life of a Twin

We often wonder what it would be like to live the life of a twin... We go from Matt rocking the crib and night so loud, that Will is yelling "stop" to Matt dumping out Will's water pitcher the following morning in the shower. But then you have a night like last night, where Will fell asleep to Matt singing "jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell."
They make each other laugh constantly and they give each other hugs, to the beating each other up and "xxx hit me!"
One thing we know, it's always interesting...

Matt & Will's 3rd Birthday at the school Halloween Parade

Matt & Will at the Train Day in Ashland

Will & Matt hanging in their "hole" at the Beach