December life

I always love December and getting ready for Christmas and just all the fun that the season brings. This year was a little different since I was still in quite a bit of pain but I was trying to manage it. I was not able to be as involved with a lot of the things that I usually am involved with. Like I didn't even make caramel popcorn this year. It was a different Christmas season for me but I hope it was just as magical for the boys as it ever is. 

Gigi helped Wyatt build this foam Christmas scene that she bought for him to do. He had wanted help with it so when they came over one afternoon she sat down and helped him get it put together. 

We also had the rest of Emmett's basketball season. 

I think he will enjoy it even more next year. 

Then it was time for Brandon's office party. 

This year the office party was another ugly sweater party but also a white elephant gift exchange. So we had Qdoba cater and Brandon and I got stuff to do another Italian Cream soda bar. It was quite a bit to handle with my back not being all better yet. However, it was a success and everyone seemed to have fun. It sure is nice not having to do a party like this on my own. haha 

Great Wolf Lodge! 

We took the kids to Great Wolf lodge to start their Christmas break. The boys were super excited!! 

Had to get a picture of the boys in front of the Christmas Tree it was after all less that 10 days till Christmas. 

While the boys played mini golf, rock wall climbing and the ropes course Kayden just wanted to play in the arcade. He would not leave this racing game area. Anytime someone came over and sat in the one next to him he would talk to them and call them his friend. haha It was pretty funny! 

Ethan and Wyatt really enjoyed the ropes course. 

Then they all played some mini golf together. 

Then Wyatt was off to go rock wall climbing. 

He is the only one of our boys that really enjoys it. The other two don't really care for it and Kayden is too little. haha Emmett tried it once but I don't think he even got up the first foot holds. He got too nervous. After playing for a while we called it a night and headed up to the room to pop some popcorn and let the kids watch something for a little bit before going to bed. 

The next morning we ate some breakfast and then went swimming. 

Sadly, I didn't get many pictures of us swimming. I couldn't really get in the water because of my back I couldn't swim around. I had gotten some extra strength pain killers before our trip and they were helping but I still couldn't go on the slides or do much of anything. I walked around following Kayden and helping him in the water while Brandon went on the slides with the older boys. Next time we go I better be all healthy and not in pain so I can have fun with the kids instead of just watching them have fun. 

After a few hours of playing in the water the kids were done and wanted to go play mini golf and rocking climbing again before leaving. 

We also squeezed in some bowling. Kayden was exhausted by the time we were bowling. So he was acting out like crazy and super grumpy because all he wanted to do was go sit at the steering wheel in the arcade. Before we knew it our stay at Great Wolf was over. 

Kayden got a hold of a sharpie and drew all over our sliding glass door and frame. For the next week we ended up finding little balls with sharpie markings on them. Thankfully, that was about it and we didn't find it on any walls. haha 

Look at this cute little boy in his new Mickey jammies. He loves his new jammies. 

Emmett decorated some Christmas cookies! haha That face and those cookies is a scary combination. haha 

We also got to go to the Hansens house for some Christmas activities. 

The kids got to decorate cones to make them look like Christmas trees. 

Then they played in the basement for a little bit before Santa arrived. 

Time to tell Santa what they wanted for Christmas. 

It was a fun morning. The kids had fun and us adults had fun chatting with each other. 

Right after seeing Santa we took off to the Summit to go bowling and play in the arcade. There was a deal going on so we went with some friends and played for a few hours.

Kayden obviously could care less about bowling. As soon as he got a chance he would run for the arcade. It was a hassle trying to keep track of him. So when bowling was finally done and we let the kids play in the arcade it was a little less chaotic because I could just sit with Kayden in the race games or just follow him around. 

Before we knew it Christmas eve was here. 

We had the cousins exchange just before lunch.

Kayden got a Mickey firetruck and was super excited. He would have been happy with only that for Christmas. Emmett got a game for the switch, Wyatt got a slime making kit and Ethan got a 3D puzzle. 

After presents we did our annual ginger bread (Graham cracker) house making.

Kayden just likes to eat all the candy. haha 

Everyone else had fun decorating and trying to be as creative as possible. I didn't make one this year. I just watched and took a few pictures.

Ethan's finished product. 

Emmett's finished product.

I didn't get a picture of Brandon's this year but it was a good one. 

Wyatt's finished product! 

Then Wyatt tried out his slime making kit. He was not a huge fan. haha I thought for sure he would have enjoyed it more than he did. Oh well, he still had a fun time trying to make it. Even if he didn't want to make anymore after. haha 

Our Christmas Tradition of Nordy's for Christmas Eve. It was delicious and a little chaotic with Kayden trying to go everywhere he wanted and I was not able to help out as much as I normally do. So poor Brandon had to try and wrangle Kayden and get the boys plates of food all ready. It was still tasty and we were all full and happy when we headed home.

Making Santa's cookies.

Brandon had to help the boys make the cookies when the elves dropped off the jar of cookie mix. It sure isn't all that fun just watching everyone do these things. Its a good thing the boys have an amazing Dad who likes to do things with them and who steps up even more while Mom is injured!! 

The last thing to do before heading off to bed so Santa could come was opening up the kids ornaments. 

Kayden got a Mickey sled car. 

Emmett got a backpack that had a K on it for kindergarten and his cute little face.

Wyatt got an elf with a candy cane for a hockey stick. He and Ethan have really liked playing hockey with each other outside. 

Lastly, Ethan got a "Hammer Time" ornament because this kid is always making something or creating something. 

Before we knew it it was time to go to bed. The kids couldn't wait till Christmas morning. Christmas seems to come faster and faster each year! The boys kept telling me that what they really wanted for Christmas was for my back to be better. Wyatt said that all he wanted for Christmas was for my back to be better. All 3 boys mentioned that multiple times throughout December. I feel so lucky to have such sweet boys who want to help out and want me to feel better. It has been a rough go and it makes me sad that I have not been able to be as fun as I normally am. Or really, do much of anything. So when the kids say something about wanting to help out or wishing my back would be better if makes me a little emotional. They are such good boys and I am sure Santa will be good to them this year! 

Normal life after our trip.

After our nice trip in the warmth and humidity we were back in the dry cold. It was normal life as we know it. Emmett had basketball which was fun for him. We also had to start decorating for Christmas since it was November. It was a good month. 

Emmett was so excited to play basketball this year. Yet when it came time to go to practices and games he was not super in to it. He would complain about having to go to practice or not wanting to go to the game. Thankfully, Papa told him that he should do pushups everyday to get stronger and be able to make the baskets. He took that to heart and soon he was making some points and was super excited. It was fun to watch him get out of his comfort zone and learn some actual basketball skills. He really did have fun. 

Then it was Christmas Tree time. 

We were behind on putting up our tree this year since we left on our trip right after November started. So we were almost 2 weeks late putting it up. So it was nice when we finally got around to it. Sadly, I didn't help a ton because it hurt my back. I did enjoy watching the kids do it though. 

It was kayden's year to put up the star. 

He thought it was pretty cool! 

He also enjoyed putting on the ornaments on the same branches or rearranging ones that were already up. For some reason Wyatt wanted to cluster all of his ornaments around the same area. I told him to spread them out a little bit but, he really wanted them all to be clustered together. haha 

Why wipe up the spilt milk when you can just drink it off the table. He thought it was the funnest thing to do. He would look up at me and smile and then go back for more. haha

Emmett is getting pretty good at his dribbling skills. It is always fun going to practice and having them look over with a huge grin when they have done something they are proud of. It makes me happy to see them so happy and proud of themselves. 

Kayden can't eat these days without bringing all of his favorite cars to the table with him. 

Then it was time to put the lights on the house. 

Brandon let the boys get on the roof with him this year. I was not so excited about it and made sure to tell them that they needed to stay super far away from the edge while they were up there. 

Of course Kayden wanted to help too. He kept trying to climb up the ladder. Little stinker! 

Every year we have a TON of leaves in our yard. They are not even from our trees. They are all from our neighbors trees. The only trees we have that drop leaves are our peach and apple tree. Which don't have much to get rid of by fall. So this massive pile is not even ours. Sometimes I just want to throw the leaves back into the neighbors backyards so that they can deal with cleaning them up. I may feel this way, but, we never do it. We just suck it up and clean it ourselves. 

Emmett bagged all of the leaves up by himself. He told Gigi that he wanted to do help out and make me happy. I had been having a rough go and my boys have seen me shed quite a few tears. So Emmett and his tender heart just decided that he was going to make me happy and clean all of the leaves up on his own. I had mentioned that the boys needed to go clean them up. Ethan and Wyatt didn't budge and Emmett went right outside to clean them up so he could make me happy. It was so sweet. When my mom told my this I had to hold back some tears. I really do have such sweet boys! This was no small feet for Emmett to do either. The pile was twice his size and almost as tall as he is. The fact that he did it all on his own was really impressive! 

Off to Colorado Springs for Thanksgiving! 

What? A tasty mixed soda? Yes Please!!! 

And IN N OUT!!! Already a great trip in my book!! haha 

Our Thanksgiving weekend was filled with lots of yummy food and good company. The kids loves playing with their cousins. Kayden had been wanting to go to Beckham's house for a while. So he was thrilled that we were going. 

Kayden kept wanting Piper and Kemry to lay in bed with him. He learned how to climb out of the pack n play while we were there because the bed was so close to it that he could use it to help himself out. The little stinker! He would yell for Piper to come in his bed with him anytime he was tired. haha 

Tyrel smoked brisket for our Thanksgiving meal. It was tasty! We had a yummy meal and lots of fun. 

"Turkey Bread" 

My Dad picked up some cinnamon swirl burst bread from Great Harvest and added Turkey decorations to it. He then called it "Turkey Bread" which Kayden really took to. Now anything he wants this type of bread he called it Turkey Bread. haha In fact, one afternoon we were getting in the car and he kept saying he wanted bread. So by the time I was about to get him some bread he said, "No, Turkey Bread" which I then realized what he was wanting. haha So for our family it will no longer be known as cinnamon burst swirl bread but instead, "Turkey Bread"

After our Thanksgiving weekend in Colorado Springs we were in full Christmas mode. We watched Christmas movies, went and saw Christmas lights and the boys started to earn tickets to be able to give their brothers presents for Christmas. The boys also got to earn a little money by doing some shredding for Brandon and for Papa and Gigi. 

There was quite a bit that needed to be shredded so they made a good amount of money sitting their watching Christmas movies and putting paper through the shredders. Brings back memories from when I was a kid. haha 

Christmas lights! 

We went through the lights put on by the youth camp here in Timnath. The kids enjoyed it, especially Kayden because Brandon let him help drive for a little bit. Then all the fun went out the window when he had to go back in his carseat. 

Nothing better on a cold night after seeing Christmas lights than some cold ice cream! haha 

All worth it, seeing this cute little messy face!

Movie night at Papa and Gigi's.

I do love this sight!! It is just so nice with all the pretty lights gleaming in the night.

We also decided to check out the Timnath Tree lighting ceremony this year. 

It was not as fun as everyone said it was. It ended up just being an evening of crowds, overly expensive food truck food and standing around in the cold before heading home. 

The biggest highlight was having Mickey and Minnie show up! Kayden was pretty excited about that!

We wont be going to this next year. It was not worth it. Way too many people to go stand around in the cold eating mediocre food that is way too expensive and dealing with crowds of people to either stand in line to see Santa or do some crafts. No Thanks!! We would have been better off eating at Chick Fil A and going home to watch a Christmas Movie in the comfort of our own home. haha