Christmas Day

On Christmas Day we ended up having to wake both boys up, just after 8 a.m.  As you can tell from the picture, we're not early morning people.  Even on December 25.

They did perk up once they walked into the living room and saw Santa had come.

Landon's big gift was a chair, just like brothers!  No more fighting over the chair.

We love books!

Santa remembered Mommy's favorite sour candy!

Landon was so much fun this year!  He would squeal, "Ooooh!" I don't remember Eli as "into" Christmas this early, but then again, Landon has big brother to watch.

Landon gave Eli some matching "doddie" pjs.  The boys wear these nearly every night.  I'll miss it when they're too big to match.

One of the only things Eli mentioned wanting this year were some new fireman rain boots.  He'd worn his old ones (which I think someone gave me) until they were falling apart and too small.  These came in handy with all the rain we got around Christmas this year.

Eli was so proud of the gift he gave me.  I was getting a huge hug before I could even open the gift.  He picked out a beautiful cross necklace for me, all on his own!  I love his heart.

Wesley ordered two large canvas prints for me from the photography session we had done with the boys in May.  I absolutely love them.  They're perfect.  Now to decide where to put them!

After opening gifts, we ate breakfast on our wedding china, read the Christmas story, and then took pictures with Nana and Puddin' on the porch.  I'm so glad they were able to be with us on Christmas morning.  They left about mid-morning and headed to Pansey, and we spent the rest of the day playing with our new toys, watching movies, and snuggling on the couch.

Ginny and Pops came over that evening. The boys showed off their presents and we played a round of Eli's new pie in the face game.  We had the most perfect day!

Ice Skating

Eli's friend, Katie, had a birthday party the week before Christmas.  We went ice skating!  It was so much fun!  Watching Eli in the beginning was akin to what I imagine it's like watching Bambi learn to walk, but he definitely improved!

Christmas is Jesus

This Christmas, Eli participated in the children's choir at our church.  They practiced of the weeks and months leading up to Christmas, and performed Christmas is Jesus on a Wednesday night.  We've been singing these songs for weeks.  : )

Repeat the sounding joy, repeat the sounding joy!

Check out that form!

Aunt Jan, Uncle Lamar, Nana, and Puddin' were all able to come and see Eli sing.  We took up a whole pew!

We're so proud of our little guy.  He did a great job!

The video...

Destin Christmas

Two weeks before Christmas, we headed to the beach for Christmas with Ginny, Pops, and Katie.  The weather, though not very Christmasy, was amazing.  It had me longing for my chair, a book, and a little salt-therapy!

It's become a bit of a tradition for Ginny to skip choir on Saturday morning, she's a rebel : ), and take the boys and I to the Christmas parade.

I think after a few years at it, we've got it mastered.  We had a big bag for candy, chairs for us, and the wagon for the boys.

Some of Eli's favorites were the bagpipes, the elf on stilts, and of course Santa and Mrs. Clause!

There was no shortage of candy thrown out this year.  Both boys enjoyed snacking!

Landon was hilarious with this candy cane.  When he was done with it, he'd stick it to the side of his head (gross) for safe-keeping.  The boy needed a bath by the time we left!

For lunch we went to LuLus.  It was the perfect day to be out there:  the crowds were slim and the weather beautiful!

Sandy Landy was one happy boy!  The kids played on the beach before and after our meal.  It's hard to beat that!

We exchanged gifts on Saturday afternoon.

I have no idea what he was looking at, but he was so much fun this Christmas!

That evening, Eli and Ginny were scientists, observing and recording data!  This has been a fun gift that we've gotten out several times.

Sunday was another family tradition, the choir performance at church.  Ginny and Pops both sang, while Wesley and Katie played in the orchestra.  This year I had a buddy to sit with me in the audience!

The weekend was so much fun, but unfortunately we had to jet early that afternoon in order to make it back for one last week of school, even though everything in me was longing for the beach!  We will be back soon!