A White Christmas

White Christmases are rare in Dallas, so this was such a treat. Actually, snow anytime is a treat. When we got back home from Christmas at Mimi and Pop's house we found our neighborhood and house covered with snow. The further north we drove on the way home, the more snow was on the ground (and the roads). The boys could not wait to get bundled up and go outside.

The wind was blowing in gusts and the snow, which was still coming down, was flying right in their faces in this photo...cold!

The boys tried making snow balls, but the snow was very dry and freshly fallen so they didn't have much luck.

But just tossing loose snow around is fun too!

Ethan wanted to make a snow man so badly and daddy tried to help, but the snow just would not stick together no matter how much we tried.

So, more snow-throwing ensued...

Those snow shoes I'm wearing are so old they are almost vintage. I got them in high school when my grandparents had their cabin in Durango, CO. I think we actually got them at the Walmart there. I kept them up there for years to use when we visited during the winter. I hardly would have worn them at all down here. But when they sold the cabin and moved here a few years ago, I stuck the boots in the top of my closet and they only come down on rare occasions like these. But I guess it's good that I still have them (and a place to store them).

After playing in the front yard for a while, we moved to the back yard to see what it looked like out there.

I could not figure out why Ethan voluntarily fell backwards into the snow...

...until he started making a snow angel. The fact that his bare back was probably touching snow when he raised his arms up did not seem to bother him at all.

Of course, Logan wanted to do a snow angel too...

...which only lasted for a few seconds until he realized that the snow was falling directly onto his face. So, daddy to the rescue.

This photos sums up just how excited Ethan was to be playing in the snow. He could have stayed out there for hours.

In this photo, Logan is saying, "cold!" Yes, it is, son. In fact, I was ready to go back inside after the first five minutes. But, we stayed out for about an hour. I think I like to look at snow more than actually be outside in it.

One last wagon ride through the snow before we made them go inside. It was about to get dark and time for dinner. But still they vehemently protested going inside. However, after a warm bath and sitting by the fire, they enjoyed watching the snow falling from inside the house. What a fun way to end Christmas Day!

Christmas 2012: Part 4

Our final celebration of Christmas was at my parents' house on Christmas Day. The very first thing we did is dig into our stockings...because Santa stops at Mimi and Pop's house too. Ethan and Logan each got a classic Disney movie that they hadn't yet seen...The Little Mermaid and 101 Dalmatians. They have loved watching them both.

Then, we moved to the living room and started passing out presents for everyone to open.

In my family, everyone has a camera and uses them. I'm not the odd one. Actually, I guess this partially explains my penchant for taking photos.

Before the opening began...Ethan and Logan surrounded by their gifts.

Ethan was thrilled about more stuffed animals...specifically, the Finding Nemo characters. Logan got some expansion train sets to add on to his basic set and they have been a big hit. He still loves playing with trains.

My parents gave Ethan one of these cash boxes to keep his coins in a few years ago, and this year, Logan got his very own too.

Uncle Kevin and Aunt Jill opening some of their gifts...

And my uncle Nigel got a very fitting t-shirt for him...especially since he is the only man in his house.

Logan had a ball playing in the wrapping paper. He tossed it around and in the air, squealing. Maybe we should just get him used wrapping paper next year.

Mimi and Pop opened their gifts last. Logan is helping Mimi open her Asheville photo book that I made for her gift of our trip this November. And Pop carries on a tradition of someone wearing a bow on his/her head...I think it started with my grandparents' cat many years ago.

Oh, yes...and in addition to his fascination with the wrapping paper, Logan also had a grand time with all the bubble wrap.

After gifts and lunch (curried meat pies!), Logan went down for a nap and Ethan played with his toys and colored in a new coloring book. Then, during our game of Mexican Train, it started snowing. A white Christmas! And guess what movie was playing in the background for me to watch (since I hadn't seen it yet this year)? Of course...White Christmas. Ethan begged to go outside, so I put him in one of Pop's coats and hats. He was thrilled.

But it was cold. The wind just made it that much colder. Ethan did not care. He immediately started talking about making a snow man.

When Logan woke up, we packed up all of our stuff and headed home before the roads got too bad. Good thing too, because up near our house there was twice as much snow and the roads were not looking great. We saw no less than 6 cars that had skidded off the road. But we made it and then had our own little snow exploring to do at home!

Christmas 2012: Part 3

Part 3 of our 2012 Christmas celebration was at our house. After coming home from Nonnie and Papaw's house on Christmas Eve, the boys took a bath and got dressed in their striped Christmas pajamas. I took some photos with them in front of the Christmas tree...something I had been meaning to do all season, but just hadn't gotten to yet.

Then, we read the Christmas story (Jesus' birth) and Twas the Night Before Christmas together on the couch. This is something we do every year on Christmas Eve. After reading, the boys picked out one of their decorated cookies to leave out for Santa.

After setting out the cookie and milk on Santa's special mat, the boys went to bed excited about Christmas the next day. Thankfully, they both went to sleep immediately since they were worn out.

Christmas Eve night was loud and rainy with storms and very cold temperatures. In fact, on Christmas morning, when the boys woke up, it was pouring rain. (Ethan had woken up earlier than Logan so he had a little preview to their main (unwrapped) gift, but here he is leading Logan down the stairs so they can open their stuff together.)

Casey and I got the boys this Pirate's Hideaway from Imaginative Play Toys on Etsy. I knew this would be a perfect joint gift and they truly love it. It is a felt shell that fits over a regular card table, which I purchased at Target. All four sides of the hideaway are decorated and there are several windows/port holes to let light in and allow them to look out from inside. That little red pouch on the left side of the door is actually a "mail box" and came with four felt envelopes, which have been a big hit with the boys.

I also ordered a felt pirate map (from the same seller) to go with the hideaway and they both loved that too...

After a little while, they were ready to move on to their stockings and see what Santa brought them.

The first thing Logan pulled out was a blue ring pop. I should have learned from our experiences the day before and set that aside instead of in his stocking....because he just had to open it immediately.

Ethan was so excited to get exactly what he wanted (and asked for) from Santa...a stuffed chicken and a stuffed goat. I think it's hilarious that's what he wanted above all else, but he is a funny kid.

It's not easy to open gifts with one hand occupied with a ring pop.

So, Ethan helped Logan pull out the contents of his stocking, showing him each thing in turn.

When it was time to open a few more gifts from me and Casey, Logan still had his ring pop.

Ethan is pleased to get even more stuffed animals. His favorite kind of toy right now.

After all the gifts were opened, my mom and I went to get breakfast set up quickly. My parents were able to come over to our house on Christmas morning for the first time because they didn't have anyone at their house to entertain this year. We shared a breakfast together just like we're used to having at their house...cinnamon coffee cake, fruit, and sausage balls. Simple but good. Then they left to go home to get ready for the crowd that would be coming to their house mid-morning...including us. So we took showers and got dressed too. The boys, of course, had the best time playing with all their new things.