Thursday, January 2, 2014

Christmas 2013

Sheldon wasn't in a hurry to get out of bed  Christmas morning. Unlike Tyler.



 First, we placed baby Jesus in the manger and sang Happy Birthday.

Then we headed to the family room to see what Santa left the kids.
Santa brought 3 gifts to each child just like baby Jesus received 3 gifts from the Wise Men.
This year all three boys got back packs. Tyler's was a fancy one for his Boy Scout camp outs. Sheldon loves to wear his monkey back pack to church. We fill it with snacks and quiet toys to play with during the main service. It is also great for road trips.

Sheldon loves my US Marine Bear and always asks to play with it. Santa brought him a US Army Bear in his stocking. He LOVES it and sleeps with it every night.





Then we headed to the living room to open presents from family.
The three boys gave Dad some GoPro accessories and I got a new camera.

Tyler got a Mt. Bachelor Tshirt from Mom and Dad and his favorite CD from his brothers.
Brek gave the family a new vacuum to clean up all his hair. Trust me, there is a lot more now that he is retired and not at work 10.5 hours a day. Santa also brought the family a Bose system for the family room.


Tyler gave his brothers camping chairs and skis that strap to snow boots.
Chris and I made all three boys a pvc pipe fort kit. It even came with an instruction manual for 20 different things you can build. Tyler didn't waste any time and built one while the babies were down for their morning nap. It was the gift I was most excited to give this year.

 
Tyler and I had a little time to hang out and play Connect 4 before the babies woke up.
Tyler was impressed that he could stand up in it. You can see the star stickers we used to color code the different lengths of pvc pipe.

I absolutely LOVE Sheldon's reaction when he sees the fort  for the first time. His jabbering melts my heart. If you can translate it, let us know. I really wanted to give a gift all 3 could enjoy and they did.




Christmas Eve Traditions

Pajamas
Every Christmas we get new pajamas to wear while we wait for Santa. Normally we open them on Christmas Eve, but this year I had a photographer come over to take some photos a few days early. Here the boys are patiently waiting and watching skiing (Warren Miller). Sheldon is officially brainwashed. Chris and Tyler have taught him to say ski and snow.



 I wish I knew how to photo shop Sheldon closer to his brothers.
But when I crop the photo, it makes a great individual of Sheldon.



Here are some photos I took on my camera.
We have two live trees. The one in the family room is where Santa brings the kids their presents unwrapped. Tyler always sets up the train underneath. Tyler opted to only put snowflakes and lights this year since his special ornaments look like toys to his little brothers. He also made snowflakes to hang from the ceiling.

The kids also have their own nativity set. 

 Tyler tracked Santa online...
 while the little boys played.


 After the babies went to bed, Tyler and I made cookies for Santa.
 He also wrote a letter and set out veggies for the reindeer.
 Baby Jesus sleeps with the kids until morning.
 

Polar Express

Second Annual Polar Express Family Night

On December 23rd we headed out to see the Christmas lights in our community.
We pretend the Suburban is the train and Dad is the conductor.
We each get our own ticket...
and the kids dress up in their comfy pajamas.

First stop...Starbucks drive thru for some peppermint hot cocoa.
Tyler invited Haley this year.

On our way to each neighborhood the kids watched The Polar Express.
Once we reached our destination the kids worked on a scavenger hunt and enjoyed the lights.
These photos and videos are from our favorite house.

Warning: Obnoxious Fox Song and some crazy dancing


Selfies
Earlier that night, Annie and Katie stopped by with some Christmas kisses and a present.