Christmas

Well, Christmas was a little different for us this year. Aaron had to work on Christmas day, so we did all of our celebrating before Christmas even arrived. The way Aaron's schedule works, he won't have to work Christmas day for another 4 years. So, Eli will be 6 and Cole will be 4. That's crazy to think about, but glad it's not evey year!

We started with celebrating with just our family. We openned presents on Wednesday afternoon.

Here is a little video of Cole playing with his present! It was so funny! He hit that lever probably 5 or 6 times in a row!

Then we headed to my parent's house. We had a nice supper and then basically we watched Eli open his presents! Lots of good stuff!On Christmas eve, we were supposed to go to my Grandparent's house, but with all the snow we couldn't go. So we stayed at home and played! (Oh and I took Cole to the doctor and found out he had a DOUBLE EAR INFECTION...poor baby!)

Then we headed to the Kirtley's to open presents! Again, Eli got LOTS of presents...I think he's a little spoiled, or really loved!!

It was a great Christmas. We are truly blessed to have such wonderful family! I love spending time with all of them! Hope your Christmas was just as blessed!

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!

From our family to yours!

We hope you have a very blessed Christmas celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Love,

Aaron, Shannon, Eli and Cole

laughing

Cole has been really finding his voice lately!

I think he's noticing how loud his brother can be, so he's picked up on screaming...not angry, mad, upset screaming.

More like a high pitch shrill that lets you know he's in the room!

I actually really enjoy hearing that noise!

Eli loves it to!

He has become more interested in Cole lately b/c he can make him laugh and smile.

Now, I would NOT encourage this behavior as the boys get older, but for now it was cute!

And, yes, Eli knows that he is in NO way ever to hit Cole.

He's fine with that!

cookie decorating

We started a new tradition for our South Breeze staff.

Cookie decorating!

There are 3 of us Kindergarten teachers and we provided ALL the cookies for our kiddos. I believe there were enough for each kid to have at least 9 cookies! They didn't take that many, but there were LOTS of cookies!

Look how excited Little Miss Adalyn was to decorate cookies!

Madalyn was just excited to see Austin!

Surprise visit from Santa! Eli said, "Hi Santa! Come on. Come over here!" Guess he's not shy about Santa anymore!

But...Madalyn was definetly NOT sure about Santa. (Little does she know, it was here Daddy!!)

Cole's too little to know the difference, but had a happy time just hanging out!

Then the cookie decorating began:

and eating....

It was so much fun! It will be fun to continue the tradition from year to year and watch our kids grow up having this tradition. I am truly blessed to work with such great people. As teachers we invest SO much time into other peoples kids...its nice to do things for our own kids to show them how much we LOVE them!

future wrestler

Wrestling runs in the family.

Not my family! Aaron's family!

Aaron's dad was a wrestler.

Aaron was a wrestler...and coaches wrestling for our middle school in Newton.

So, what do you think Eli will be when he gets a little older???

Yep...I'm going to say a wrestler!

He got this singlet from Grandpa Tim for his birthday last year. The last few days he's been having us put him in it and LOVES to wrestle Aaron.

He tells me, "Look out mom. I'm wrestling!"

So look out...he might just want to wrestle you if you let him!

This is what goes on in my house ALL THE TIME!! I can only imagine how much more loud and crazy it will get when Cole is able to participate. For now he hangs out in the bouncy seat and watches! And no, Aaron is not slamming Eli down on the ground. He's actually very careful with him. Aaron did inform me today that Eli has learned a few wrestling moves these last few days since he's been home with him. Oh boy!

I love it though! I wouldn't trade any of it! I love that my house is loud and that Eli is ALL boy! I love that Cole will be able to play with Eli. I LOVE all 3 of my boys!

christmas cookies

We are starting a new tradition at our school this Christmas season. Our Kindergarten team of teachers decided we would make LOTS of sugar cookies and invite our staff to come with their kids to decorate them! We have a large staff and LOTS of kids! So tonight Eli and I made our cookies. He's such a big helper! I love that he wants to do things like this with me! I can't wait to help him decorate them on Thursday!

project 2: christmas cards

So my next project was the get my Christmas cards, stuffed and addressed.

I know...it's not a craft. However it is something that I really needed to get done!

So, they're done!

Ready to go out on Monday!

Yeah for being productive!!!

project 1: burp cloths

This weekend I am at Maple Memories in McPherson.
There are 12 of us lovely women here.

It's fun!

I'm up WAY past my bedtime...but I don't have to get up with a baby tonight!

Project 1: Burp cloths!

Never made them before, but thought I would try it out! So far, somewhat successful! I am definetly NOT a seamstress! Some are for a gift and some are for me!

So, 3 was enough for me tonight! Tomorrow...not sure what project I'll work on! Kind of putting off the scrapbooking!

Snow Day

Work before play

The tractor did not work on the snow and made Eli very

angry.

We went to wallmart and got a sled, alot more fun

Eli showing love to the snowman

Paco joining in the fun

We had a great time playing in the snow

baby dedication

I prayed for this child and the Lord has granted me what I have asked of him. So now I will give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.

1 Samuel 1:27-28

Cole was dedicated at church today. We stood before the church and promised that we will raise Cole to know the Lord. We also understand that Cole is a child of God. We are blessed to have him and raise him to one day serve the Lord. It is our prayer that Cole will come to know Jesus and make his own decision to ask Him into his heart. At that point he can be baptized, when it's his decision.

It was a good day. We are truly blessed to have Cole in our lives. He is a great baby and LOVES his brother Eli. We can not imagine our lives without this blessing from God.