Christmas!!

The big man (and we're talking BIG) in the red suit at the mall.

It may be February, but we are still awash with Christmas spirit here at our house. Not a day goes by that we don't talk about Santa, or play Santa, or sing about Christmas, or ask about presents and/or candy. You get the drift. Santa and all his wonderous ways were in full force this year and it truly was fantastic. We started in October when Tyler learned the Chipmunk's Christmas song and while it peaked at a 4-5 times a day one-man concert, now we're down to hearing it maybe three times a week. We're still reading our Christmas books and just this morning we watched "The Polar Express," again. And although "Mickey's Once Upon a Christmas" crecendoed around New Years, we're still watching that a lot, too.


Tyto shows off his gingerbread "Polar Express" train

Eventually I'm sure we'll start talking about other things and Christmas will fade away. Tyler knows that Santa is in Mexico right now sucking down margaritas and taking a vacation, but I have to admit that I absolutely love his enthusiasm and excitment for the holidays and I am enabling as much of it as possible (especially the part where Santa is watching so he needs to be good - boy that's an amazing behavior modifier!!).

Show us your bowl full of jelly!
Tristan, of course, was just in awe of all the activity. Tyler opened every one of all of our presents and Tristan delighted in the ripping of the paper, the climbing into the boxes. Next year we're going to have our hands full. So, here's to keeping the Christmas spirit with you all year long!

Tristan would make a b-line straight for the tree every chance he got. Needless to say, it looked a little bare on the bottom.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!

I need to sleep all this excitement off.

Oh, boxes and paper! Just what I wanted!

On the go!

The best present ever!

Helping Daddy unwrap his birthday presents.

Thanksgiving!

What a bunch of turkeys!!

I am so incredibly thankful for my family! Just look at this lot, they are silly, sweet, gracious and fun. I know I'm blogging about Thanksgiving and it's practically Valentine's Day, but not a day goes by where I don't find myself thinking how lucky I am to have such a great family. And yes, in particular I'm talking about my little boys who are just so adorable, but it also applies to everyone else in my family whom I love so much. I actually keep track of what I am thankful for every day on my calendar. Sometimes it's as ridiculous as gingerbread biscotti cookies (which are really friggin' good!), sometimes it's the sound of the wind on the palm trees as I nurse Tristan to sleep, usually it has something to do with Tristan and Tyler and how cute they are and how I absolutely love, love, love being their mama and watching them grow up. It's the most important thing in the world, and I'm ever so thankful that I get to be part of their lives.

Enough with the mushy stuff, mama! I want my turkey dinner!

We definitely don't have problems with finicky eaters at our house. Tristan is a chow-hound and I love how he just opens his mouth like a little bird waiting for a wonderful surprise. I found myself this Thanksgiving wanting to let him experience each and every dish- including pumpkin pie - whereas I was much more conservative with Tyler (I wanted to make sure Tyto could handle all the foods individually first, then make sure he was up to the task of the different textures, etc.). Tristan got his fair share of sweet potatoes and a little turkey, which because he didn't even have any teeth at the time had to be blended and then gummed, but from the "uummmm, ummmm, ummmmm" sounds he was making, he didn't mind. Next year should be even more fun!

Did the Vikings have a Thanksgiving dinner?

Playtime at the park. We don't get the typical Thanksgiving weather, but this day was nice and crisp (probably a chilly 60 degrees!). This photo depicts one of the rare occasions that Tristan isn't eating leaves, grass or sand and Tyler isn't on the swings.

Nana and Papa (and Uncle Ed, too!) were with us for Thanksgiving so we took the ferry one day over to Catalina to visit some friends. Tyler couldn't wait for the ferry, he thought it was so cool but was scared to death of going outside and really didn't like being close to the windows, either. He was, however, very content to sit in his seat and eat plenty of snacks. He still talks about the snacks to this day!

Tristan was loving the boat ride, too, and charmed everyone who would sneak a peek at him.

Back at the beach, I tried to get some decent shots of the boys for our Christmas picture, but it was like herding cats. One would look cute and the other would look dopey. Then they would reverse it. Did they choriograph that? Finally, I got this shot which I liked, they are probably both making faces, squinting, or something else, but they still look adorable. Hopefully not all of our shots in the future will be of our backs.

Papa loved spending time with both boys and they in returned hanging with Papa!

Tristan gets a chuckle out of Nana and his rolly-polly ball.

"Dude, go get the potatoe chips, I've got the munchies. I'll hold down the fort."

Uncle Ed went with us to the Redondo Beach Christmas festival. The anticipation for Santa was palpable with Tyler. He is still talking about Christmas every day and it's now February! The wonder and amazement in Tyto's eyes when he sees Santa is priceless.