I’m usually just a black & white gal, but I’m 90% sure I’ll print all of these in color.

Can I just take this quick second to tell you – through both Christmas celebrations – how incredibly blessed we are by our families. I not just talking about gifts, but by presence. We are so fortunate to love all sides of our family. Neither of us have problems with the in-laws. All the siblings get along…its just so nice. When I hear of the horror and dread so many people have heading into the holidays it makes me so sad for them. Ours are always filled with such JOY!

Okay – back to Christmas morning. Due to the snow, we had to take the long way to MILs. It took about 20 min, usually just takes about 5. We really had fun seeing everything covered in snow for Christmas morning.

Three kids meant lots of gift opening. The boys tore through everything so fast! It was so great to see the joy on their faces….the excitement in their voices….ahhh….the epitome of “like kids on Christmas morning.” (um, i got NO pictures of the adults! – just know we were all equally blessed!)

A RARE moment of silence. Both boys, playing with their clipboards and pens on top of their semi trucks holding tons of matchbox cars. *love*

When you asked Stunt Boy what he wanted for Christmas, he repeatedly said, “Rocky the Robot Truck.” I kept waiting for it to change, but it didn’t. Rock the Robot is $50! Now, I used to totally gawk at parents and what they would spend on their children for stupid toys, but I have to say, once you are a parent, who cares! Your kid wants it, you can afford it, they should have it! Rocky, talks, dumps, dances, snores….it really is a neat toy. I bought this gift in November and hid it. I was so excited about it. I think just knowing how bad HE wanted it made me so excited to give it to him. Of course, this is his totally cheesy smile, but he was super stoked. Several times over the last few days he’s randomly commented, “Thank you for my Rocky the Robot truck, Mom.” (Not lying. More than once!) Worth. Every. Dime. (well, except its really annoying after awhile.)

My sister-in-law, Lyndee, surprised me by MAKING Starlet this adorable tutu. She even blinged up the onsie and leggings! (oh, and the BOWS!!!!) L is super talented…not only is she an awesome stylist, she super crafty…clearly!

After all of the presents, we hurried outside to play in the snow. HELLO! We are Texans, we never see snow, we HAVE to play in it! Uncle Chad is from upstate New York so he showed us how to make a proper snowman….an over 6′ snowman!

And we played with more dump trucks…

Frosty the Snowman….

(uhhh….clearly i changed the setting on the camera….DOH!)

And for good measure….here are my in-laws…good story here, but basically we were all tired of taking pictures.

I am not kidding you when I say it went from rainy/snow to SNOW in a matter of minutes. We are sitting there enjoying our coffee and company when suddenly we notice that the snow is really coming down and sticking. We booked it out of there since we still had to stop at the store…I got these while EP was in the store. (My MI friends are SO laughing at me about now!)

And it just kept going. All.day.long.

By the time we were supposed to be leaving for dinner we were all calling each other wondering if we should try at all? But, of course, we went! The roads were icy and nuts, but it wasn’t far at all for my little family.

We arrived to dinner to find my sister, Diva, to be freaking out about driving. She’s so funny. I enjoyed dinner (I always enjoy food that I haven’t cooked! . I was so pleased and Starlet behavior. She is just such an awesome baby. She enjoyed some bread, pasta, zucchini and mashed potatoes.

From dinner it was time for PRESENTS!! I’m a little sad that the snow happened because we totally rushed gift giving so that everyone could get home safely. Seriously, our house was empty by 9 pm. I have a zillion photos but here are just a few. I have a big story coming about my big gift from SB.

These are the only pics I have for now from her site as I still haven’t gotten my CD from Keri. (HINT HINT — hehe as if she isn’t busy!) It’s funny because she chose a few that we wouldn’t have and now I love these too! AK – I’m never going to narrow it down!

More to come…

Stunt Boy did so awesome!! Last night, we got in bed and he told me all about how loud he was going to sing and that he couldn’t wait. He also threw in there “dad can’t go up on the stage” and “if your are bad the Pastor will take you back to your room.” Hahaha…he also started asking who was coming to see him. Since last year was such a disaster we really didn’t invite people this year….well, until he made that comment and I spent the evening calling my family members.

The lights changed the entire time so please excuse my photos…..

Can you tell we didn’t really care for hand gestures?? He was next to two girls that were just so into it! I have a lot of pictures with his hands in his pockets staring at the ground. But, hey, at least he sang this year!

I think the funniest thing is how much SB hated the audience clapping. (Note the picture with his hands over his ears!)

And I just felt bad for this poor boy, B, the entire time.

Stunt Boys class

LOL – Just found this. I remember it so clearly because I was excited to capture this face. This is SB watching Polar Express (in his Thomas PJs)…this is the Hot Chocolate scene.

So, that year we heard about North Pole Express in a neighboring town. NPE is a vintage railroad that offers 30 min train rides for kids during the Christmas season. We knew we had to go.

We had purchased tickets for our family members, but the baby had a runny nose and they ended up not being able to make it, so my friend Meg and her daughter came along.

SB loved it even more than I had expected…

In 2008, SB was three and STILL obsessed with trains. My husbands entire family was able to make it that year. SB had such a fun time with his favorite cousin! (I REALLY need a fake name for him!! Stunt Double? or is that too confusing?)

(that last picture is by SBs bed and he STILL talks about it.)

So, now its 2009, SB is 4 and I really thought we’d skip the train this year. Last year was kind of a let down because there was too much story time, singing, etc….it was really kinda like- okay, enough! But, then I got a letter from the school saying that they’d be taking a field trip there…how could I turn it down?? So, I paid the money and sent EP and SB on there way. EP didn’t want to take my big camera so I only have iPhone pics.

Stunt Boy became a gardener.

We picked out our Christmas wish list over breakfast.

Starlet was involved in an at-home photo shoot.

We visited the zoo with family (i still haven’t come up with anything creative for them yet!!).

Had a BUNCH of pre-Thanksgiving eating….

And finally….Thanksgiving. I was thankful to have my husband home!!