Christmas 2011

Braden putting out the reindeer food.
Setting out the milk and cookies for Santa!

Chillin in his new Cars couch:)

Already in his underwear showing off all his new toys from Santa!!

I guess he was a good boy this year:)

His favorite toy this year was his Batman Cave.

More fun with Elfie!

Relaxin in Braden's car bed
Playing with the MagnaDoodle!

Goodbye note to Braden on Christmas.

Braden is pretty sad to see Elfie go. He asked us if Elfie could use his magic to come back tomorrow. We all loved this tradition and will definitely keep it up! Every morning that was the first thing he did- see where Elfie was hiding! When he found him he would look up at us and say, "It's magic!" this Christmas has been so amazing through his eyes! He really made this year so special for our family. I hope you all have a very Merry Christmas! Enjoy your family and friends and remember the reason for the season- Jesus! Love to all!

Awe Shucks!

I know it is dark, but I love it when he says "Awe shucks"!!! I love this kid!!!

Christmas Elf

Elfie driving the John Deere:)

This year is the first year that Braden has really understood Christmas and Santa Claus. He is trying so hard to be a good boy so Santa will bring him a Batman Cave, which is what he consistently says he wants. Our elf came a little early this year, because Braden was being a stinker at home and we needed his assistance to help us out. The night we read the book Elf on the Shelf, Braden was SOOOO excited! He named his elf Elfie and as soon as he woke up the next morning, he jumped out of bed to find where Elfie was hiding. Every morning after he finds him, he says, "It's magic!" His eyes just twinkle with excitment and you can see the Christmas magic happening. He LOVED seeing Santa Claus and sitting on his lap too! When he does something good or is a big helper he asks me to go tell Elfie he is being good. Then he says, "Thank you, Mama!" Christmas really is such a magical time this year! I love seeing it through his eyes and feeling like a kid again:)

Elfie taking a marshmellow bath:)

Thanksgiving and more...

Thanksgiving 2011

Christmas Parade 2011

Santa Picture with cousin Chloe 2011

I cannot believe it is almost Christmas!! We have really been enjoying the holiday season with family and friends. Braden and Chloe are growing so much! Braden will repeat anything you say, so we have to watch what we say because he wants to repeat the bad stuff like shit and crap. He is such a boy-- consumed with his "wiener" and he wants to be naked all the time! He cracks us up with his questions about everything and trying to act big:) He really is a sweet though! He loves to snuggle and doesn't want us to leave him. Right now he is sleeping with me in my bed- yes we have created a monster! I do enjoy it though- LOTS of nighttime and morning snuggles for me. He always says, "Hold me, Mama" because he wants my hand on his back. Of course I LOVE IT!!! I am a big snuggler and he knows how to get me:)

We put the Christmas tree up early this year and he loves turning the tree lights on when we get home. I think he is going to love Christmas like we do! A friend of ours made us a Christmas elf ladder that you put against the tree- it is soooo cute! A great addition to our Christmas decor:)

I hope you all have a great holiday season!! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!!!

School, School, and more School

Jill and I both teach (as most of you know) but now we are also both in school working on our Rank I. Jill is working towards her Rank I in School Counseling and I am working on Library Media to be a school librarian. I am not ready to leave the classroom yet, but I would like to have the option if I change my mind one day. Needless to say, things are pretty busy around here most days, but we are hanging in there. Braden keeps us laughing with all the funny new things he talks about- friends, feelings, learning new things, trying to be the boss, etc... He knows all of his alphabet and most of the letter sounds now. This year he has learned his months of the year, days of the week, about Johnny Applessed, Christopher Columbus, counting to 10, etc... So he has been busy learning new things too! We are having so much fun with all our little conversations we have. He is such a sweet hear! I love him so much and feel so blessed to be his mama! Pics to come soon!