Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa C

The boys had a great time celebrating Christmas (what is this, their 3rd one?!) with Grandma & Grandpa C this weekend. Grandma & Grandpa arrived Friday just in time to go with me to pick the boys up from school. The boys were so surprised to see Grandpa when I picked them up - Grandma has been to school before but this was Grandpa's first time.

Friday night, we had a big yummy dinner - turkey and gravy, ham, mashed potatoes, mac 'n cheese, green beans, dressing and biscuits. Good stuff!! Then the boys got to open one present - the new Cars 2 movie. They were all interested in watching a movie with Grandma & Grandpa but Eli chose 'Polar Express' instead since he had watched it earlier that week at school.

Saturday morning, we had a trial run at Christmas morning and the boys got to open presents from Grandma & Grandpa. They were itching to open presents and the Grandparents did not disappoint. =) Their big gift was a Monster Jam arena that Grandma & Grandpa made, complete with ramps, blue barrels and yellow crush car stacks. It was sooooo cool!! The boys loved it and had a blast making their own Monster Jam. Grandma & Grandpa left mid afternoon at nap time and then we all took a nap, Mommy & Daddy included!!

We had so much fun with Grandma & Grandpa C and are very thankful they drove up to spend part of Christmas with us.

Friday was "Dress to Impress" day at school

Cole was sharp in black cords and his red sweater vest

a happy tree with presents

our mantle

WWF with Grandpa - the boys LOVED wrestling with Grandpa, specifically here learning "the HAMMER" move.

You have to watch out when Eli's around. If you're sitting, he will just jump and be on your shoulders in a flash.

Eli won!!

Fun rides on Grandpa & Grandma.

Movie time

Tearing into their Cars 2 movie

They also got to open a monster truck - Cole wasn't the least bit happy. =)

A blue Angry Bird to add to his collection.

Grave Digger sweat suits - YAY!

Opening their big gift.

Super cool - their own Monster Jam arena!

I made Grandpa a snuggly blanket for Christmas. I think he liked it.

Cole kept asking to sniff Grandma's candle and then would turn and say "pee yew". It was funny.

Grandma's soft snuggly blanket. I surprised her; she didn't know I made her one!

Their gifts to each other - big monster trucks. Surprised?

Eli and Cole's Monster Jam

Look at all the trucks! The coolest thing is that the mat says "Featuring Eli and Cole" on one end and "Sponsored by Grandma & Grandpa" on the other end. We love it!

Love our Grandparents!

School pictures

The boys school pictures came back last week. Can not believe how big my boys are getting!! Such sweet handsome boys.

Class costumes

Today, Cole's class was to wear red shirts. They were little candy canes!

Eli's class. A bunch of presents!

Christmas Pajama Day

All week the boys are doing fun things to celebrate Christmas week. Today was pajama day.

Cole's class

Eli's class

Christmas with Great Grandparents

This weekend, we made a quick trip (just a day trip) to see my Grandparents, the boys' Great Grandparents for Christmas. We loaded up and were on the road by 6am. We met Grandma, Grandpa and Great Grandma C at IHOP for breakfast and then we went back to her house for a while. The boys got to open a present (of course they were happy with that!) and then run around outside with Grandma.

Then it was to the farm for some play time and naps before heading to Great Grandma & Great Grandpa S. The boys did really great for dinner and hanging out. Of course, they got a few more little presents (monster trucks and noise making cars) so they had fun playing with them. The boys were so pooped from the day that we had a nice quiet drive home. A quick busy day but awesome to see everyone.

Chasing after Grandma

Cole's little legs just can't quite keep up.

One of my favorite pictures ever of Grandma C and the boys.

Great Grandma C

my Grandma C

Checking on the donkeys and goats

Hello Donkeys!

Hanging out with Grandpa.

Monster trucks at Great Grandma & Great Grandpa S's house

You know what makes them happy.

I made my Grandpa a snuggly blanket for Christmas.

I think he really liked it!! I told him that it would be like I was always giving him a hug. Love my Grandpa.

I made my Grandma one too.

She really liked it. Lots of pink (her favorite color) and green (my favorite color).

Me and my Grandma.

The boys playing with their trucks in the hallway. I remember playing in this hall A LOT while I was growing up.

The boys and Great Grandpa.

Me & my Grandparents.

This picture is so sweet to me. After over 60 years of marriage, my Grandpa still rubs Grandma's back, touches her hand....the sweet "I love you" touches. It is a joy every time I can witness his acts of love to her.

Visits with Santa and School Parties

Today Santa visited the boys' school and they each got to see him. I believe that he also read a book to each class while he was there. So awesome that Santa comes to see them at school!!

This afternoon was also their class Christmas parties. Eli's class sang a few songs and then each child took turns telling what they wanted for Christmas. Each one drew a picture of what they wanted. I saw requests for castles and reindeer so I was happy to see that Eli's picture was of a monster truck (what else right?!). Parties are always so much fun - treats, juice and leaving school early.

Eli & Santa

Cole & Santa

Santa's little helper

Such a cute face!!

Cole & Chloe - Cole absolutely loves the chance to drink juice boxes.

Cute face

Mommy & Eli

Big smooch!!

Class songs - I think this one was Frosty the Snowman.

Cole & Ms. Denise (Eli's teacher) - the boys LOVE Ms. Denise.

Mommy's boys

Merry Christmas!!!

This week - random pictures

STILL love this hat on Eli.

Cole decided that Monkey Jim needed a diaper change.

And Eli was there to help.

All clean and dry!

New clothes from Grandma & Grandpa N.

Best shot I could get of Cole's new clothes - more floor / tantrum time.