Santa was here!

We had such a great Christmas morning!! Santa stopped by and apparently Cole was right, Santa did wrap presents this year! And I guess the lists by their stockings worked because Santa left exactly what the boys asked for. We were able to get the boys to bed at a reasonable hour last night but they were super excited. Eli came downstairs at about 4:15 and wanted to get up for presents. No way buddy! So I went upstairs with him to get some more sleep. However, before we started walking up the stairs, he stopped to show me that Santa brought him a football goal. Boy was super happy! Thankfully I got him back upstairs and we all got to sleep another two hours. By 6:30, Eli & Cole were both up and ready to open presents. It was so fun to watch them and really fun to see their different approaches. We tried to get them to open one at a time and take turns. That lasted for a present or two. Eli started with his stocking and Cole was tearing paper off at the word Go. =) 

Both boys got a Lego, something sporty and something outside. Then they got a movie, matching undies and books. Very simple but wonderful. They loved it and I'm very glad Santa wrapped presents. It made it last longer and was so fun. And I learned a neat trick from Pinterest - see that big box at the fireplace with Santa hat wrapping paper? An empty box to put the trash wrapping paper. Super awesome right? It keeps it all so clean in the pictures! 

We enjoyed a late breakfast and fun family time. Breakfast was awesome because instead of a blessing, we sang Happy Birthday to Jesus. Perfect!! The boys were so exhausted by lunch that we had to force naps on them so they could handle more Christmas fun with Grandma & Grandpa N - who arrived while they were napping. Let the celebration continue......

Oh goodness - Santa was definitely here!!

Eli's gifts

Cole's gifts

Eli was BEYOND excited to get a football goal. 

Eli surprised me and went for his stocking first. 

Cole was more excited to open presents first - super excited to get the Coast Guard boat he had been asking for!

Jedi Lego - way to go Santa!

Cole got the 'Planes' movie (and matching underwear!)

and Eli got 'Star Wars' dvds (and matching underwear!!)

Very happy to get the NFL football that was on his list

Soccer ball!!

Our little soccer boy - ball and practice cones

Santa surprised them both with tv/movie watching bean bag chairs - super cool!

Daddy got two books that he had been wanting. 

And a new bike vest from Mommy. A vest is not one of those every ride things but is really nice when it's breezy!

Coast Guard boat!

Jedi Lego build

and Coast Guard boat build 

Daddy ended up having to help

and Cole was very happy when it was built!

Snuggled with his football blanket by the fire.

We attempted to watch 'Star Wars' - it only lasted a little while. 

Christmas Eve

Tonight we went to Christmas Eve service at our Church's second campus (not where we go every Sunday). We opted to go to the 4pm service and it was PACKED! We got there early and had seats but  when they asked if kids wanted to sit on the floor between the pews and altar, I went up with the boys. That then put Tim coming to the front row. Never thought Tim would be in the front row but he didn't have a choice. We sang a lot of songs and then had a brief message. The boys did great. At the end, we sang 'Silent Night' not but candlelight but by glow stick light! The kids loved it. 

After dinner, the boys were super excited to put out cookies and milk for Santa. Eli also wanted to make sure that there was no room for error in Santa's delivery. He put his stocked with his Christmas list where he wanted his gifts to be left. Cole, of course, did the same thing. I guess that's the best way to make sure the right gift is delivered to you. =) We got the boys to bed and now it's time for our silent night.......

My handsome boys

Family photo 1

Take 2

Cookies and milk for Santa

Cole's stocking and his list - Coast Guard boat

Eli's stocking and his list - Football goal post, NFL football and Lego Jedi

More presents....

Today the boys were thrilled to open more presents. I know that's hard to believe but they were! It has been driving them crazy to see gifts under the tree with their name on it and not be able to open them. We try to space gift opening out every year and it seems like we've come up with a good plan. This past weekend was Christmas at the farm. Yesterday we let them open gifts from friends that had been shipped and arrived in the mail. Today we let them open gifts from us and their gifts to each other. Tomorrow morning will be Santa's time and then we'll celebrate with Grandma & Grandpa N tomorrow afternoon / evening. Spacing it out allows us to enjoy it all and not feel overwhelmed. 

Cool gear from Aunt Cary! 

Eli loved the Dartmouth clothes from Holly, Jon, Jack & Casey - our friends in Vermont

When the boys woke up this morning, Elfie Jim had started opening presents and gave them permission to open these presents early.......football slippers!

Happy with his Marine lamp

A new devotional book for the year ahead (we did Bible reading every day this year)

Cole got his own Day by Day Bible

Artic Lamp - the boys love these in their rooms

Excited to give Daddy his presents

Can't remember what they said but Cole's reaction is funny

Love Daddy and Daddy's new football lounge pants

This year the boys picked out gifts for each other. I took them individually to the store and it was awesome to watch them pick out something that their brother would like. Cole got Eli a travel football set - sort of a table top one. 

Eli got Cole a helicopter and a Lego mini-figure

Making his mini-figure

and playing with his football game (notice the new slippers!)

Christmas at the Farm

After Eli's game, we headed down to the farm to celebrate Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa C and the rest of the family. It was a great evening of food, family and presents. Mom made a ton of yummy food and of course, we had more lemon lime punch to drink than we could stand. =)  Absolute best of all was that it was the first Christmas with all FIVE grandsons together at my Parents' house. I think my Mom was in Grandma Heaven. It's crazy to think that Eli is the oldest of the five and I'm looking forward to all the future craziness between the boys. Eli and Cole absolutely love their little cousins and it's so sweet to watch them interact. After dinner and present openings, Eli & Cole got to open their Christmas pjs and watch 'Turbo' with Grandma & Grandpa. Such a fun movie. We all enjoyed it. 

Grandma's Christmas tree (and lots of presents!)

Eli & Cole were goofing off and "brother-ing" in the recliner and eventually flipped it over.

With all their cousins, the only shot we got - poor Connor wasn't happy at all

Everyone was excited when presents started....

AIr hockey from Grandma & Grandpa

The boys were super happy with their Panthers toboggans.

Going to have some Battleship fun. 

Grandpa was happy with his gift - $$ to get whatever he wants. 

And Grandma got a little of her own. =) 

Super cool wrapping from my crafty SIL Erin

Photo Bomb!!

Happy Little K (I can't always tell which one, thankfully they're both K's!)

My brother Jeff, Erin, Keegan and Kaleb

Silly Cole - he's learning all that he can do

Sweet picture of Grandpa with Connor

In front of Grandma's tree in their new pjs

Our family photo

Ready to watch 'Turbo' with Grandma & Grandpa

My brother Billy, Niki and Connor

Mom and Dad - affectionately known as Grandma and Grandpa C

Sunday morning we hung out at the farm for a little bit and then went to see my Grandparents  - the boys' Great Grandparents. It is always great to see them and visit. I remember every year how as a little girl, I would study the Sears Wish Book at my Grandparents' house. I don't recall ever writing a Christmas list (I'm sure I did) but did tell Santa every year what I wanted. I also remember celebrating many Christmases at my Grandparents. It seems different now that we're parents and are starting traditions / making memories with the boys but also really fun. Tim & I have memories of our childhood and are enjoying making memories of the boys' childhoods. We've got so much fun ahead!!

Love Grandpa! 

Playing a little early morning air hockey

Grandma's boys

Love their new Panthers shirts from Uncle Billy & Aunt Niki

Grandma & Grandpa's cabin

Great Grandma C - such a sweet picture

Great Grandma S

Great Grandpa S