Merry Christmas!

On Christmas Eve, the boys and I started out the day at the grocery store. It was the first time Henry was big enough to ride in the taxi car with Thomas. I felt like I had arrived...grocery shopping just got a whole lot easier. Please notice that Henry only wanted to steer Thomas's wheel, however. Thomas was very patient with him.

 

 

I mean, how cute is this little bug. I started calling Henry "bugaboo" when he was really little and over time it has just become "bug."

 

When we got home, we decorated our Christmas cookies for Santa.

 

This year, we went to the children's service at Church. It was chaos - there were probably over 250 kids there. It was so loud that it was hard to hear the ministers. They show a cute video and sing carols. The boys were SO good...like regular service good. Thomas enjoyed all of the cute things in the goody bag that they gave all of the children and Henry just enjoyed the bag. :)

 

After Church, we went to Mimi and Tino's house. We actually got a great family picture...these days this is almost impossible.

 

Please notice Thomas's outfit...this is the first time he has worn a button down shirt and pants with a button and zipper. I almost cried when we got him dressed because he looked so grown up...and fratty.

 

After BooBoo showed Thomas the Santa tracker app and Santa was in Iceland and only 1.5 hours away, he insisted that we go home quickly to get in bed. The fastest bedtime we have ever had! And he was right...Santa came right after they went to bed. Our boys must have been very good this year because they got exactly what they wanted and more.

 

Thomas got his UGA football helmet, jersey and "silver britches" complete with pads. He also got a "Georgia" tricycle, coat, pjs, DVDs and books. Henry got a walker, clothes, mini football, phone and lots of baby toys. Both boys were over the moon and have been playing with new toys non-stop.

 

 

Look at this smile!

 

He could hardly wait for the sun to come up so he could go outside and ride his new tricycle.

 

Mimi, Tino and BooBoo came over to visit and see what Santa brought. Even BooBoo tried on Thomas's helmet.

 

 

Santa brought Tino a new train for Christmas. Thomas had fun checking out all of the new stuff.

 

Look at this happy boy...this is how I occupy him while I take a shower. At least we have some new toys!

 

We went back to Mimi and Tino's on Christmas morning to open gifts. Henry loves his new books.

 

 

The football helmet came with us, of course.

 

Thomas ran into the edge of the counter during the 5 seconds we wasn't wearing his helmet so he was using an ice pack to make it better.

 

Wearing Daddy's hat.

 

Family pictures at my cousin's house for the Thompson-Shea Christmas.

 

A new twist on a facemask penalty, I guess.

 

The Stines came over Christmas night to eat dinner and play. Rebecca's family came down with the flu so they were all sick for Christmas. I hate that they were sick but we sure did love having them over. The boys play so well together.

 

Today we have had a lazy day of playing with Christmas toys and lounging in pjs. A great end to a wonderful Christmas.

A Gingerbread House and Christmas in Georgia

We have been very busy this holiday season in between being very sick. Henry had a bronchiolitis similar to RSV and then a double ear infection. I had a terrible case of bronchitis and cracked two ribs coughing. Thomas and Patrick have been puny with coughs but didn't fall like we did. We've been on the mend since Saturday and very grateful this Christmas to be healthy.

 

A few weeks ago, we decorated a gingerbread house at the MCC - such a cute event.

 

 

Mimi joined us and we had brunch afterwards. This is definitely going to be an annual event.

 

Thomas worked very hard but ate more candy than he used to decorate his house.

 

Proud of his gingerbread house!

 

 

On Friday, we drove to Georgia. Poor Henry woke up in the middle of the night before we left with 102 degree fever and what I knew was an ear infection. Lucky for us, Sandersville has a doctor that makes housecalls so we were able to meet him as soon as we got into town. Turned out to be a double ear infection and he was all better after just one dose of antibiotics.

 

Nana and Papa with the boys.

 

Thomas loves to throw the rope for their dog, Brandy.

 

Look at this sweet face. He spent lots of time being the "conductor" of Papa's train.

 

Unwrapping presents!

 

Aunt Beth and Uncle Harry were in town for the weekend, so we were able to spend some time with them. They had not met Henry before this weekend.

 

Grandmother with her two great-grandchildren.

 

A family shot...Lindsey is a new addition this year. We are so excited to have her in the family.

 

Lucky for me, Lindsey loves children and babies. I was able to get some rest while we were in town while she and everyone else played with the kiddos.

 

Happy Boys

The weekend before Thanksgiving, Patrick went hunting for opening weekend of duck season. That weekend, all three of my guys were in heaven...

 

The first day, they all got limits by 9:30. A duck hunter's dream.

 

Thomas spent the night with Mimi and BooBoo and as you can tell, he had the best time!

 

And this little guy got to snuggle with Mama all night since we were the only ones home.

 

 

Three happy boys for sure!

 

7 months and Catching Up

This little guy was 7 months old on November 30th. He is still a happy baby but definitely as opinionated as his big brother. He loves baby food, his silver bell rattle, water bottles, his paci, his lamb lovey, napping with Mommy and anything Thomas is playing with. He is starting to lunge for things and scoot around in a circle on his belly. I am trying to cherish the last of my days with a baby that isn't mobile.

 

 

On Thanksgiving night, Henry got a fever and an ear infection. Poor baby was pitiful and only wanted to sleep in my arms all day that Friday. I took him to the LeBonheur minor med and they made me put him in the little hospital gown. What a cute little patient.

 

 

The other day, he jumped so hard at Mimi and Tino's that he fell asleep in the Johnny Jumper.

 

 

I took Thomas to see the 3D Christmas IMAX movie at the Pink Palace. We love taking selfies of the two of us in our silly glasses.

 

 

Last Saturday morning, we had a Mommy-son date day at the Botanic Garden's breakfast with Santa with Amanda and Charlie. It was so much fun! They did a great job with activities from the Frozen characters and themed crafts, to storytime by a bonfire, a snow machine and of course, the big guy himself. It was such a treat to spend time with just Thomas.

 

I am amazed at how big these two boys have gotten. They are still the best of friends.

 

 

 

Our Elf,  Polar Bear, has been creative lately thanks to some help from my better half. :) He was roasting marshmallows when we woke up the other morning.

 

 

Whimsy Cookie has a mailbox for the North Pole. We stopped by for a cookie (YUM) and to write and mail our letter. Santa is supposed to write us back, too!

Another PJ picture in front of the tree.

 

 

Tuesday night was the Children's Christmas party at the MCC. Always a fun event and this year was no different.

 

 

This was the first time that Henry cried when he saw Santa. I think he had enough time this visit to soak in the fact that Santa looks a little strange.

 

In a deep conversation with Santa about his football helmet.

 

Thomas decorated an apron this year. He got to wear his apron when he decorated cookies. Very cute idea!

 

Ready to go ride the horse drawn carriage with Daddy. Twins...

 

Ellie rode with them. Thomas loves Ellie!