Hampton's Belly Laugh

White Christmas

Today has been magical. We greeted Everett this morning with his new Thomas the Train. He was so excited!

Morning festivities continued as we ate orange rolls and opened stockings......

Everett was so thrilled with each item. "Wow look at these crayons!" "Wow. Fruit snacks!" He also got a miniature Slinky, lip balm, and chocolate in his stocking. I think he was the most excited about the lip balm and kept offering us some throughout the day. We caught him several times licking it, so we never obliged.

We then opened a couple of gifts.

Everett loved tearing up the paper.

Hampton decided that today he was going to try extra hard at this crawling thing. He actually started scooting and army crawling!

We love soups, so today we decided to make two different kinds: mushroom wild rice consomme and French onion. They were both so good!

As if Christmas wasn't going any better, it started snowing! A white Christmas! Eric measured and we were at almost 4 inches by noon! It kept snowing heavily throughout the day.

I think Hampton had a good first Christmas.

The boys ended the day with their favorite thing: a bubble bath!

Today was full of memory-making, relaxing, playing, eating, and fun. I am trying to cherish each moment as so many tell me it goes by fast. Merry Christmas!!!

This Christmas Eve......

Today has been good. This morning we drove to Greenville, SC and met our good friends for brunch at Mimi's Cafe. We love Mimis and have missed it since moving from Louisville. The babies did so well! Hampton was so intrigued with Silas who is his same age.

Everett and Wyatt are close to the same age as well. They were so cute together!

The only one missing is Silas! He was in his carrier.

We had a bit of a stressful drive home as it was nap time and Hampton completely lost it! It was still worth it though. When we got home both babes took a nap and when Everett got up he got a very special treat. A gingerbread cookie!

Tonight we are watching Christmas movies and eating pizza. Before Everett went to bed we read The Night Before Christmas and Eric shared the birth of Jesus. It was sweet time together and I am so looking forward to tomorrow!

Gingerbread Houses and Christmas Fun

The past couple of days have been full of Christmas fun. Everett and Hampton's Gigi came to visit yesterday and the boys had their Christmas with her.

Hampton got a few toys that are all his own!

Everett really loved his new toys as well. Especially his Thomas the train blocks set.

Today we went to the Grove Park Inn to see the Gingerbread House Competition. This is so fun and they do it every year.

They were all so good. Everett and Hampton did so well waiting in the long line.

Here are some of our favorites......

Eric really loved the Frank Lloyd Wright house.......

It is so hard to get a good picture with two squirmy babies. I got a good one of Eric and the boys.

Couldn't quite got a good picture and me and the boys.

Everett was repeatedly requesting a cookie, so we went to the bakery and indulged.

I think the highlight for Everett was the huge fireplace. He sat down next to it and did not want to leave. The fireplace is in the lobby, which was very busy so I think he just enjoyed watching all the people. After we left the resort we drove around looking at the Christmas lights. It was such a calm, peaceful ride home. We even stopped by Chick-fil-A to pick up some dinner for Everett. A lovely evening indeed.

Another Santa Encounter Gone Wrong

So we tried to get a picture with Santa again on Saturday. We went to the mall this time. Hampton did fine, but Everett definitely flaked out. I am thinking it was either low blood sugar (it was near lunch time), the wait in line, or he just really does not like Santa Claus. Either way, we didn't get a picture and I am okay with that. I have mentioned before his love of characters and I still thinks this is true because once we left Santa, the Chick-fil-a cow greeted us and he was a bit nervous, but also excited. They were also handing out free samples of chicken and he walked up to the lady and asked for one. He's so cute.

I did get this picture though.....

and this one!

Looking forward to more Christmas fun throughout the week!

Play Group

Just like his hair, Everett can be pretty wild.......

Or maybe I shouldn't use the word wild, but passionate about life. This morning he slept in until 9 and then ate 2 waffles and a whole banana!

Later in the morning we hosted a playgroup for toddlers Everetts age. Everett was so wild, I mean passionate about having friends over.

He did really well though. He shared his toys and was so sweet. It is so funny to me though how if I am busy and he is asking me for something, if I don't get to him quick enough he'll just go to the next mama.

He got in this really cute pose with Hampton, but I just wasn't quick enough getting my camera.

Hampton did so great as well. He just likes watching all the big kids play. This is also his new facial expression and it causes me to fall even harder in love.

Everett was the perfect host as he stood at the front door saying goodbye and offering hugs as the children left. His favorite phrase for a departure is "see ya later!"

Two Little Reasons......

Two little reasons why I feel like the most blessed girl/woman/lady (what are you exactly when you're almost 30?) in the world......

Reason number 1
Reason number 2

And I also just happen to love little snowflake bottoms......

Winter Wonderland

It snowed last night turning our world into a Winter wonderland. Everett was so excited!

I felt like I was in Narnia.....

I was happy that the snow plow came within hours.

While Hampton was taking his morning nap, we went out to play in the snow. Ev looked so cute in all his snow gear.

His gloves kept coming off, so we'll have to get some better ones. He loved it when I would make a snowball and then throw it against the fence.

Our version of sledding.....

And Eric did a great job of making a snowman.

After fun in the snow, Everett took a nice, warm bubble bath.

While our clothes dried by the fire.....

For lunch we had grilled cheese and hot chocolate.....

The boys took long afternoon naps and then Hampton enjoyed Eric playing him Christmas carols on the guitar.

The day ended perfectly with fireside smores and a movie.

Another fun day of making family memories. In Everett's words, "It was snow fun!"