Well it isn't because it wasn't a VERY important day (or series of days)... it's just that between life and computer issues it never happened! So today (and probably tomorrow and the next day too), between playing with Ben and picking up toys, laundry, etc. I will blog about Christmas(and include a few pics of the boys choosing their very special tree)!
Before I get to the Christmas festivities. I must show pictures of my men selecting and cutting down the "perfect" tree across the street from our house. We decided to go the Charlie Brown route this year with a 7 foot Charlie Brown tree! It wasn't our prettiest tree ever, but it was definitely the boy's most favorite tree ever!
We celebrated Christmas with my side of the family on the night before Christmas Eve day and Christmas Eve day! Me with my kiddos and Jen with hers (our hubbies too)enjoyed spending this special and chaotic time with Nana and Papa Doc! We ate yummy food and played and yelled and ran through the house like crazies and had a fabulous time! Christmas Eve morning the kiddos were up and ready to open presents (they all looked cute in their matching jammies given to them by Nana & Papa Doc)! That in itself was crazy and fun. After the whirlwind of flying paper, laughter, and thank yous we began playing with all of the new loot and getting ready for a yummy Christmas lunch! Late that afternoon we left and headed back to Glenwood to get everything all ready for Santa's arrival!
Well, thank goodness SANTA CAME! Wahoo, I guess Elf told Santa the boys had been pretty good this year. I always love seeing their faces as they slowly discover the loot that Santa left! Ben was still kind of confused, following his bubas around and checking everything out. Zachy was bouncing from one thing to the next, exclaiming "Nate look at this".... every other breath! And Nate was cute too as he excitedly exclaimed several times,"this is the best Christmas ever!" Among many other things: Nate got a 22 shot gun (what was santa thinking); Zachy got a dinosaur named Screecher; and Ben got a electric Thomas the Train!
Throughout this season I tried to remind the boys to remember what the "greatest gift ever given was"... Jesus. This year I thought a lot about the faith and the unquestionable belief that little ones have in Jesus and Santa and the wonder and delight in which they revel in the stories of both Jesus and Santa. My greatest wish is that my children at age 55 could have those same feelings about Jesus Christ... child-like faith, delight, and wonder.... that we all could. I know that Santa is secular but I truly believe that the secular and the religious can be blended together at Christmas in a way that celebrates emphasizes giving and miracles!
On to the next event... Nana and Papa Doc & Grandma and Grandpa came up Christmas afternoon for a very nontraditional Christmas dinner... Spaghetti and our traditional birthday cake for Jesus! The boys enjoyed showing off their loot and we enjoyed being with family. That night we had Christmas with the O's and were very excited that they were able to spend some time with us. The evening following Christmas Day we went to Garvan Gardens with George, Mom and Dad, and Jen, Rich and kiddos. It was beautiful and we enjoyed seeing the wonderful display of lights (Tim, Judy, and Ben stayed home because they were all feeling crummy)!
The next day, the boys and I, along with Nana and Papa Doc, went to LR to spend the afternoon celebrating Christmas with my grandparents and family. Words cannot convey how much I love my Memaw and Papa and how they inspire me in so many ways!
Before I get to the Christmas festivities. I must show pictures of my men selecting and cutting down the "perfect" tree across the street from our house. We decided to go the Charlie Brown route this year with a 7 foot Charlie Brown tree! It wasn't our prettiest tree ever, but it was definitely the boy's most favorite tree ever!
We celebrated Christmas with my side of the family on the night before Christmas Eve day and Christmas Eve day! Me with my kiddos and Jen with hers (our hubbies too)enjoyed spending this special and chaotic time with Nana and Papa Doc! We ate yummy food and played and yelled and ran through the house like crazies and had a fabulous time! Christmas Eve morning the kiddos were up and ready to open presents (they all looked cute in their matching jammies given to them by Nana & Papa Doc)! That in itself was crazy and fun. After the whirlwind of flying paper, laughter, and thank yous we began playing with all of the new loot and getting ready for a yummy Christmas lunch! Late that afternoon we left and headed back to Glenwood to get everything all ready for Santa's arrival!
Well, thank goodness SANTA CAME! Wahoo, I guess Elf told Santa the boys had been pretty good this year. I always love seeing their faces as they slowly discover the loot that Santa left! Ben was still kind of confused, following his bubas around and checking everything out. Zachy was bouncing from one thing to the next, exclaiming "Nate look at this".... every other breath! And Nate was cute too as he excitedly exclaimed several times,"this is the best Christmas ever!" Among many other things: Nate got a 22 shot gun (what was santa thinking); Zachy got a dinosaur named Screecher; and Ben got a electric Thomas the Train! 
Throughout this season I tried to remind the boys to remember what the "greatest gift ever given was"... Jesus. This year I thought a lot about the faith and the unquestionable belief that little ones have in Jesus and Santa and the wonder and delight in which they revel in the stories of both Jesus and Santa. My greatest wish is that my children at age 55 could have those same feelings about Jesus Christ... child-like faith, delight, and wonder.... that we all could. I know that Santa is secular but I truly believe that the secular and the religious can be blended together at Christmas in a way that celebrates emphasizes giving and miracles!
On to the next event... Nana and Papa Doc & Grandma and Grandpa came up Christmas afternoon for a very nontraditional Christmas dinner... Spaghetti and our traditional birthday cake for Jesus! The boys enjoyed showing off their loot and we enjoyed being with family. That night we had Christmas with the O's and were very excited that they were able to spend some time with us. The evening following Christmas Day we went to Garvan Gardens with George, Mom and Dad, and Jen, Rich and kiddos. It was beautiful and we enjoyed seeing the wonderful display of lights (Tim, Judy, and Ben stayed home because they were all feeling crummy)!
The next day, the boys and I, along with Nana and Papa Doc, went to LR to spend the afternoon celebrating Christmas with my grandparents and family. Words cannot convey how much I love my Memaw and Papa and how they inspire me in so many ways!
