Ready for Christmas!

We had so much fun decorating for Christmas this past weekend!  The boys each have their own little tree this year to keep in their room.  They loved decorating them with the little ornaments we found!  Grandma and Grandpa were here and Mimi and Papa came over for pizza so everyone got to join in the tree decorating!  We have all the ornaments from every year when I was a kid and all the ones Drew and Jack have collected each year, too.  It's always fun to get them all out and reminisce about when we got them all!  Both boys are really getting into Christmas this year.  Drew was super excited to get all the Christmas stuff out and Jack is at the age where he is really understanding it all for the first time, so they had a blast!  When we were hanging up the stockings, Jack put one on his foot like a sock!  It was hilarious but he took it off too quick for me to get a picture.  He also keeps screaming, "It's CHRISTMASTIME!!!"  Oh yeah - he has also just learned to take his shirt and pants off by himself, so that explains why he was decorating the Christmas tree in his diaper.  :)

All finished with our little trees!

"I'm Santa - what do you want?!" (yes, that's what he was going around saying!)

Dancing around the kitchen to the Christmas music!

Fun times with Grandma and Grandpa

Christmas Tree Time!

We have a family tradition of cutting down our Christmas tree every year with Mimi, Papa, Ryan, Susie and Sam.  We all met for breakfast at Cracker Barrell first and then headed to Reindeer Lane Christmas Tree Farm!  After lots of searching we found the perfect tree - and probably the biggest one we have ever had!  Drew helped Daddy cut it down and Jack and Sam had tons of fun riding around on the sled that is actually meant for carrying the trees.  :)  After we found the tree, we went inside for popcorn and hot chocolate and the boys got to see Santa for the first time!  Jack went right up to him and told him he wants a Lightning McQueen race track and a big "Mack".  Drew didn't say much but told me later that Santa has been hearing him talk about what he wants for a long time.  :)  Before we headed home we took a wagon ride pulled by two beautiful horses!  Drew and Jack got to ride up front with the driver.  It was a perfect way to start the Christmas season!

Playing checkers at Cracker Barrell!

Sam and Mimi

We found the perfect tree!

Cousins!

Jack and Sam showed up in the same fleece!

Elfie Has Arrived!

The boys were so excited to see that "Elfie" is back to visit this year!  He watches over them each day and reports to Santa at night to tell him how good they have been!  Drew has been telling Elfie what he wants for Christmas so he can relay the message to Santa.  :)  That Elfie sure is sneaky - so far he's been on the mantel, the shelf in the kitchen, the candleholder and today he was in the Christmas tree!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a great Thanksgiving with lots of family!  We stopped by my family's get-together first to see everyone but didn't stay to eat.  Brian's parents were in town so we had Thanksgiving dinner at Brad and Rachel's house.  It was a delicious feast and such a beautiful day that we even got to play outside a little bit.  We have SO much to be thankful for this year.  I am reminded every day of how blessed I am to have a wonderful husband, 2 healthy, beautiful boys and amazing parents and parents-in-law!  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

The Spotts clan

Drew's after-dinner position! 

Jack and Grandpa hanging out after dinner.  Poor Jack was tired with only a 10 minute in the car!

Playing football outside with Uncle Kevin

Me and my boy!

The Zimmerman Family

Basketball!

Drew started playing basketball a few weeks ago.  He is very excited because Daddy is the coach!  I took a few pictures tonight of them warming up, dribbling, and practicing offense and defense.  The pics aren't very good because it was kind of dark in there.  Drew is getting pretty good at shooting the ball and dribbling/playing defense!  They have another month of practices before their games start in January.  Go Sharks!!

Stretching before practice!

Push ups - Jack had to join in!

Getting some dribbling instruction from Daddy

They played a little "game" with the parents at the end - here is Drew guarding Daddy

Thanksgiving Feast!

Drew had a "Friendship Feast" at school today!  I snuck out during my kids' recess and lunch and ran up to school to join them!  All the kindergartners were either Pilgrims or Indians - Drew chose to be an Indian.  They had lots of yummy food to eat and he even tried pumpkin pie for dessert (not a fan).  They all looked so cute!  Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy 50th Birthday, Gail!

This weekend was my aunt Gail's 50th birthday!  The whole family surprised her with a dinner at Gem on the Liberty square.  It was a fun night! 

Cousins!  Jack trying to hug Sam - he's not too into it.  :)

Surprise!!!

Drew and Emma had a great time!

Drew and his Godmommy Gail!