Christmas, Round 1!

What a busy week! It's hard to believe Christmas is this week and all of the magic of the season will be gone again until next year. We're trying to soak it all in here...it's our favorite time of year and we hate for it to be over!

Tuesday Jo had Santa at her house! She knows Santa well, so it was very interesting to hear him talking to the kids...he knew the ins and outs of what had been going on with them lately! Santa asked Zane about Buzz, our elf, and about the day Buzz was hiding in the house because he and Matt were in their underwear! Santa reminded Zane to be good for Mom, Dad, Jo, and school, and reminded him that if he was naughty he may get socks or potatoes! Zane did a great job talking to Santa and asked him for a "blue Lightning." Mason sat long enough for a couple of photos, then wanted nothing to do with him!

Jo had tons of food and drinks prepared for us! Santa brought gifts for all of the kids and the kids exchanged names and got gifts for one another. It was a lot of fun! Afterwards, we went out to eat with the Ottis family. We got quite a few stares as our kids were LOUD...they were tired and hungry...not a good combination!

The boys with Santa

Santa talking to Zane
Jo's kids with Santa

This weekend was Round One of three rounds for Christmas gatherings. Friday evening we headed to Matt's parents' house. We have no snow here in KC...and it was reported to us that there were "mountains of snow" in Iowa...so Zane was very excited to head that way. We had to go to Target to get snow pants and heavy coats so the boys could play in the snow! Saturday morning we went out for just a short time so they could get a snow fix! Zane loved it...Mason not so much! He hated being bundled up so much!

Big and Zane in the snow

King of the mountain!

The boys on a big snow pile!

Mason's first time playing in the snow

After playing in the snow, we headed to Grandma Baker's house. We ate snacks most of the afternoon while we waited for everyone to arrive. Then we opened gifts, ate, and played games. It was so fun watching Zane open all of his gifts. For every single gift, he said "Oh, I've been wanting this!" or "I've been asking for this!" One time he came over to me and said, "Oh boy!" It just warms your heart! Mason was more into walking around and trying to make everyone laugh...he's the life of the party! He was also on full-graze mode, as he always had someone giving him something to eat...the poor boy's stomach was huge by the end of the night!

Ready for presents!

Posing with one of many great gifts!

Licking his lollipop and singing his Jolly Phonics song for "l" from school!

Mason swinging on Grandma's new swing

Porter, Zane, Mason, Tate...they had such a good time together!

All the grandkids with Grandma and Pa!

Sunday we headed to Grandma/pa Beggs' house for more food, presents, games, and fun! Again, Zane was truly excited for every present he opened and I just enjoyed listening to the joy coming from him! He and Keaton played really well together! Baby Kenna, who is now 6 weeks old, was there, and Zane was all over her! He kept hugging and kissing her, asking where she was, and when I asked him if we needed another baby, he said, "we need this kind (a girl)." Oh boy!

Mason & Keaton

Zane & Keaton playing their new Spongebob games

The bathroom was full...so off to the great outdoors!

Look at the concentration...trying to put the straw in the bottle

Matt being creative...

Mason "exercising" at the end of the day...

Buzz decided he wanted to go to Iowa with us...he somehow made it into our van! He was at Grandma Farmer's, Grandma Baker's, and Grandma Beggs'! Zane was so excited to see him wherever we went!

My grandma and grandpa are doing really well right now! They are both going to be released soon. Grandpa has worked very hard and is ready to be moved out of rehab. Grandma still has to be in rehab, but is being moved out of the hospital. After they are both released from rehab, they will be going to an assisted living facility. I am very glad for this as it will be a lot less worry and stress on Mom and Grandma/pa. Thank you for aking about them and keeping them in your prayers!

Our next post will be after Christmas, so we hope that you are able to enjoy the magic of the season as we are! Happy holidays to all of you...spend it with those you love!