Christmas, Round 2!

I can hardly believe Christmas is over! It is our favorite time of year and it is so disappointing to us when it is over! There is so much planning, organizing, shopping, baking, decorating, wrapping, etc, etc, and it's all over in the blink of an eye!

I had to work Monday-Wednesday. Matt and I both had Wednesday through the end of the week off. We had some last-minute shopping and baking to do, so it was nice to have the extra time off. It started raining Wednesday, then froze overnight. Thursday it was rainy and cold. Matt waited in line for an hour at Honeybaked Ham to get a ham for Christmas dinner. He didn't take a coat...as always...and suffered in the cold. He said a lady offered him her blanket, but he kindly let her keep it! The weather kept getting worse as the day went on, and we weren't sure if we were going to get to go home for Christmas! We went to church at 4:00 and both boys stayed downstairs so we were able to enjoy church without interruptions! During church, we began hearing sleet on the windows...which made us even more nervous about Christmas. Luckily we didn't have to be anywhere until Christmas evening.

Zane went to check on Mason after his nap...this is what we found!

When we got home, we ate supper, got in our jammies, and settled in to watch "A Christmas Story." Zane is getting good at quoting that movie! Before bed, we set out a cookie and milk for Santa, put the reindeer food outside, and told Buzz good-bye. We did not realize how traumatic it would be to tell Buzz good-bye until next year...Zane was sobbing! I think he was overly tired, but it was so sad! At first he did not want Buzz, but he (and the rest of us), got pretty attached to our little friend! We are anxious to see him next year! Friday morning I kept waiting and waiting for Zane to wake up! He finally got up about 8:00 and the first thing he did was look downstairs and tell me, "Mom, Santa came!"

Santa came to our house!

Our yearly photo on the stairs
Zane waiting patiently...
Zane's first gift...he was excited!



Mason's first gift...and he's not as excited!


What great hand/eye coordination!
Zane with his remote controlled Wall-E

Matt thanking Zane for a present

Zane told Buzz that Matt wanted a pink tutu...Buzz told Santa!

The aftermath...

Present-opening only took about an hour...much too quick in our eyes! Matt says we need to have more kids so it will last longer! Or, another option is that we are only allowed to open one gift per hour...and have it last all day! Not sure if either of those are great solutions! After gifts were open, we had cinnamon rolls, then Mason took a nap while Zane played with his new toys. We began packing and getting ready to head to Iowa. After Mason's nap, we had our ham for dinner, then started loading everything in the van. We weren't sure how the ride would be, but we just took our time and drove cautiously. The roads weren't too bad, but it did take us an extra hour to get back. Once in Iowa, we went to my parents' house. Aaron, Michele, and Adam were all there and had been hanging out all day. As soon as we got there, Zane wanted to go play in the snow! There was lots of it for him to enjoy! Dad took him sledding, then he ran around and climbed up some of the piles of snow. This one is on their back porch. He used it as a slide!

Zane on the "mountain" of snow

Mason loves to play the piano...LOUD!

Once everyone was inside and warmed up, we opened gifts. We were spoiled, as always, and are very thankful that everyone was so kind to us!

We always have to take a bow-headed picture!

Zane put a bow on himself and told me he was my present!

Zane got this wiggle car and Mason was pushing it all over the house!

Mason's "do" after his bath

Papa with his 2 boys...

Saturday we got up and headed out to Matt's parents' for Christmas with them. We ate dinner, Mason took a nap while Zane went out and played in the snow, and then it was time to open more presents. We were again spoiled and got many many nice things. This year we got a family gift...a wii! Marcy has had one for awhile and has always brought it with her when she comes home, so Zane is very familiar (and good) with it! We were excited to get to play games at home! Our new favorite game is wii Sports Resort!

"Open this for me, please mom!"

Both boys playing with Mason's new toy

All these new things...and still the box is the favorite!

Zane & Marcy having a tea partyMatt & Zane sword fighting...a new favorite game!

We had a fabulous Christmas! We enjoyed time with our boys, parents, and siblings. Those times are cherished by us and we wouldn't trade them for anything! Can't believe it's over...and time to take all of the decorations down. Seems like I just got them up!

Updates on grandparents...My grandma and grandpa are doing well. They both were in the hospital/rehab over Christmas, but are soon going to be moved to their new apartment. Matt's grandpa Beggs went to the hospital Tuesday with pneumonia. He stayed through Christmas and came home the day after. All are doing well now, but we did have 3 grandparents in the hospital for Christmas! Thanks for all your prayers directed at them!