Dear Santa...

Wow...37 weeks along...only 3 weeks until my due date...and that means only one week until Christmas and two until the New Year!  Where has time gone?  SOOOOO ready to cuddle this little guy, but know that I will dearly miss having him with me all the time and feeling the life inside of me.  I could give up all other aspects of pregnancy...but that is one thing that I love...the only part of the baby that only I get to experience!

36 weeks!

36 weeks with ALL of my boys!

They had to give Roger/Sambo kisses!!

Each year, Jo has Santa visit her house a week or so before Christmas.  He came on Thursday.  Zane has been waiting and waiting for this...telling me he couldn't wait to tell Santa at Jo's house what he wanted and talk to him.  On Thursday when I picked him up, he was SOOOOOOO excited...saying "I'm going to get my Beyblade stadium!"  I had to explain to him that Sant would probably bring him a little gift that day, but not the big gift he was asking for.  He didn't realize that...and I didn't want a meltdown or him acting unthankful for what he received.  When we got to Jo's, the little kids were all excited.  They were huddled around the snack table...imagine!  I was really wondering just how this would all go with Mason!

Braeden and Mason hanging out by the snacks...waiting for Santa!

The "big kids," Madelyn, Ryan, and Zane

Mason can talk the talk...saying he'll talk to Santa and sit by him and on and on...but he sure doesn't walk the walk!  He was eating, laughing, and having fun...until Santa walked in the door.  As long as he was far away, he was okay, but the minute I tried to have him come with me to go upstairs, he started screaming/crying!  Luckily Mary was there to save the day...she carried him upstairs and he calmed down.  Look at this poor kid's face...

STAY BACK!

Jo's kids!  Jo, Zane, Madelyn, Arthur, Nora, Mason, Vaughn, Ryan, Braeden, Aiden, Nicholas

Nora and Mason watching from afar.  (Mary and I joked that we need Santa at our house...Mason was super well-behaved while he was there!

Zane got a present!

A Hex Bug!

Mason was on the nice list too!

Binoculars!  At first he said, "I wanted a tractor!" to me, but I explained that is what he would probably get from Santa on Christmas morning.  He ended up "watching" Santa through these the rest of the time!

I really wanted a picture of the boys with Santa, but wasn't sure how that would go...again...Mary to the rescue...she took him up there and said she'd stand right by him.  He posed for us...(see Mary's arm hanging on tight) and I was able to get a shot with BOTH boys and Santa...and both smiling!  Yea!  He was so proud of himself!  Everyone told him good job and when he got back to the couch I told him I was proud and he said "Mom" and put his hand up for me to give him a high five!  So cute!

The boys with Santa

The boys with Jo

Friday evening Matt's Dad stopped by on his way home from St. Louis.  They had asked us earlier in the week if they could get the boys for the weekend so they could be at the Beggs Christmas (Matt's mom's side).  We had already decided that we should stay put in December...you never know when Roger will make his debut, and I'm too scared to be 2 hours away from the hospital!  So...he got the boys and headed to Iowa with them.  It has been SO quiet around here for 2 days!  We have gotten a ton of things done and it's been nice to just have the time to do them...without little hands messing it all up as soon as it's done!  We had time to run errands order a new car seat/stroller (found out ours expires this month...handy), I got a pedicure (heaven), packed more in my hospital bag, cleaned up the baby swing and bouncer, caught up on my pregnancy memories book, cleaned out ALL of the toyboxes, made some treats for school, finished and started a book, went on a couple of dates, watched a movie, and even had time to get our blog done on a Sunday!!!  I know the boys had a great time in Iowa and haven't missed us a bit!  We've sure missed them, but the extra time to tie up some loose ends was very nice!  Thank you Craig and Keeta!

And who knew...that a week before Christmas...Matt would have to mow the yard!  Seems kind of funny to have to move the Christmas decorations so that you can mow!  It really does look nice, Matt did a great job!  I'm interested to see what it will do this spring/summer!

It's hard to believe that the next time I post on here, Christmas will be over.  We're trying to take it all in as it's our favorite time of year.  I always get a little sad when it gets closer...I just hate seeing it all over so soon!

Buzz the Elf:  Buzz has found some interesting places to hide this year!  This week the boys found him in our manger scene, and Mason hollered at me saying, "Mom, Buzz is looking at Baby God!"  Buzz seems to be lonely without the boys this weekend...he was in Zane's bed Saturday and is now looking out the front window.  We sent them pictures, to which Zane said, "Do you think Buzz knows where we are?  Maybe Mom should tell him" and Mason said, "Why is Buzz in our room?"  Today Zane called me asking where Buzz was and when I sent him the picture he said, "Poor Buzz.  He misses us.  He'll probably be glad to see us."  Another reason I hate Christmas ending...Buzz really is a part of our "family" and I remember how heartbroken Zane was last year when Buzz had to go back to the North Pole with Santa.  He cried!  I've been trying to prepare him, but still not looking forward to it!

Enjoy this week!  Take time to appreciate your blessings!  And I hope you all have a wonderful Christmas!!!