Christmas morning

They were excited. They learned how to rip through the paper and to see what was inside. It melted my heart watching my boys (even Daddy) opening their presents. I have a real tough time waiting until Christmas morning, I love giving surprises! We have started our own traditions as a family now. I'm kind of a grown up now being a mama and all. So our morning consisted of presents and then fresh baked cinnamon rolls and eggs benedict for breakfast. Perfect morning with my beautiful family.

Christmas Eve

Hmm. . . what can I get into next?

Somebody should have put IPAD on their Christmas list.

Uncle Gerry was in town from NY for Christmas.

Again, loving and obsessing over the IPAD.

Professional gift opener this year. He tears the paper with such force! Watch out!

Our lovely Christmas Eve host, Auntie Mollly, who spoils the kids and over feeds my husband! Love her to pieces!

Christmas Eve was another hit this year. The boys have gotten used to this whole Christmas thing. They can rip through some serious wrapping and bows now hence the non present tree at our home this whole season. Christmas Eve was just the beginning we still had three more days of Christmas's, it was a long weekend!

Snowflake Lane

Met the Kangs in Bellevue to visit Snowflake Lane and have dinner. Always a blast taking 4 kids out to eat and festivities. Madi (Oct.) and Carter (Dec.) are two months apart and Nolan (Aug.) and Ella (Sept) are 3 weeks apart. Maybe our third babies will be born on the same day.

As for Snowflake Lane, our boys weren't too excited about it, more like dearly afraid of it. The characters were a little overwhelming to them. Eric and I agreed Disneyland will be a trip planned in the far, far, future.

Carter's 3rd birthday party

Fun was had by all at our local bouncy house. I have never hosted a birthday party outside of our house so it was challenging and easy in some aspects. Kind of a control freak and have to set things up the way I like, but don't mind an extra hand when it comes to clean up. This year I did a Elmo theme for Carter bug because they are pretty close, him and Elmo have a special bond. Elmo is like a drug for kids, he has a way of sucking you in. Elmo currently has taken over our house with Rock n Roll Elmo, Tickle Me Elmo, Dancing Elmo, Elmo cell phone, Elmo playdough maker, Elmo CD player. . . I could keep going but you get the point.
Yet to have a party for C when he doesn't cry after the candles are blown out, although he loves to be the center of attention he is not such a fan at everyone staring at him wondering what his next move will be. Tried a new recipe for the cupcakes, I used beets for the coloring of the frosting and used them in the red velvet cupcakes. The cake was moist but the frosting was a little runny from the beets and more pink then red. But they were healthier! Eric told me to cool it because people don't come to parties to eat healthy. Worth a shot though, all those kiddos got there vegetables and didn't even know it!
Afterwards a few of my girlfriends and their families headed back to our house. The kids played and our house looked like a tornado went through it, but hey that's what parties are for right? I still can't believe Carter is three. It just seems like yesterday we were bringing him home from the hospital. Happy birthday little man, now let's celebrate Christmas. Talk about spoiled!

Keeping busy

Luckily this winter hasn't been too bad. We are still able to get outside, go on walks and play. The Black Diamond Bakery is right around the corner from us so I like to take the boys up there when it is nice outside. They make yummy whole wheat cinnamon with chunks of apple. We had ourselves a treat and then had to burn off the calories with a run home!