Too Much Christmas?

We waited all year for Christmas to arrive. The house smells like Christmas, the house looks like Christmas, the kids are anxious about presents and not sure if they've been good enough all year to received that one particular gift. Then, in a blink of an eye ... it's over. Or that's how it normally goes.

This year Christmas seemed to last a really long time. Our first Christmas Party was the Farmer Family Christmas (Marcus's mom's side of the fam) on Dec 5th! That same night was his work Christmas party. Then the next weekend I hosted a Christmas Candy Making Party. The following weekend was the Hoffman family Christmas. Of course Christmas day we had our little Christmas, followed on the 28th by the Erskine family Christmas and just last week on the 30th was the Davis Family Christmas out in Missouri. WHOA ... AM I TIRED! The boys had a great time and really scored in the toy department. I think we own every game system known to man (ok, not really, but we now have a DS, Wii, GameBoy and a Leapster. Who needs those old fashioned things called books anyway!?!)

Anyway, I've posted just a few (er, 10) of the photos taken from the festivities. Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas/New Year's. Tomorrow it's back to reality (insert groan here).

"To Go Out With!?!"

Lately when we get home from work and school I've been making an effort to leave the TV off, leave the cell phone (and facebook) alone and focus on asking the boys some one-on-one specific questions about their day. I've really been enjoying this until yesterday. I've known for a few months that certain girls in Aiden's class like him. I even heard him use the word "girlfriend" once or twice. I asked him what "girlfriend" meant to a first grader. He said that just meant they play more together and smile a lot. Ok, I can live with that. However, yesterday when I specifically asked him about this girl he says, "Well Mom. Mason told Ali that I wanted 'to go out with' her when I really told Bryce ..." I have no clue what he said after that. He lost me at "to go out with." Lost me to the point that I didn't know if I should cry or puke. I held back the tears until he was done with the story, but quickly got up from the couch to gain my composure. I'm still trying to gain it. When did first graders start talking about going out withe someone? And where would they go!?! Ugh. I'm not ready for this. And with his handsome looks, it's going to get worse, I know.

Oh Brother

'Tis the season for Christmas parties. I'm a member of our local Rotary Club and have enjoyed our Christmas party for the last two years. They do a great job of gearing it towards the kids. For instance, the meal is chicken nuggets, corn, mac and cheese and cookies. Perfect for all kiddos. Santa makes a visit also. My boys were so excited to see him. When Santa made his big entrance, he stopped at each table for a personal visit. When he got to our table he stopped behind Logan and asked, "Have you been a good boy or have you been fighting with your brother?" Logan quickly replied, "My been a good boy. My brudder should be on the naughty list!" (Obviously I was trying to type like Logan spoke ... did you pick up on that?) Isn't that funny? I guess that's what brothers are for: throwing one another under the bus. HA!

Can it be?

Can it be that I am actually posting twice in less than a month! HAHA!
I wish I had more to write about today, but things are just as crazy as ever. Both boys stayed home from school/daycare/preschool due to fevers, runny/stuffy noses and coughs. They seem much better today, however they decided to share this with Mommy. I don't have the fever, but I feel like someone is sitting on my chest! I've been drinking DayQuil today like I normally drink sweet tea! Funny and sad.

Marcus and I haven't started Christmas shopping yet this year. Looks like maybe we'll go this weekend. To be honest, I'm just not in the mood. Things are tight ... very tight and I just feel like some of this hustle and bustle just isn't worth it. We have really been enjoying spending time with family and friends and I'd be perfectly happy just doing that the entire season. However I have two little boys that would not be thrilled about that. Good thing is that we are diligent in talking about what the real reason for the season is. They both seem to grasp that it's Jesus's birthday and that is why we are celebrating. I am not against them believing in Santa, but Santa never brings them the biggest gift. And they do not seem to care too much about it. They love leaving out the cookies and carrots (so does Daddy), and I am ok with all of that.

We did go around our little city the other night looking at Christmas lights. There was one neighborhood that I am 99% sure they have a contest with one another! It was a total different world! There were Santa's on the roof, elves galore, dancing candy canes, lights set to music ... it was awesome! I think we were having as much fun as the boys were!

Take a second to check out the photos on my slideshow. Baby Grace Photography did these for us in October. They have a magic camera ... I'm telling you! I just love all of the pics - even the ones of Gavin crying! Isn't that awful?
~Carrie

So, if the blogging world gave grades for blogging, I'd have an F at this point. I wish I could say it would be the first F I'd ever receive, but that's so not true. Anyway, things have been busy but I guess that's not a great excuse. I mean, everyone's busy these days, right?

Things are going well for us. We had a great Thanksgiving out in Missouri. It was one of the smaller get togethers we've had out there, but it was a welcomed change. We were able to visit on a more one on one level. The boys love it out there and Grandma and Grandpa were doing well.

Both Marcus and I are still working, which in these tough times is a true blessing. We're hoping the steel biz picks up a little in the next few months and the education field is doing steady.

Next up: Christmas. Oh man. Marcus and I had to literally get out our calendars in order to plan a date to go shopping for gifts. Is that sad? With his odd schedule and me working a few nights a month, we're lucky to see each other every day! Anyway, for Christmas Aiden is asking for a Nintendo DS and Logan ... he just wants trucks. Those two crack me up.

Well, I am going to make an effort to update this blog at least twice a week. I may have to scramble for things to talk about, so stick with me!

Talk to you soon ... I hope!
~Carrie

Big Weekend

Hello! Sorry I haven't been keeping this updated very well. Things are busier than ever with work and the boys in school. Sometimes I just want to hide in a hole for some rest!

This weekend was very eventful. Dad's birthday was Saturday and we weren't sure we were going to get to see him. So ... I did a little planning. Jamie's family, Sandy and I were all able to get our schedules in sync to surprise Dad for dinner on Friday night when he got off from work. He and Mom go to Olive Garden a lot, so that's where we were waiting for him. He was clueless and he was thrilled to see all three of his daughter's and grandsons. We had a nice dinner and then me and the boys went back to their house for the night. On Saturday, we headed home and Dad came too. South Whitley had their Fall Festival so we took the boys to ride some rides that evening. Logan's favorite was the ferris wheel and Aiden's was the fun house. Sunday morning Aiden did the 1 mile fun run again this year. He did great! He finished in 8 minutes, 51 seconds (unofficially at this point). That's 23 seconds better than last year! He was very proud of himself too. Enjoy the pics! (please note Logan's enthusiasm in watching the race).

Where did the time go???

It wasn't until our drive home last night that it hit me ... my baby starts preschool tomorrow. GULP. How can this be? Shouldn't I still be teaching him how to feed himself (although if you know Logan - he does still need some more work in that area). I seriously don't know where the time went. With Aiden, the first day of preschool brought up a few emotions, but no tears. With Logan, I cry just thinking about it. I guess because I wasn't fully prepared for this day to come so quickly and because he very well could be the last child I take to preschool for the very first time. Ugh. I am really trying to put my happy face on for him though. He was so excited this afternoon when I went home to see him before taking him. He walked right in and seemed to own the place. I just spoke with him on the phone and he said they ran in circles, sang songs, his face got sweaty and they played. Sounds like a full 2 1/2 hours to me!