Let it Snow!

The boys finally had their first (and second...and third!) snow days of the year. 

We got just under four inches of snow on January 20th and we were excited to sleep in and just hang out around the house. School was called off the following day, and then when another two inches fell on the 22nd, we got our third day off in a row. Thankfully the roads were cleared quickly, so we were able to get out and about some. (Although 90% of the time we could be found wearing our pajamas!)

Our Winter Wonderland

Luke happened to bring home his class "pet" Maverick, and due to MLK Jr. day and all the snow days, Mav ended up spending 10 days with us. Ha! 

Nothing goes better on a snow day than a pancake & sausage breakfast from McDonalds! We also hit up the Redbox a few times over the break.

We baked some sugar cookies

and Luke lived in his robe! 

(The Dude)

There was no need to feel cabin fever with Caleb the Magnificent around. :) 

And...

 while we were snowed in, Creed was living it up out in Vail, Colorado with his longtime friend, Jon. They had a great time catching up and hitting the slopes, and Creed even came home with new skis and boots! 

Creed's winter wonderland was a little more impressive than ours. ;)

(The snow days were fun and the school calendar has been updated. Now let's hope that's it...)

"Lukey Mommy Day"

Over MLK Jr. weekend, Creed took Caleb to Timberline, WV for a quick ski trip. Initially Creed had planned on taking Luke for his first ski trip, but Luke was adamant that he wanted to "stay home and snuggle with Mommy in her bed." So, while the big boys skied, Luke and I had, what he called, "the best Lukey Mommy Day ever!"

We snuggled in bed

played Legos

and went to church. 

I told him he could have whatever he wanted for lunch (McDonalds, Subway...) and he said that he wanted to go to Kroger and pick out a Veggie Tray. He also wanted Key Lime Greek yogurt. :)

 And while we were having the best Lukey Mommy Day ever, Creed and Caleb were having a blast too. They ate at their favorite restaurant, had fun at their hotel, and enjoyed the following day on the slopes. 

May The Force Be With You

Imagine my surprise when I called the boys to dinner and this is who showed up. :) 

Snow & Ice Fun

Sunday we were surprised with a layer of ice, and later that afternoon Creed took the boys out to play. Caleb loved sledding on the ice and Luke was content to break it up with his bat.

Luke is home on Tuesdays so he had a blast playing in the snow that fell that morning. He threw snowballs at the door (I was on the other side) and played dinosaurs and trucks all over the deck. 

After Caleb got home from school, we ventured out again, although it was too cold to stay out long. Caleb pulled Luke around on the sled and they played Santa and his reindeer. Luke kept singing, "Run, Run Rudolph!" 

Loving our first taste of snow this year!

Christmas Around Here

Christmas was different this year around here. With temperatures in the 60s and Caleb running a fever, it didn't quite feel like Christmas. 

On Christmas Eve, Creed stayed home with Caleb while Luke and I went to two different extended family Christmases. 

Luke got to sit in the basement with all the "big" boy cousins. He did great, even without Caleb there.

Ready for Santa and SO SO thrilled about his Zippy Sack that Grandma & Grandaddy got him. :)

Looks like Santa came!

Caleb woke up Christmas morning feeling lousy because of his fever, so we gave him Advil and put him back to bed for a bit. When he woke the second time, his temperature was done and he was so excited to see what Santa had brought!

Caleb asked Santa for Disney Infinity

and Luke asked for his own Kindle.

Luke cracks me up. He arranged all of his gifts in a cute display and laid on the floor watching a movie.

The Magic Pens were a huge hit with both boys and they spent lots of time coloring Christmas morning! (From now on Magic Pens will by my go-to birthday gift for friends!)

On the 26th, PeePaw, Grandma Beth, and Uncle Drew arrived. Apparently Hallie felt very at home. 

Caleb got this magic set from Marshma & Papa and it has been the biggest hit. Caleb loves to study the instructional video and then puts on shows for us. His assistant is pretty cute too!

Merry Christmas Eve

I think this Christmas season has gone quicker than ever before!

We love our advent traditions, and throughout the years, have accumulated a few.

Each morning Luke had the task of moving the star one more number closer, and it's so hard to believe that we are already at the 24th of December. He was so excited to get to the "big numbers," as he called the two digit ones, a few weeks ago.

Betty came back on December 1st this year, although she seemed to cause a little less trouble than in years before. Trading out the stockings for underwear is always a favorite with the boys. We are all a little sad to have to say good bye to her tonight, at least until next year.

The boys also loved their special advent calendar that Grandma Kathy got them last year. While Luke got to pull out the candy or gift each day, it was Caleb's job to read a Bible verse from the Christmas story.

We added a new, well actually two, Lego City advent calendars this year. The boys were so excited each morning to put together a little figure and were sad to have to open door #24 this morning. 

The last advent we do each day is in Caleb's room. We read a little booklet each night, each one telling part of the Christmas story, and then each is hung on his tree. Only one more to go...

Tonight we will visit with two sides of the family, eat way to much, exchange a few gifts, and then head home to put cookies and milk out for Santa. Such an exciting time, and we are so thankful for all we have to celebrate!

***

As I am writing this our Christmas Eve plans have changed. Caleb has had a cold for a few days, but has started running a low fever, so he and Creed will stay home tonight while Luke and I make the rounds. He is pretty bummed out, but is looking forward to staying home with his dad and building a solar robot that he got last night. ;) Hoping he is well tomorrow!

Our Gingerbread House

The boys loved decorating their gingerbread house this year. I decided to again use hot glue to assemble to house, so it was ready (and sturdy!) for lots of icing and candy.