Christmas 2014

Oh. My. Goodness!  We had so much fun this Christmas season, especially the two whole weeks off we had together over the break.  We usually have some sort of plans to go somewhere for a quick trip, but with a baby coming soon, staying home was the best option since we never know what to expect or when.  

 

Leading up to Christmas Break, the boys were prepping for good times.  First off, they created a time machine out of a giant box.  I found them before church one morning, all smooshed in together and ready to transport to who knows where.  They've also been busy having indoor snowball fights with a set my mom sent them (um, thanks? hehe).  They're the closest thing to a real snowball we've had, so they've had a riot pelting each other with them.  The last day of school before the break, Asher brought birthday doughnuts for his class, which is so fun and easy for me too.  I can't believe he's about to turn 9.  That last day of school marked the beginning of the fun for all of us, and Corey was especially ready for a break from work. Before Christmas, we decorated a Gingerbread village and made gingerbread cookies, yum!  Corey had the idea to go buy some balsa wood planes with the boys, which they took to the park on a freeeeeezing cold day and flew around.  The verdict was that the helicopter was the most consistent, and that while the planes were lots of fun to fly around, the boys agreed that chasing the giant flock of Canadian Geese around the field was equally as entertaining. Corey also won some major points with the kiddos for going out and getting some yo-yo's.  You see, Corey has some hidden talents, among which are winning stuffed animals from those stingy claw machines and performing yo-yo tricks (discovered while we were dating).  I personally don't know anyone else who can do either of these things, making him a super cool dad.  They boys were ecstatic to try out their new yo-yo's and to learn of their Daddy's hidden skills.  By the end of the break, Asher's starting to get the hang of the basics and Beckett (in his words) is "working on his yo."  They both still think that 'around the world' means flinging it around in circles which is wrong and just plain scary for anyone and anything withing reach, but they're coming along!

On Christmas Eve, we took the Country Club Luminaria Bus Tour.  It was so beautiful, and there were even several hot air balloons on the ground doing a mini 'balloon glow' en  route.  Thousands of luminarias glowing down blocks and blocks of pretty homes is ethereal, truly.  Corey's parents came with us too, making for some fun Christmas Eve family time.  We came home and ate Strombolli (a fun new dish of Corey's), Corey and the boys put out some luminarias of our own (so pretty), opened up jammies, read from Luke 2, sang some Christmas carols and sent the boys off to bed. 

 

 Christmas morning was wonderful.  Weirdly, Corey and I were both up and having a hard time going back to sleep by around 5:30 A.M.  All I wanted to do was go back to sleep, but just couldn't seem to do it.  Finally (ha!) Beckett woke up around 6:30.  He came into our room, went to wake up Asher and we grabbed cameras and headed downstairs.  After snapping a few minutes of video and pics, we settled in to enjoy it all.  They boys were excited about the Wii U and games awaiting them with their stockings.  Beck was just as thrilled, however, with the Hex Fish sitting with his stash!  By that afternoon, the boys had put already put together a 'fish show' for us in their bedroom with viewing chairs set up and all.  It was very official and informative.  I love it when they do things like that together!  The Wii U was a huge hit all break long.  They even twisted my arm into playing some and I came in 7th place (VERY good for me) on Mario Kart.  I guess I'm in training...the boys keep telling me how well I'm doing.  Opening presents was fun...I am excited to use my new point and shoot camera, woo-hoo!, and Corey will be sporting his handsome new Batman apron in the kitchen - can't wait!  The boys gave each other treasures... Beck gave Asher one of his prized smencils he'd bought, and Asher gave Beck a bookmark (much needed, he has probably 5 but can't ever find them) and a book he'd written.  Sweet boys. I had to post a pic of the fun gift my sis-in-law, Danna sent for the boys...slingshots and a 'target practice' onesie for our up and coming.  I died.  Too funny.  I'm thinking maybe our little buddy has now been scared into staying in there longer?  We had cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate for breakfast...along with candy canes, cinnamon bears, and whatever else the boys snuck in while we were all lazing about throughout the morning.  It was fun, relaxing and wonderful just spending time together.

 

 

 Christmas night we headed up to Aaron and Meagan's and had a wonderful dinner with everyone.  Throughout the break, we had a great time hanging out with family, going to movies, eating out, eating in, playing the Wii, making Mii's (always fun, and we even coerced Grandma and Grandpa Reitz into it!).  Corey made the most of his time off playing basketball and football with the boys in the backyard, not to mention all the yo-yo time, painting the baby's room, assembling a crib and changing table and somehow fitting in a lil' nap most days.  New Year's was more fun and yumminess up at Aaron and Meagan's with family. We truly had a fantastic, fun and relaxing break, and were sad to see it end.  Merry Christmas and a Happy 2015!

P.S.  Fun Story:  Asher had wanted a suit a few months back, so we found him a suit jacket for Christmas.  When he tried it on, Corey mentioned that it's a 'sports jacket.'  Later Christmas Day, Asher came downstairs wanting to play basketball outside, donning some basketball pants, a t-shirt and his new navy blue jacket, all buttoned up with the collar turned up as high as it would go.  Cor and I looked at him, then each other a little baffled.  I told him to run up and take it off if he wanted to play outside, but he insisted on using it to play basketball since it's a 'sports jacket'.  He was confused at first, then a little disgruntled.  I think it was cooler to him when it was a sports accessory!  He did wear it to church though and seemed to finally buy into wearing it as intended.  Lolololol.  Loved that one. And I love my little sports fan.