On your mark...

...get set...GO! Here is Will with one of the gifts he got for Christmas. It is a Matchbox cars race track that attaches to the wall. Brad helped the boys hang it upstairs in their playroom. It's a pretty cool track, and they seem to like it.

I can't believe today is the last day of 2012! It's been a good year for our family. We've continued to love living in our home. It is becoming "ours" now by many additions and changes that have been made to suit our family. The kids truly love all the room we have to play outside and not worry about any traffic around. We still have our long commutes, but at least we have good jobs! 

Here's to 2013...the year our oldest turns 5 and starts Kindergarten. Where did the time go? I remember holding him when he was only a few days old and crying because I didn't want him to go to Kindergarten! Now, it's almost time. 2013 will hopefully bring some healing to our youngest. He had 9 ear infections this year, and he is scheduled to have tubs in a week and possibly his adenoids removed as well. 

We are very blessed as a family, and we are looking forward to many more memories that have yet to be made!

Merry Christmas, 2012

Christmas 2012 came and went very quickly! We spent Christmas Eve at Meme and Poppi's house. Will and Daniel did not get a nap that day, and little did we know that Daniel actually was developing his 9th ear infection of the year. Santa surprised us all and paid the kids a visit while we were there. He stopped for a break on his trip around the world to remind the kids to get in bed early and to leave him some milk and cookies! Each child got a coloring book, new crayons, and a candy cane! 

 I got this picture of Will after he opened a gift. It is a boat from Cars 2, and he loved it. He played with it a lot, and even slept with it that night. 

 Here's their loot that Santa brought! Daniel got a lot of Toy Story items, and Will got mostly Cars toys and some things for his Leapster Explorer. They both got a helicopter, and Will even got a new helmet for his bike. They were both pleased with their gifts on Christmas morning.

 I didn't know Brad was taking this picture, but I like how you can see Will going through his stuff. See our 7 year old tree? It started losing lights this year...that stinks. 

 And I thought this picture of Daniel was too funny...he is looking at Will opening something. He wasn't feeling well, so he refused to open any gifts, but he did have squeals and comments for each item for himself as well as Will.

After we got dressed, we headed to Nana and Granddad's house to celebrate with them. We had a great time being with our families celebrating the birth of Jesus!

Cookies for Santa!

I have this really good Sugar Cookie recipe that I make. I've never used cookie cutters with it...I always just make circle cookies and add icing. Well, today, I made the dough, patted it out, and Will and I got to cutting. It worked great! Here are the cookies pre-decor! 

 Will LOVED putting sprinkles on top. I think we had more on the floor than anywhere else!

 Daniel enjoyed it, too. He is a lot more serious than Will is, so he was concentrating very hard. See our elf, Chippy, hanging from the window? He watches the boys all the time and reports to Santa each night.

 And here are the two they chose from the group to present to Santa tomorrow night. Will chose the gingerbread man, and Daniel went with the star. They sure had fun decorating their cookies.

 And, of course, they had to be tasted...

Christmas on Green Street

We went to Christmas on Green Street last night here in Gainesville. They shut down one of the main roads in downtown where all the historic homes are. There was a parade, a train for the kids, Santa and Mrs. Claus, food, drinks, music, and lots of beautiful Christmas decorations. The kids really loved the parade because it was full of antique cars...they were calling each of them characters from the Cars movies. Here is Daniel while we were waiting on the parade to start...

 Santa and Mrs. Claus started the parade with Hall County's finest...

 And being that we live in the poultry capital of the world...here's a chicken float...

 Here comes Doc Hudson...according to the boys...

 The Grinch even made an appearance...

 Fillmore was there, too!

I got a great shot of "Mater" who really was a rusted old truck, but I guess I didn't save it to publish it on here. It was a fun night out with my guys!

Our 2012 Visit with Santa

For the third year in a row, we took a trip to Bass Pro Shop to see Santa. This year, NO line, and NO tears! We met up right after work today, and it was great. 

 A new addition this year is the Merry-go-round. You can see Daniel here on the Moose...and Will is a few back on the Deer. He would not move up to be close to us..and we were the only ones on the ride.

 But he seems to be having fun!

 Both boys always love going to the big fish tank, too. I thought this was cute...and Daniel kept kissing the glass like he was kissing that big fish...can you see him??

All Mama Wants for Christmas is a Good Picture for the Christmas Card!!!

Is that too much to ask? Come on, kids...just smile for 2 SECONDS while BOTH looking at the camera??? Really...too much??? 

 Thanks, Will...that's a good one...too bad your brother was nowhere to be found...

 Who said to dance instead of pose????

 Uh, boys....over here...

 This way...Mama just wants a smile...

 Is this really that hard???

 I give up!!!

Did we get anything that worked? I guess you'll have to wait until you see our Christmas card!!

My two sweet turkeys

My boys are so not into taking pictures these days! So, I have to pose them in front of some show, or bribe them with M&M's to even get them in a shot together. I wanted to be able to get a clear shot of their shirts, but this was the best I could do. Will has his name on his shirt as well. Aren't they cute??

Halloween 2012

It's no secret around here that Daniel has an OBSESSION with Woody from Toy Story. There was no question about who he would be for Halloween. I thought it would be cute for Will to be someone from the movie, too, and he was happy to pick Buzz Lightyear. This first picture shows them as they are getting their first look at themselves in the mirror. I think it is so cute!!!

 Will was very excited to get out and start trick or treating!

 Daniel did not want to wear his hat once we got going. He also was not wanting to participate in the trick or treating until he saw his brother got candy from people when he went up to their doors. Once he figured it out, he kept saying "I Woody, I Woody" to everyone he saw!

 Yes, M&M's were his favorite choice of the night!!!

 This is not a great picture, but I love Will's face in it...he was having so much fun!!

 Will loved ringing the doorbells, and Daniel loved hanging back waiting on his treats!

 Excited for the next house...

 The kids liked this spider...his head moved every few seconds. It had just moved and Daniel looked at me and screamed as I took the picture.

 This little guy was worn out after a little while, so we sat down while Meme and Will went to a few more houses. He decided to enjoy one of his treats.

 And here's the loot...overall the had a very fun night. Will has talked about it a lot since Wednesday. I know they both enjoyed themselves, and Brad and I loved seeing them have fun!!

Sunday afternoon fun

On Sunday afternoon, we decided it was time to carve our pumpkin. While Daddy was cleaning it and carving it, the boys painted their little pumpkins. They had a ball doing it. 

 The little one is so serious...

 So is the big one...notice how Mater is in his other hand? 

 Will's reaction to the inside of the pumpkin!

 Daniel thought the inside was funny...

 And Will suggested Daddy carve it in a spooky face like this...

Too funny!

Weekend Fun

The boys love when their cousins come to play. Aunt Beth is always so good to take pictures of them and send them to me. I need to start taking more pictures! Here is a really cute one of Will and Kate in our backyard. They sure do love each other!

 And this one is too cute...I love the way Daniel and Jackson are looking at each other while Kate poses!