Two.

Ethan turned two Dec 22nd. Having a "Christmas Baby" is something I thought, when growing up and planning out life (ha!), I would never have. Ever. But, life is unpredictable, and sometimes things don't go as planned. But that's the greatest part...it was planned, not by us, but in the grand scheme of things. And I wouldn't have it any other way. We'll deal. The Birthday celebration and gifts will be separate from Christmas, although it may prove to be tough later on. He'll most likely at some point in his teenage years complain about why he was born so close to Christmas. (At least that's what I hear from the students I have who were born near the Holidays.) He'll get over it. For now, we just enjoy!

Brothers

Lately Ethan has been wanting to go 'ni-night' in Austin's bed. Austin embraces it, and thinks it's cool.

Here are the brothers, after a day of being home with mama because they've been sick...off in dreamland, heads (and hearts) together.

Ahhh...love this.

But before this happened, Austin had crashed on the couch because he wanted to be with Simon for a little while. How could I say no?

O Christmas Tree | 2010

The snow.

The walking.

The cold.

The searching.

The comparing.

The measuring.

The decision.

The cut.

The dragging.

The ride.

The resting.

The snipping.

The lights.

The decorating.

The watering.

Winter Wonderland

It's a tradition that started a few years ago. Grandpa Bob and Grandma Cheryl would make the 3.5 hour trek down to visit us and walk through the Winter Wonderland....a display of over 700,000 lights - some set to music, others just blinking and twinkling to their own rhythm. The local Rotary Club puts the show on, and all they ask in return is a cash donation or food donation to help out the local food pantries. Who can resist? It's a win-win all the way, baby!

We bundle ourselves up, donning long underwear, boots, sweatshirts/sweaters, hats and mittens...with my pockets madly stuffed with tissues because a runny nose is inevitable...and the six of us scrunch in my SUV with anticipation of the big hoopty-doo of lights. We haven't been disappointed.

And we hoped for a visit with Santa. But our timing was off this year and we were too early in the evening for Santa and it was too cold to wait outside in the cold for him, so maybe we'll see him Saturday when he brings some of his reindeer to town. If not, we'll make a second visit to the Winter Wonderland to stop by and see the ol' man. The child in me wants to go! :)