CHRISTMAS PART 1

Christmas was fast and furious this year. Oh but what a fun ride!
Of course the boys had lots of fun with their cousins from Colorado.

SAY CHEESE JOSH!

BROOKIE PLAYS WITH THE LITTLE PEOPLE NATIVITY

THE BOYS ARE PLAYING HARD

AUNT WAWEE MAKES A LITTLE MAGIC SNOW...

AND OUR SOUTHERN BOYS ARE MYSTIFIED

We kicked off Christmas week with a ride on the Polar Express. We had so much fun as you can see from the slide show below. The dancing chefs made everyone feel so welcome and part of the fun. All you could hear were giggles and laughing of children as they rang their bells and sang Christmas carols. It was a great way to dip your heart in Christmas cheer and get rid of any Bahumbug feelings you had.

We started a new tradition last year to make one of the boys presents something we do together as a family. Mark and I both agreed that the things we remember most from our childhoods are the thing we did, not what we had. Last year we went to see the Children's Theater production of the Nutcracker. The boys enjoyed that but I have to say that Mom probably enjoyed dressing everyone up for the theater more than they did. ;-) After our ride on the train we were in the car on our way home when Mark said, "Boys, mom did good this year, huh!" They yelled "yes" in unison and my heart jumped. They were completely in Awe of the massive steam engine and the sound of that train going down the track. I do wish my father could have come to enjoy that time with the boys. He worked for the Illinois Central Railroad for over 30 years and tells the boys all kinds of wonderful train stories from his years on the tracks. We may have to repeat this trip next year since it was such a hit. I have a feeling this is something the boys won't outgrow since dad had just as much fun as they did! If we go again, I'm wearing my pajamas too!