Feliz Navidad

This was the first Christmas since we've been married that we spent as just our immediate family at home together. Even though we missed being with our extended family, I can honestly say it was so very special spending Christmas Eve and Christmas morning together with Brad and the kids.

Johnny and Bela were so excited to see the presents under the tree when they woke up. I'd wanted to wait until after breakfast to open gifts, but I was outvoted.

Johnny was very excited it was finally time to unwrap the packages and was thrilled with all of his presents.

I was honestly shocked by how into the whole present-opening experience Bela was considering she didn't have much interest when we celebrated her birthday in September. She didn't want any help opening her gifts and squealed with delight when she saw what was inside. I laughed so hard because she'd pick each one up after she'd unwrapped them and walk around hugging her present.

Unfortunately we couldn't find our regular camera in all of the excitement Christmas morning, so I just have these few shots from my phone, but we did get some pretty cute home video so I feel a little better about it. I also wanted to give a special thanks again to Brad for the wonderful waffle iron he got me. I love waffles, and it's already been put to good use several times.

The week between Christmas and New Year's we spent visiting my grandma in Colorado, which was of course filled with family and good food. I really wish we'd brought back those delicious tamales with us. It was so wonderful being able to spend a week together as a family where Brad didn't have any school or work responsibilities. We also miraculously did not get sick at all on our vacation, and no luggage was lost, which was a vast improvement from last year.

Celebration

Brad had an EXTREMELY busy schedule this last semester. I admire him for all of his hard work, but towards the end I was really missing my man. He would leave early in the morning, come home for dinner, and head back out after we put the kids to bed almost every day for the last month of the semester. We definitely needed some family time together, so Brad took us out for a fun dinner at a Japanese steakhouse to celebrate once his semester was finally over.

The only time Johnny was ever facing forward. For whatever reason he was deathly terrified of the flames and the grill this time, even though he loved it the last time we came. It did make eating his dinner difficult since he would only face backwards, but he was going to stay as far away from that grill as possible.

I love this picture the most because all 3 of my sweethearts are totally looking any direction but mine. I think they get a little tired of me pulling out the camera. Despite Johnny's slight terror, we had a great night and are so happy to have Brad home more now!

Gingerbread House

I bought a gingerbread house last year after Christmas for 90% off, figuring this year Johnny and Bela would love to put it together. I think I definitely underestimated the amount of excitement so much frosting and candy can have on these little kids.

I handled the frosting for about a minute before I let Brad take over.

Bela was not going to miss out on any of the action

Probably the best shot I got before Johnny started trying to eat all the candy before he'd even finished decorating it. We kept it on display (someplace high) for about a week before I tossed it when the kids weren't looking. Johnny still asks me where his gingerbread house went, and if we can make another one.

Ice Cream Cone

I've been promising Johnny that we'd get an ice cream cone all week long. Today was finally the day, and we headed on down to Macey's for a little ice cream delight. No we did not order the King Kong cone.

Johnny and Bela split the small cone, yes that is really the "small" cone, and of course made a glorious mess.

Don't they look so happy together?

I ordered a chocolate-dipped cone, had about 3 bites, and gave it to Brad. It was not as good as the usual twist cone I like, but Brad took one for the team and finished it off. I sure do love that guy.

Johnny

Today this kid didn't want to take a nap, he just wanted to stay up and play. He crashed while he was in the high chair for a time-out around 3:15 this afternoon. He's still asleep 3 hours later. I'm very nervous for bed time tonight.

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving down in Mesquite this year. So much of Brad's family was able to be there, so Johnny got in lots of cousin playing time.

Jasper and Cooper taught him how to wrestle

They played games down in the basement

Bela made sure she held onto panda

After Thanksgiving we had a little early Christmas celebration together

Bela resting on her daddy

Johnny opening some presents

Pa watching a movie with Johnny

When Brooks came over Johnny was ecstatic. He loved playing with his cousin Brooks, and was sad whenever he left to go back to his own house.

Tired from all of the fun

Bela and Johnny dressed in their game-day jerseys

We had so much fun and are so happy we got to see everyone that was able to be there!

I Love Her

This little girl is so much fun. I can't believe she's already 14 months old. She has about a 10-word vocabulary, her favorites after "dada" and "mama," are: "panda", "costco", and cheese." She's her brother's shadow and best friend, and we love her more every day.