Happy New Year's Eve!

It's that time of year when people like to get drunk, watch countdowns, shoot fireworks and make resolutions. Well, at my house, we are doing none of those things! I think a night of good tv and delicious punch suits me and my sickly self just fine.

Still, from our family to yours, Happy New Year! I hope it brings lots of blessings and joy (and for us, no more moves!).

Come on, 2012, I'm excited to see what you have in store for us!

The Big Christmas Post

I've been missing from the blogging world for a whole 4 days, but I blame Christmas and then yet another sickness that has jumped on me (and Jude).

But, rewind to Christmas Day. It was just as special as it should be.

On Christmas Eve, we stayed up late (2 am to be exact), brought out all the presents, prepped breakfast, and cheated. Jude woke up a zillion times and finally I caved: "Let him see his trike."

 It took me an hour to put Maddox to sleep. He kept saying, "Santy is taking FOREVER." And then, "Mom, don't let Santy eat all the cookies!" But, once he was off to dreamland, he slept straight through until the big morning.

They loved the stove and the play food that you can actually peel and cut. It was a big hit.

It took a while to open all the presents. We took our time and enjoyed the moment. 

 My living room turned into a blur of toys, boxes and wrapping paper. The boys ran here and there, trying out their toys, big eyes sparkling. I had wanted Christmas morning to be perfect for them and it was.

We had a giant, Christmas-worthy breakfast.

Kiwi and blueberries:

 and ham and cheese breakfast enchiladas:

But of course the boys wanted no part of eating! They had better things to do, like play.

 And of course Maddox asked the question he asks every day as soon as eats breakfast: "Can we go outside now?"

 His new bike is adorable and even has a bell, but he just isn't quite strong enough to pedal it yet. He enjoys sitting on it, but when it comes to riding....

 ....he prefers Jude's. And to be honest, Jude prefers his own legs over a set of wheels. He rides on his trike with the "I'm Big and Bad" expression for about 5 minutes before he is ready get down and run, run, run everywhere.

Maddox fixed the airplane later with Daddy. Jude wanted the drill, but luckily, nobody got into a fight over it. All in all, Christmas morning was nothing but fun.

Once the morning mess was cleaned, it was time to get ready for the big Christmas dinner. The table looked whimsical, eclectic and slightly glittery. I loved it.

 I tried a new punch recipe and am ready to make this again! Pina colada, orange juice, raspberries and Sprite = unexpected heaven.

The homemade bread was almost a disaster. I wrestled with it, yelled at it, even took a knife to it, but nope, it was stuck inside the machine. Finally, finally...I yanked it out. It looked awful. So, I made it look the prettiest I could, and still served it anyway. (Hey, it tasted good at least!)

Our friends (and old neighbors) joined us for dinner. Alex made the best ham I've ever tasted.

 And Yani's goodies (homemade sugar cookies, gingerbread cookies, and chocolate peanut butter balls) were gorgeous and so, so yummy. (Maddox got quite a sugar high from these)

Feeling fat and a little sleepy, we opened more presents, drank some peppermint cocoa and then topped off the night with what else? Coffee.

(AHH, adorable in his sweater vest!!)

 Eva joined us and did a good job cleaning my floors and taking goodies that the boys slipped her. The boys wore her out and she in turn wore them out. Win-win situation!

And what is a party without fake mustaches? 

Christmas 2011 was, in every way, a special, fun, full-of-amazing-food kind of day. Until next year!

Christmas Eve

Santa's elves (aka Andrew and me) were very very busy today, but there is always time for silly pictures!

I baked some raspberry thumbprint cookies and Jude enjoyed licking the beaters. Maddox ate about ten of the cookies, at least. I told him we had to leave a couple for Santa and he said, "NOOOOO." He is not a fan of "Santy Drawers" as he calls him.

I can't to wake up in the morning and see their faces! Lots of pictures to come. Now, we just have to get Maddox to bed, assemble a play kitchen, and prep breakfast enchiladas. 

Whew. 

Merry Christmas to everyone! I hope it is as special as it should be. 

A Buzzcut and New Bikes

Jude got his very first buzzcut. He did not enjoy it. But, it looks so cute and I think he's glad that his bangs are out of his eyes.

We braved Walmart (not once today, but twice), which is a job any time of year, but on Christmas Eve Eve...it was pure hell. 

Rude hordes of people running around with buggies in all directions is just not my thing.

But...look what we got! Bikes!

They were part of our Christmas to each other. We had been talking forever about getting some and taking family bike rides every day, so we finally did it. 

Jude hates his helmet, but loves the ride. And so do we. 

My little beach cruiser is a beauty. And she has a bell, too!

There is nothing like cruising down the open road, wind in your face, and feeling that burn in your legs. 

As Maddox said, "It was a GOOD day!"

Sleeping on the job

Yesterday was a go, go, go kind of day. 

We got some Moe's and went to Destin for the rest of our Christmas presents.

The night was no different. The boys kept going and I began to wonder, "When did my kids drink a 12-pack of Coke?"
They were jumping on our bed at midnight (true story).

The poor Elf was tuckered out and forgot about their candy. He was still sleeping in his sleigh early this morning when the two energizer bunnies woke up.

Maybe the empty advent calendar will motivate them to go to bed at a decent time tonight.