Christmas Day

We went out to my parents house late Christmas Eve.  We got the boys to bed and then unloaded all of our stuff and got our presents under the tree!  We finally were ready to head to bed around 1:30 am and I hear Stephen up.  I went into his room and he told me that he wanted to go downstairs and see if Santa had come.  I told him he had to wait until it was light outside and that it was still dark.  I knew he would have a hard time sleeping, so I told him I would sleep with him.  I didn't get much sleep, but I was so glad I had slept with him because that morning around 7, he woke up (I was already awake) and looked at the windows and saw that it was light outside.  He eyes lit up and his mouth dropped.  In the most excited voice he said, "It's light outside, Santa came!!!!!!"

And sure enough, Santa had come.  Someone was a very good boy this year!



Stephen got drums, a new scooter, a shark umbrella, rain boots, and house shoes (those three were his most requested items), a skateboard, a firetruck, and a police officer uniform.  Avery got a new play mat.





He loved his drums!



Avery was so happy that morning and just talking and smiling at everyone!











Stephen got a bunch of neat stuff in his stocking, but he was most excited about these skittles.  He didn't show everyone anything else he got, but when he pulled these out he laughed and said, "hey guys look what I got".









We had the pleasure of listening to several performances that day.







Avery loved his new play mat.





Stephen loved helping everyone open their stockings.



Christmas Day this year was a lot of fun!  Aunt Linette and Uncle Lanny came down and spent the night on Christmas Eve and Aaron and Jessica got to my parents house bright and early.  It was a really fun having everyone together!











The boys had matching pajamas, and I wanted to get a picture of them together.  Stephen went to convince Stephen to take a picture with his brother, so while I waited I snapped some of just Avery.  I love having a non-mobile subject!!!









And here is how things went once big brother arrived:



He's mad because he couldn't pick Avery up himself and pose him the way he wanted to.



What mom, look to the left?



Oh, look at the floor?



Make weird hand gestures?



Raise the roof?





Avery is starting to get concerned.



I get it now, look at the camera with a decent smile and my hand in the air?



Or look to the right?



Where is Mommy's camera?  Yes, point to it while covering your face.  Awesome!



Raise the roof again y'all, I am awesome at following instructions.



And that is how that went.  Is it too much to ask for them both to sit still for 2 seconds, look at me and smile.   I guess so and I have a feeling that this is how the next 15 years of my life is going to go.

I snapped this one with my cell phone as Stephen was heading outside to play.



Aunt Linette holding Avery.









Dad went and picked up Mamaw later that morning so she could join us.  It was so good to have her with us.





Uncle Aaron and Aunt Jessica gave Stephen this fireman outfit so he put it on.



Dad and Aaron were trying to play a frisbee game and Stephen was standing right in the middle of their game.









It might have been raining and he needed his umbrella.  Or not.  You decide.





Mamaw and Avery.  When Mamaw was leaving she told Avery she loved him more than he will ever know.  These boys so very loved by so many people!  I will always cherish these photos and I hope Avery will as well.
















Aaron and Mom carving the turkey.



We had a delicious lunch and ate way too much!  We spent all day eating and playing.  It was the perfect day!





My parents gave Stephen a soccer goal and he wanted to play with it so Dad and Aaron decided to put it together.  I'm pretty sure they thought it would take 5 minutes and be no big deal.  It was more like 30- 45 minutes and the took it apart 3 times and still did not get it put together exactly correct.  They were hilarious to watch!





Everyone went home, but we were staying the night, so Stephen and Stephen went out to the pool to shoot nerf darts at the stone wall.



Stephen had to get up and go to work the next day, but the boys and I stayed at my parents house and had a relaxing morning.  I took this one of my Dad and Avery just hanging out.  Doesn't Avery look so big!?!



We had such a great Christmas!  This whole Christmas season was so fun since Stephen really understands everything now.  I can't wait until next year!