8 years later

December 27th, 2003.

 Eight years later, we are still happily married.

Eight years later, we are still working (hard) on us.

Eight years later, we are still excited about our future.

Eight years later, our vows still mean as much as they did when we first said them.

 Here's to true love. Not blind, not fairytale, not perfect.

 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

Christmas Number Two

My parents couldn't be with us on December 25th this year, but they made it up here for a few hours the next day to do Christmas with us. I was a little worried my boys were going to expect the tree to just keep "refilling" with gifts because we had emptied it on Christmas and then it was full again the next day. We are so blessed...I hope my boys learn that at an early age.

 He did not get this for Christmas, but this picture cracked me up.

 Excited about some sea creatures!

 This kid loves him some sting rays.

 David got some new kicks. He's elated. I wish we had a boat to go with those boat shoes.

 My dad needed some smelly spray that wasn't for hunting. I'm pretty sure Lacoste smells a heck of a lot better than doe urine or whatever that deer luring spray is made of.

 If you know my Grandma, you know this woman is never caught without a disposable camera in hand. She's like an official disposable camera photog.

 I had way too much fun with gift wrapping this year. Everyone will probably get tin-foil wrapped gifts next year because I'll be over the whole "pretty gift" thing. Ummm...doubt it.

 New Gator jerseys!

 I am a very happy girl. New machine!

I packed up all the Christmas decor yesterday. It was awful. I shed a few tears and felt miserable. What in the world? I've never had issues putting away the tinsel before, but this year was so difficult. Maybe because I had so much fun, it was just hard to let it go. I don't know. My house feels empty and so boring after all the coziness of Christmas. I've got to get on the Valentine's Day bandwagon so that I have something to make my house feel more like a home again. Actually, writing that just got me a little excited about some projects I have planned :) It's the only time of year I feel pink is allowed to enter my home. Bring it on!!!!

25!!!!!!!!

We finally made it to the 25th of December! Parker thought it would never come. Graham? Well, he is still pulling off random numbers from our calendar making it clear he had no idea what was going on. Oh well! Now, Christmas has come and gone, but not without wonderful memories made! It was just the four of us together on Christmas morning and I really did feel giddy waiting for the boys to wake up. When the sleepyheads finally awoke around 7:45 and ran out to see if Santa had indeed come, they couldn't believe their eyes! He had left quite a mess of snow.

 Last but definitely not least!

 Singing Jingle Bells!

 

Reading the Christmas Story.

 Present time! Santa's first.

 Graham decided he wanted to trade in a few of his new trains for Daddy's audio book.

 

David opening his big present!

 It was wrapped 10 times down to a tiny jewelry box of guitar picks! I'm such a trickster ;)

 Not sure what Graham had planned before I made him get down.

 Stockings!

Christmas cuties.

 

Family Christmas photo 2011

I hope your Christmas was as blessed as ours. My boys made my Christmas so special. Was is perfect and void of chaos? Um, hardly. I'm not in a fantasy world and I do have two toddler boys. There were moments of crying and utter selfish fit-throwing (Parker and Graham did some whining too-ha ha!), but when the day came to a close, we were a family who loved one another and had spent the day celebrating our Savior's birth. Good times!

Christmas Eve Eve and the Next Day

Before I show you the fun we had on Christmas, I'll show you our two day adventure leading up to the main event. Since pictures tell it better than words, I'll stop talking. (Can I get an amen from all the readers who are sick of my long post?)

 Jumping on the air mattress is 99% of the fun on Christmas Eve Eve

 ...two fell of and hit their heads. Momma called the doctor and the doctor said...get off the flippin' air mattress.

 We calmed them down with a good 'ol game of candy land.

 The only way to get him to go to sleep was to move him across the room from his brother. Zonked.

 I was the only one left awake. Time to play on my iPhone.

 We headed to Nana and Poppy's for Christmas Eve.

 I'm serious. This boys has an obsession with trains.

 We got our Christmas pajamas on when we got home baked Santa some cookies.

 Getting things all set up!

 Beyond excited.

Putting out our reindeer food.

 Graham wanted in on the action too. There is a lot of glitter reindeer food in my front yard. We'll be seeing it for months.

It worked. Thanks to the fantastic tasting reindeer food that guided the sleigh in, Santa came and did not disappoint.