Christmas Catch up...

It was 5:30 am when Zach woke me up on Christmas morning. It was 5:31 when I sent him back to bed. Somewhere later, after 7 am... we let the boys get up. This was the first gift they laid their eyes on:For the week prior to Christmas... we had packages arrive in the mail, and delivered from various friends and family. On Christmas Eve we went to Woodland and spent the entire day with family. The boys had no problem opening packages this year...This was Zach opening his gift from Santa. The boys had been saving their money for the Polar Express train set... apparently Santa came through for them. What a guy!The great thing about Christmas is the quiet after the storm. These boys didn't come up for air until after 8 o'clock. Daddy set up all their train tracks in their playroom... and we all enjoyed a quiet afternoon. :)It doesn't matter if the train is big or small... if it's an ornament- or a rooftop decoration. These two LOVE their trains!

It is still hard to believe it's all over with. We had so much fun, John and I agreed it was probably the best Christmas we've had.

We were so lucky to be able to share time with our loved ones... and we missed the people that live so far away. I hope you all had a little Christmas Magic... we sure did.

Whew...

We've been so darn busy the last few weeks. I am exhausted from my children's social schedule! After our Neighborhood Christmas party... we had our turn with the tummy flu. Thankfully we were done after a couple of days... just in time for our super fun (super busy) week.
This was a quick shot I got while waiting for Zach's Christmas program. So sweet...This is the kindergarten/first graders at their program. They sang for about 25 minutes... it was cute. If you want to play 'where's Zach' go right ahead...Then, after school on Thursday, we surprised the boys with a trip to the Train Museum! We took our neighbor, JJ with us. The boys were like balls in a pinball machine.I just love the 'awe' they have for everything!My future engineers:

Not sure what that hose is for... but I am sure he does!And this is what happens when you leave the camera with your husband: Then the BIG surprise: A train ride on the POLAR EXPRESS!

We got our tickets punched...

And enjoyed hot chocolate and cookies... And the hobo made his way through to cause some trouble...

And once we made it to the "North Pole" Santa delivered everyone a bell from his sleigh. It was magical for the boys... they love their trains!

The boys actually made it home awake that night- and they talked and giggled the entire way home!

The boys and I are on vacation this week... so we've planned all kinds of fun stuff. We made a gingerbread house...

They kept saying: "We're the Baer family, and we work as a team." Sometimes it's nice to hear your words repeated back to you... and they mean something!

Today, we made Christmas bead necklaces- and we are heading out to the movies soon. I just love this time of year... and knowing that the magic they feel is contagious.

Neighborhood Pol Ex Par-tay!

Saturday night was our first annual Neighborhood Kids Holiday Party. Only one of the two neighbors sent their children over. We made the most of our low turn out... by eating twice as many cookies!
Since we are taking the boys to the Polar Express train ride this week... it was the theme of our party. The boys dressed in their jammies, then we had cups that we got to color the insert on. We ate dinner, then had hot chocolate and cookies. We also read the Polar Express Book... and the boys got a magic necklace with a bell on it!Then they snuggled to watch the movie. That didn't last long... perhaps because of the aforementioned sugar rush? Oh well, they had fun! Poor Kyle fell asleep early... then awoke throwing up! Eeeks... I guess two nights in a row of partying caught up to him.

It was still a super fun party... Thanks to Aunt Missy for all your help!

Santa on Broadway!

Last Friday, the girls at the salon hosted a very special guest. We invited our 'salon' children, and made lots of yummy treats. We had story time, and sang songs. We enjoyed hot chocolate and friends. Then, to our surprise... Santa came... with early gifts!Zach was one of the last children to receive his gift. He whispered to me- "Mom, am I on the naughty list?" He was so concerned he wasn't going to be called up to see Santa.So imagine his surprise... when he finally got his turn!

Santa brought him the 4-pack of 'Buddy' movies. They are about these puppies that go on adventures... and all of them speak English. They are very edge of your seat kind of movies... if your in kindergarten.

Last year, Kyle wanted NOTHING to do with Santa. So I held my breathe as he was lifted up onto Santa's knee.

He must have 'eyed' his present... because he discovered he had a captive audience. He started telling Santa all about this and that... and when Santa tried to get rid of him...He had ONE more thing to say- which was another few 'one' more things.
But he finally came down... and discovered Santa had given him two 'mighty-machines'. A crane and a bull-dozer is a must have for this three year old! He shares his brothers' love for trains, but this child loves big equipment... :)

I guess that's a guy thing- even at three years old.

Zach fell asleep on the way home.. and when daddy was putting his jammies on- he said "Mom, I'm just too sleepy to watch my movies. Do you think Santa will be mad?"

Kyle on the other hand was wide awake- no doubt from his sugar induced binge. Good thing his might machines had lots of work to do.

Whoa.

We have a tradition on Thanksgiving, which is one of my favorites. We take the time to take an annual family picture, and I think every year it just gets better.

My wonderful sister in law, Missy, is always my photo assistant. I had a new camera last year, and wasn't really sure about the settings. The pictures looked fine when we took them, but when I got them home, they were all fuzzy.

Fast forward one year, and one photography class... and I kind of know how to take a great shot. But it's hard to do, when you want to BE in the picture. Enter: The need for an assistant.

Also add two children who do anything to NOT be in the picture, and it makes for an impossible task. If I set up the tripod and the timer, I figure their patience would last one or two frames. Not good odds.

So this year, we decided to bring my brother outside with us. (And he was THRILLED to leave the game so he could make funny faces at my kids!) He did his best to get their attention, and made funny sounds... but it wasn't working well.

UNTIL...

We found a caterpillar. It was really fuzzy... and when my brother put it near Missy's ear... she squealed... and the boys laughed. It made for a great picture- but it's hard to hold the camera still when your having a heart attack.

Somehow though, we managed to get this great family picture. It's the kind that every mom dreams of. It's the kind I will blow up on the wall, and stare at for years. It's the kind I would have expected to pay for.

I don't mean that to sound like I am bragging... but my luck with the ENTIRE family looking at the camera is not good! And on this shot, we hit a home run! Not to mention the great backdrop, and good lighting.... It just makes me say Whoa.

Thanks again Missy and Dave for helping out. Thanks to Nancy and Paul for having us to dinner- because otherwise on Thanksgiving I would be stuck in the kitchen. And a big THANKS to my boys for putting up with dear ol' mom!

December Fun

The tree is up, and that means there is a new spot for a train in our house. That makes my little men VERY happy.They have been so excited to set the tree up. It's contagious.It's funny to watch how happy they are about a silly old tree, and a plastic train.But I guess that's why they call it Christmas Magic.We also braved the cold weather to watch the parade. I made a big thermos full of hot chocolate for the boys... and they loved every bit of it in their new cups. We drove around ooohhhing and aaaahhhing over Christmas lights. I just love them squeal over these small things... and that's what makes all the chaos of December nothing but FUN!