Christmas Eve 2014

In keeping with our annual tradition, we headed to my parents' for Christmas Eve dinner and then to open presents.  The kids are always so excited for this time - for the food right?  Who am I kidding?  They can't wait to open presents and I think my mom is just as excited.

After a great meal, mom read the Christmas story.  Then it was present time

Looks like an accident waiting to happen.

Watching Papa open his presents.

Uncle Chris made these boys quite happy with some cool teeth and other great fun items.

A new scooter

A Wii U for both of the boys.

It's time for us to get ready for Santa and his reindeer.  They are setting out food for the reindeer.  We weren't sure if the bowls would stay put for the reindeer because it was very windy that night, but we put a rock in each bowl just to make sure.

All ready for Santa.

This our new addition this year - our travel tree in the front pool table room.  I was so excited with how it turned out.

The boys were in bed by 10ish so not too bad.

The start of Christmas break

We were all pretty excited to be on Christmas break.  We had a few things planned but mostly just to take it easy.

Sunday before Christmas

Look at this cheesy grin from Trevor - just want to squeeze those cheeks.

Such loving brothers - sometime!!

Our first day of Christmas break, I decided to take the kids ice skating.  They had never been and I haven't ice skated in about 18 years.  I was really nervous that I would fall and make a fool of myself with my boys out there.  Thankfully I didn't fall and still skated somewhat decent.

The boys were so excited to be doing something new.  I wasn't sure how Brody would take it since he likes to be good at everything.  We were all bundled up - even though it wasn't cold outside at all.

I rented one of these so the boys could get the hang of the ice and not get too frustrated.  It was well worth the $5.

Brody was determined to get the hang of it.  He did get a little frustrated because he wasn't going fast.  After I tried to explain a couple of things he felt better and skated better.

Isn't this the cutest thing?

No tears for our 1st ice skating adventure.

On Tuesday, we had Ava over to make Christmas cookies.  It's always a fun time with these 3 kids

Dash came back

The boys' elf - Dash came back again this year to see how the boys were doing.  He arrived at our house the day we left for our Disney cruise with a cute sign telling them to have a good trip and he would see us when we got home.

He had some sneaky ways to show up to check up on the boys.  Here were some of our favorites.

The day of Brody's nerf party.

Our pianist.

The boys enjoy finding Dash every morning and seeing what all he was up to.

Sweet Pete's and PJ's

On the Thursday before Christmas break, Brody's class had a field trip to Sweet Pete's Candy store.  We have taken field trips there before, but they have changed locations.  The owner actually went on a show called The Profit to try and get help for his business.  Unfortunately I didn't see the show but needless to say he received money and the business looks so much better and is in a cool location downtown Jacksonville.

The place is so bright and cheery.

When the kids arrived we went downstairs for Pete himself (we had some connections) to give a demonstration on how to make candy canes.  Some of us parents slipped away for a few minutes during this time to do a little candy shopping.  Can't pass up the caramels - they are the BEST!!

He is pulling and stretching the candy to allow air to get into it.

Now it was time for the kids to get a piece and shape it into whatever they wanted.

The final product.

The production room

We then went to hear a candy cane story and make another type of candy cane - paper.

Once we were finished, Brody and I decided to go and have lunch at the Landing.  Afterwards we took a walk down the river to see if Mr. Kahn's (the owner of the Jaguars) yacht was still docked.  I would say it was.  This thing was huge.

Brody thought it was way cool to see this big "ship" but he wondered why we couldn't go onboard and check it out.

Pretty tired boy from a great field trip.

There was a Jags game that night and I let Brody use my ticket because as you can see from how he is dressed it was going to be pretty cold.  He had a blast!!

I stayed home and Trevor and I made cookies!!

A little breakfast snack for their classes on their last day of school before Christmas break - they also wore pi's for school.