Christmas Day.

After our Christmas morning as a four-some, we headed out for visits to both families. We started with my parents where the boys received Transformers Construct Bots (Fawn) and tools (Small Fry) from my parents and precious Christmas train music boxes from my grandparents.

We let them stay in their pj's all day. They looked cute and were comfy.

Fawn was really into the music box. In fact, both boys loved winding and opening them. They are really cute and I'm hoping it's something we can keep working and pass down to their families.

Bumblebee Construct Bot. Love this excited face!

Optimus Prime and Megatron too.

Pops started on construction duty.

Small Fry received this jackhammer and a toolbox filled with toy tools. He had been trying to snatch Fawn's tools for most of December so it was a well-timed gift.

Fawn was happy to help Mimi open her presents from us.

Small Fry was happy to jackhammer on Mimi's leg.

Fawn and I continued our work on Optimus Prime.

Very funny toy.

Family shot.

Take two hundred.

After a nice, relaxed visit at Mimi and Pops' house, we headed to Buck's parents' house. It was our first Christmas in both sets of parents new houses and it was nice to make memories in their new homes. Fawn was thrilled to open Imaginext Dinos and Small Fry loved his Legos. We had a great time visiting with Lulu and Doc and Buck's siblings, and Small Fry was thrilled to eat his body weight in Sister Shubert rolls ("'nother biscuit?").

What boy doesn't love a dino that shoots a weapon?

Jake and the Neverland Pirates legos!

Another dino so they can battle.

Choo choo train Legos.

After some down time and toy time at home, we opened our house up for any family members who wanted to see the boys more or wanted some food. Buck made his famous turkey chili -- it is distinct and divine. We also served some appetizers and our spread of Christmas cookies. Fawn did a BB gun demonstration for Buck's parents and sister. We hadn't seen my brother and his wife yet and loved that they could drop by. We were especially thrilled that Uncle Ben was around for lego construction since they gave Fawn a pretty complicated Power Rangers lego set. 

I don't know who is more excited.

Small Fry realized that his Jake Lego set included a canon and bullet.

A mess.

 Making progress.

I love this picture of my sweet Mom and Small Fry. He adores her.

Sweet, sweet nugget.

Fun cuddles.

Christmas joy.

Christmas Morning.

Buck and I are possessive over our Christmas morning with our boys. It is ours -- and theirs -- to enjoy in our house making family memories that will provide them comfort and stability throughout their days. When they have children, I want them to do the same thing for their children. While seeing extended family is so important -- and a blessing -- it's also nice for our little unit to make independent memories. And, it's nice to start the holiday by just "being" -- in the comfort of their home.

This Christmas morning was so much fun! Fawn was just over the moon. He was so excited to open presents and to see if Santa fulfilled his wishes. He asked Santa for (1) Tenkai Knights; (2) Transformers; and (3) a Power Rangers Gosei Morpher. He really took is pretty easy on Santa this year. Small Fry isn't quite old enough to make a list for Santa, but Fawn was happy to help a brother out. He told me that Small Fry really wanted (1) something Mickey Mouse; (2) something Thomas the Train; and (3) a dump truck.

Santa always leaves some little gems in the stockings -- like this Legends of Chima book.

Please notice the cookie in Small Fry's right hand. He had no clue about the presents, but zeroed in on the half eaten cookie for Santa and went straight for it. 

Wearing a new Alabama hat from Santa and opening Transformers from Santa.

Santa left this fellow a Mickey Mouse seek and find book in his stocking. It was captivating.

As Fawn and Buck examine the Tenkai Knights, Small Fry continues his seek and find activities.

Buck decides to take matters into his own hands.

Still seeking.

Finally distracted by presents.

Fawn was SO PRECIOUS delivering his gifts this year. He was especially excited to give Small Fry this Mickey Mouse fire truck. (He was also proud of camo gloves for Belle and an Optimus Prime t-shirt for Buck.)

We surprised the boys with some little gifts and gave them each a "big" present. Fawn got a BB gun. To say he was pumped is an understatement.

Small Fry got a ball pit. Just what he needs, fifty more balls.

But, he was SO HAPPY!

And sweet Fawn got in on the action, which was totally expected by us and welcome by Small Fry.

Merry, merry Christmas precious boys! You bring us more joy than you will ever know. We know the years of Christmas magic with little ones are few and fleeting. But, they bring with them precious memories that will last a lifetime. And, they are such balm for this mama's soul. Thank you for these days and these moments! We love you!

Christmas Eve.

We were so lucky that Buck didn't have to work on Christmas Eve and spent the whole day with us! We had a nice, normal day at home spending time with those we hold most dear. I cooked our now "traditional" Christmas Eve brunch which we ate in the dining room on Christmas china and towel-covered dining room chairs. I mean, they are still little children. It was special, though; and I think Fawn especially felt grown-up and special. Both boys devoured brunch -- especially the monkey bread.

We went to 4:30 Christmas Eve church. I really wanted Fawn to sit with us -- he is old enough for the Christmas Eve service, which is very hymn-heavy and light on a long sermon. And, I was terrified to send Small Fry to the nursery. Birmingham was filled with sickness -- the flu (which I came down with the Thursday before Christmas despite getting the flu shot!), strep throat, and a nasty stomach virus were all imposing their will. We had plans to all go to the farm after Christmas and not only did I want my little ones to stay well but I also did not want sick children to interfere with Buck's well-deserved vacation time. So armed with lollipops off to church we went. It was...interesting. Fawn did great -- except for the children's message. He did not want to be sitting at the front with the pastor and literally just stared out at Buck with a blank stare throughout. Small Fry wanted to be up there but there was no way I was letting my crazy kid run free in church. So during the children's message and the homily he and I paced outside the sanctuary while he delighted the ushers by running away from me and indulging in the water fountain. Then during the candlelight rendition of Silent Night I had to keep lighting our candle and blowing it out because he has no fear. We made it though -- and celebrated the birth of our savior with our little ones.

After dinner, we put out cookies for Santa and sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn, read some Christmas stories and tucked the little ones into bed. Fawn was insistent that everyone be quiet and go to sleep so Santa would come. Buck and I didn't quite follow his orders -- we enjoyed a delicious filet dinner just the two of us, in the dining room. Delicious date night on Christmas Eve -- another one of my favorite holiday traditions.

Advent Activities.

This was the third year we utilized an Advent calendar to complete activities throughout Advent. I've gotten a bit smarter though -- waiting until the night before to actually put the activity in the calendar instead of planning the month ahead of time. That way I can vary our activities based on weather, sickness, and just what's going on. This year, Fawn had a couple special activities with his grandmothers that were just for him -- going to the IPC Advent Workshop with Mimi and going to a gingerbread house building afternoon at the country club with Lulu. We also went to see Santa, went to Zoolight Safari, went to the Winter Wonderland at McWane, drove around to look at Christmas lights, and completed many cooking and crafting activities at home. It was a fun time of preparation for Christmas -- and Small Fry got in on some of the action.

We repeated the ice cream cone Christmas trees from last year.

They were a hit again.

Merry merry.

Both loves helped with most activities, including cookies for Santa.

A little rest after hard work.

It Started with Snowman Tic Tac Toe.

Small Fry has no idea but loves to say "tic-tac-toe three in a row" over and over and over. Fawn loves consistently winning.

Sweet little brother.

Sweet big brother.

Now for the double brother picture -- little is looking.

Now big is looking. Photoshop anyone?

Who is this leaning in towards me?

Maybe if we stick our tongues out she will quit taking our picture.

Oh, that didn't work? What if we yell at the top of our lungs? 

Game. Score. Match.