Christmas in July

I have actually entertained the idea of skipping over the past 6 months and just blogging on the here and now, but I just can't. I am not quite sure whether it is the Type A in me, or the actuality that this printed blog is a scrapbook for our family to look back over. Either way, here I am, in July, reviewing our Christmas 2013 photos. This "being behind" business is bittersweet. I am enjoying looking back and remembering these past six months, but I am also reminded that I allowed myself to get so caught up in my work, and in mundane tasks that I let this go for too long. Since New Year's is merely a week after Christmas, and I am amidst writing a Christmas post, maybe now is a good time to make a resolution. I will not let work get the best of me this coming school year!  (Hold me to that, mom!)

Without further ado, here she is, folks: Christmas 2013!

One tradition that my parents started when I was little was to start the morning off (before opening presents even!) reading through Luke 2- the original Christmas story. We decided to continue this tradition with our boys as well.

Daddy and his boys reading Luke 2

Ethan loved his R2D2 stocking stuffer!

Board games were a hit this year for our almost 5 year old!

He also loved his table hockey game! 

**Since then, the players have all been removed from their table positions and are now played with a top the kitchen table at random**

Ethan loved his new Mickey Mouse Clubhouse!

Aunt Sue and Landon having a tickle fight!

Reading of Luke 2 at Nana & Grandpop's

Silas' 1st Christmas was this year! Aunt Laura always leaves a lipstick kiss mark on her nephews' faces!

Our feeble attempt at a picture of the three grandboys.

Annual sisters new PJ pants pic- Thanks, mom! :)

Me, my sisters, and my madre. <3 p="">

FOP Santa Visit!

Greg's FOP has an annual Santa Lunch that we were able to finally attend this year. One of the perks to his new position as detective is that he has weekends off! Woohoo!!

Waiting for Santa to arrive on the fire truck!! 

Here he is!!

Landon standing in shock...or disbelief. :)

I've been a good boy this year! :)

 Notice how we do not have a picture of Ethan with Santa? That's because he is just a TAD afraid. :)

The boys and their opened present from Santa

Greg, the boys, and McGruff! 

However...Ethan is NOT afraid of McGruff! He kept walking up to him and giving him hi 5's. 

Family pictures with Santa

(as close as we could get Ethan to the bearded man) 

November- Thankful for FAMILY

The last time we had professional family pictures done was when Ethan was about 6 weeks old. A friend of ours is a photographer and offered a great deal, so we couldn't resist. My hope was to update our family tree photo collage that hangs above our stairwell in the living room with these photos...hopefully I will get to it before summer's end!

Here are a few of my favorites!

 

 I love lovin' on my boys!!

Daddy and his boys!

One of my favorite nice family pictures

We're going to kiss you!! 

(Perfect capture of their typical reactions!)

They are the best of friends...and they also tend to know how to get on each other's nerves a bit. ;)

A typical day in our lives! :) Love this!!

We also made our annual trip down to my sister, Laura's, house this November.  We had a great time, and the kids had a blast playing together and finishing off their day with basketball and smore's!

Eeek! I just couldn't do it! They also had alligator something or other and frog legs!

Call me non-adventurous, but I just COULDN'T!

Shades, dude? Perhaps to block the smoke. :)

Granddad and Greg manning the campfire!

Basketball game!

Jed helped Ethan to score too!

Good, ol' family fun! 

Sarah and Silas! :)

We were able to get our 2nd annual family shot. I always love looking at this one!!

Halloween 2013

As has been our tradition the past few years, we met up with our friends, Lori, Darren, Caden (and Nana Karen) to trick or treat around their neighborhood. Our boys just love Caden and the four of us love seeing our kids have fun together! When you're friends with a couple before kids, getting to see your kids become just as good friends as you are puts an extra big smile on your face.

Jengo Fett (from Star Wars) and Batman!

And, me too! R2D2! 

Jengo Fett with his mask on

Poor R2D2 could never quite keep up with his big brother and Caden

Who darted from house to house!

Eventually he would catch up, but the long robe sorta got in the way of climbing big stone steps. 

Hi Mom!

The daddies (and Lori) having fun too!

We also have made it a tradition to drive over to Mommom and Poppop's house around the corner to trick or treat. Sometimes Nana and Grandpop are able to join, but for some reason, they couldn't this year. (Since it is July and I am JUST now catching up on this post that's probably why I don't remember haha)

This seems to be the only picture I got trick or treating at Mommom's! Not only have I been slacking on updating our blog, but I slacked on taking pictures too! :(

The boys had a blast, as always! Landon is already talking about what he wants to be this coming Halloween. I am crossing my fingers that he changes his mind...ANOTHER Star Wars character! AH! I can't! That would make 3 years in a row!