oh so long since a post

I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. I did however, fall on my arm. Thanks to all kinds of legal stuff I probably can't disclose how this all went down, but I am sure that I am allowed to say OUCH!!! Haven't been able to blog in a long time....but sooner or later I'll get back to this when I have use of both hands to type. I have lots of updates: Brendan's last well baby visit, James' latest hilarious statements, my New Year's resolutions, my profound love of my nook, and my newest addition - coupons! But for now I leave you with his cute picture and a promise to blog more real soon!

By the way, this picture is the boy's fall school picture (James age 2, Brendan 15 months....now they are 3 and almost 18 months...EEECK! Slow down time!)

Merry Christmas to All, and to All a Good Night!

Christmas is as magical as when you are a kid when you become a parent to a child old enough to understand what you are celebrating. James loved the whole thing and I can't wait for Brendan to get excited too!

We went down to Houston and celebrated with my parents. Their house was decorated so beautifully. There were poinsettias and pine cones and a Christmas village set up. My mom had set up multiple nativity scenes. There were two big Christmas trees and one tiny little tree just for James and Brendan. It was decorated with photo ornaments of the boys and special kiddie ornaments. There was even a little nativity scene just for them. Leave it to my mom to come up with something that sweet. All of our stockings hung on the mantle. The kitchen was stocked with spiced pecans, homemade date loaf and orange slice cookies. It was pure Christmas. What a wonderful memory!

We left out cookies that we had baked for Santa and the boys were THRILLED with the train table and other goodies Santa left on Christmas morning. James and Brendan both got excited opening gifts, although James was really more into it of course. I cannot wait for next year! It will be great!

The day after Christmas we had friends and family over. It was such a special opportunity to get us all together in one place. One of the best parts was seeing James and Brendan with their second cousins who are all near their age. What a rambunctious group of boys we have!!!

We all had such a wonderful time together as a family that we decided to spend every Christmas at my parents' house. It was so special. I know the boys will have fantastic Christmas memories as they grow up!