Christmas

This is post number 4 today! I am on a roll!

 Christmas was lots of fun! The boys learned that Santa was the big guy in a red suit and he said ho ho ho, and that baby Jesus was in the nativity. But that is about the extent of their Christmas comprehension. Even though they weren't bursting with excitement anticipating Santa's arrival on Christmas Eve, I think I had enough for all of us. I was beyond excited to see their reaction to their presents and the basement (see the next post). They loved ripping open the presents, and loved their new things. Overall, it was a success! I even think I surprised Ryan with a few things. It was nice to have our first Christmas in our new house and start fun traditions together. It was also my first Christmas not working on or the day after Christmas since being married! While I do sometimes miss working as a nurse, not worrying about holiday schedules is a perk. And of course, nothing beats getting to spend my days with these cute boys!

Before going in the front room we had a little breakfast picnic in our bedroom. We wanted them happy and ready to play. It was fun, but I don't think we will be able to keep this up once they get older and know something is out there waiting for them.

These were easily some of their favorite presents. Juice boxes in their stockings.

At the bottom of the stairs we had the door wrapped and two little presents for them. They were these cute shoes to wear while playing downstairs.

They loved it which made it all worth it!

This year has gone by so quickly. I can't believe it has almost been a year since we have been back in Idaho. We have been so blessed! I am grateful for Ryan's good job that allows me to stay home and spend these precious times with my boys. I love our little family more than I can express. I'm excited for this next year. As much as I hate to see the boys get older, it will be fun to see how much they grow and learn. I am excited for all the fun things we will be able to do as a family!

Our Basement

One of the boys' big presents this year was the basement. We made a "fun land" for them downstairs since we have an unfinished basement. While I like to claim it is for them to learn and grow, lets face it... it is mainly for my sanity. I was worried that winter would get pretty long being stuck inside with two active toddlers. So here is what we did...

The pictures are all out of order and I refuse to waste anymore time on Blogger by fixing them.

They got this kitchen courtesy of  some crazy Walmart Black Friday shopping. They also got it stocked with dishes and food. Spoiled? Yes.

Reading tent.  I sewed 4 pillowcases together and stuffed them for them to lounge on-thank you pinterest.

Ryan made this fun craft table for them. The table top is interchangeable. This is obviously the chalkboard side. It can also get taller when they grow!

Foam blocks which we meticulously covered in fabric so they wouldn't fall apart.

Dried corn in pool-pretty self explanatory

Our favorite part- The Ball Pit! My husband is pretty handy if I do say so myself.

Slide

Ryan hooked up a little sink where our bathroom will someday be so the boys can wash up after projects.

Swings

And we brought their bikes inside. The reading fort is in the background. 

To say I was excited for them to see it all is an understatement.
So fun!

December

For those of you that didn't get a Christmas card, my apologies. Here we are. Taking these pictures did not go as planned due to sick boys, weather, life... So one night we finally set the camera on a timer and told the boys to say cheese. Obviously, they didn't. We did have a great month though. We did a lot of 

fun things together.

Love this picture

.

First time playing in the snow. They really did like it, even though they look less than amused in this picture.

This is by far their favorite snow activity.

They got to see a camel at the Journey to Bethlehem activity at our stake. I wish you could hear them make the camel sound. It's pretty funny.

I made these "brooms" one day on a whim, and they are their new favorite toys. They seriously love these things. Its so funny. I don't know why we bothered getting them Christmas presents.

We went to Utah for some family Christmas parties. Do I have a single picture of the parties...no. But I do have a cute picture of Braden. He fell asleep reading on the way home and I thought it was pretty cute.

December Crafts

Magnetic nativity

The boys are really good at gluing these days. I put spot of glue and they stick the cotton balls.

We made a few salt dough ornaments and handed some out to grandparents.

These are their handprints, but you can't really tell

Santa is made with contact paper. I love that stuff!

Ginger bread man ornaments

Kegan ate more than he decorated

Braden actually decorated

I think Kegan is getting sick of me taking so many pictures. They painted red on white paper then I cut it into candy cane shapes. Then they decorated their bedroom door.