Happy Holidays! It seems the minute we came home from Georgia, the holiday spirit fell upon us. Our first stop was to the tree farm. It is a Clark Griswald style tradition for us to load up the family and head to the endless rows of green to find "the one." Cooper and I ho-hummed about what we should do first...tractor ride to the tree area, Santa Claus visit, living nativity scene or hot cocoa and popcorn. As predicted, the John Deere tractor ride trumped all other activities this day.
Nothing like a crabby Cooper to get you in the spirit. Fortunately, he pulled himself together for a few moments....
I found the perfect tree, a little small, but probably easy to decorate. My evil twin had to copy my smart problem-solving abilities and found a "branch" that he wanted for a tree.
Next stop at the tree farm... Mr. and Mrs. Claus' house. I was THRILLED to tell Santa that I wanted "MY OWN SNOWMOBILE!" Santa gave my Daddy and Mommy a concerned look, not sure what that meant?
Cooper couldn't quite get any words out because he was trembling in fear. I guess that means Santa won't bring him anything this year.
The live nativity is a neat little petting zoo area. We made a quick stop there to feed the animals. As usual, I liked the goats the best...silly creatures!
The following weekend, while Mommy prepared for her cookie exchange, Daddy and I went to my preschool for the Angel breakfast. I was able to bring one "angel" to school for special activities and a yummy breakfast. It was nice to have Daddy all to myself. Mommy told me that she gets to go next year, sorry Dad.
That evening, our town hosts a Christmas Wonderland Parade. It was like we were in a snow globe while watching the parade. The snow poured down while we watched the parade go by. It was sooooo pretty, despite that we got soaking wet! Santa made a guest appearance at the end of the parade. He seemed to recognize me from the tree farm because he gave me a big wave as he went by.
Chloe came to the parade along with a few other of Mommy/Daddy's friends and children. We did a good job of sharing all of our wet candy.
Here come a few random photos from the past two weeks. Since Jenny loves to stay busy with us, she decided to have an indoor picnic for lunch one day. We LOVED the picnic and it must have been one great trick as we ate everything up on our plates that day. Thanks Jenny!
Mommy heard lots of giggling one morning and she found Cooper and I having fun with Q-tips. She is thankful we didn't rupture anything in our ears that day and was reminded that the simplest things around home make the best toys. Notice my mismatched jammies??? I now insist on going to bed at night without a diaper. I am about 75% successful with staying dry, but not this morning obviously. I also strive to be independent and if I have an accident, I stand on my chair, get new undies and find new jammy pants all by myself and in the dark. My parents can tell in one glance the next morning how the night went.
One day, I hollered for Mommy to come help while I was in the bathroom. I told her to put "PEOPLE" away and please get me the "church magazine." She is second guessing the notion that boys are low maintenance.
We went to Papa's and Grandma Sharon's to celebrate Christmas with them. They booked a trip to Cabo in December and will spend Christmas in Indiana (Grandma Sharon's house). So, we headed to the cities for a Christmas lunch and gift opening.
We couldn't wait to find out what the grand finale gift was.... a JOHN DEERE GATOR!
Cooper and I hoped and dreamed that the Gator was actually inside of this box. Papa and Grandma Sharon must have known that we fight like brothers should over the John Deere tractor trailer in the garage. We now have a two-seater which means I get to drive, Cooper gets to sit, and if I get tired of him, all I need to do is make one sharp turn.
Cousins Lexi and Sam received motorized Razors, so I am thinking we can trade when we need a change of scenery.
I couldn't WAIT to get my hands on that steering wheel. After 24 hours of charging the new battery, we took it for a spin, literally. The tires spun and spun and spun. Whoever makes these toys doesn't factor in snow and ice. Maybe Daddy can make chains for the tires?
It was a bit sad for our family this year as we decorated our tree with the many beautiful Swarovski ornaments from Great-Grandpa Jim. Grandpa passed away in August this year and he is dearly missed. Our tree is most beautiful at night when the ornaments sparkle and remind us that Grandpa Jim was a true light in our lives. To carry on the tradition, Papa gave us this year's Swarovski ornament (above) along with a few smaller ones for our tree. Here are a few of our favorites from Grandpa from years past....
This one is not a Swarovski, but is a Waterford Bears collection that Grandpa Jim gave me when I was still in Mommy's tummy.
Here are the stockings all hung on the fireplace ready to be filled. Our house is decorated, goodies are baked, most presents are purchased, lights are on the outside of the house.... we love this time of the year!
My preschool had a Christmas Program this week and I just couldn't wait to sing my little heart out... at home that is. During the program, I occasionally did motions (we do a lot of sign language with our music) always clapped for myself at the end of each song (just like the audience) and mostly stood up there with a very serious expression. My parents loved how all of us 3 year olds did our "own thing" during the sing. They will never forget this cute day. Mommy worried that maybe I didn't listen when my teacher taught the songs,until I opened my mouth and sang all of the words to Away in a Manger that night at home. My parents just don't understand that not everyone in this world has a Type A personality.
Our last event was this past weekend. Grammy Lois' side of the family gathers for a weekend at a hotel to celebrate Christmas. They always choose a waterpark and we went to a great one this weekend! There are tons of kids to play with. Here I am with Wyatt (above) who likes to drink Hawaiian punch and was a good buddy of mine all weekend.
And this is Anna, who is 5 months older than Cooper and also uses a pacifier. Anna looks like little Cindy Lou Who but she is the youngest of 5 girls (yes, 5 girls), so she can hold her own. Cooper snuck a quick grab at her doll, can you see his expression?!?!?! How great is that :)
Now, this is more like it... John Deere cultivator! We opened gifts from the exchange and then Santa made a very special guest appearance. He gave me a Nerf basketball hoop for the door and he gave Cooper some blocks. I love talking to this guy!
Cooper does not love this guy, but he doesn't realize the true benefits of Santa yet. He shook in fear, but pulled himself together to give Santa a high-five, followed by some traumatized expressions and a final wave goodbye. Little does he know that Mommy is hitting the mall Santa this week, poor Cooper.
My favorite part of the hotel was the elevator. My parents gave each other worried expressions since I became "stuck" on the whole elevator concept. I asked if I could ride it? Push buttons? Does it use a motor? Gasoline? Can I push the bell button...oops. Does the elevator take naps? Can we go on it? Again? Again? Can we put one in our house? Maybe that is what I should ask Santa for!
The other fantastic perk of our hotel was the awesome waterpark. I am quite the daredevil to my parents surprise. I wanted to go on all waterslides but had to settle for the smaller ones since I didn't meet the height requirement for the huge tunnel one. I wish I kept my shoes on.
Cooper loved the waterpark too, especially the fast slides and the big water basket that dumped water onto our heads.
No peeing in the pool Cooper.
We raced 2x2 down the slides and Mommy/Caden team won!
Cooper had to try everything out, even the baby swings.
Cooper and I slept great thanks to the waterpark, Christmas party, and many cousins that kept us busy.
We can't believe it is already Christmas week! All I have to do now is HOPE that Santa will bring me my snowmobile and some snow in time for the big day. We close with our Christmas card this post (sorry that the right side got a bit cut-off).... Enjoy this busy week and remember that true meaning behind Christmas... baby Jesus.
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