What a wonderful Christmas!

Lucas and Adam checking out the presents left by Santa.

Lucas riding on Rudolph

Lucas playing with the blinds in his Rudolph shirt

Adam riding Rudolph

Adam hanging out with the presents

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. The night before Christmas Eve we opened our gifts for each other and to the boys. Lucas loved his Tag Jr., books, chef accessories, tools, and more. Adam didn't really care to open anything and just wanted to play with Lucas' toys. He got a dump truck, book, CD player, and more. Andy & I determined that we like exchanging our gifts to each other after the boys are fast asleep, it's much more relaxing.

On Christmas Eve we hosted the Rudolph's. As usual there were a ton of gifts and Lucas ripped some paper off of just about every one regardless if it was for him or not. We had a wonderful time with the boys and the Rudolph family. The boys also received a special gift from Aunt Donna & Uncle Rod: a rocking musical Rudolph. They both love it!

Lucas was very excited on Christmas Eve to put out cookies and milk for Santa and carrots for the reindeer on our special Rudolph plate. On Christmas morning, Lucas was so excited that the food was all gone except for the ends of the carrots. He was very anxious to head downstairs to see what Santa left for him. He loved his art easel, piano, and computer game. Adam liked his peek-a-boo blocks, Scout (talking dog), and Spin and learn city. Santa also brought the boys some food and lots of goodies in their stocking (including an orange and a yo-yo ball for Lucas).

On Christmas Day we headed to Grandma Eileen's and Grandpa Jim's to celebrate with the Embrey's. The boys had a great time with family and with their gifts. As usual the boys were spoiled by all their grandparents, aunts, and uncles on both sides of the family.

How lucky we are to have such wonderful family and to have so many blessings! I've added a slide show of pictures from December. I have decided it's nearly impossible to get Lucas to sit still and smile for a picture, so most of his are either blurry from him moving or the back of his head. Enjoy!

Christmas Cookies

The boys and I made Christmas Cookies for Santa this week. Lucas got to decorate them with sprinkles. Every time I asked if he was done and we could put them in the oven, he said "One more minute, Mommy!" He ate some dough and some sprinkles throughout our time in the kitchen and at one point he looked at me and said "I burped sugar, Mommy!". He told me that Santa was going to sneak these cookies when he come Christmas Eve. He can't wait for Santa to come and eat his sprinkle cookies. Adam hung out in the high chair watching and eating puffs for the end of cookie baking. Daddy gave him a few sprinkles and he thought they were very tasty. I included a video of Lucas talking about his cookies.

Christmas Gathering & 9 months old

Jaxson & Adam

Adam turned 9 months old this weekend and it seems like he has matured a ton. This weekend he started walking behind push toys, clapping, and climbing the stairs. We have a doctor's appointment on Monday to see how much he has grown. He continues to be a wonderful little guy and now that he can move, he rarely leaves Lucas' side. Sometimes Lucas likes this and sometimes he does not. We frequently hear, "No, Adam, No, backup!"

We also hosted the Embrey family at our house this weekend for our annual Christmas party. This included my immediate family along with my aunts and uncles, cousins and their families. This year we were significantly bigger than last as we have added 3 new babies to the family. Justin's son Jaxson is 6 weeks younger than Adam and the two of them played great together. Jessica's son Noah is 2 months old and has alot more hair than Adam and Jaxson. Apparently, Jaxson and Adam are following the Embrey way and staying bald. I've included a picture of all the Embrey boys. There's Justin holding his son Jaxson, Uncle Terry holding Jessica's son Noah, Dad holding Adam, and Nathan holding Lucas. We've got to get some girls in here :) We gave extra thanks at our Christmas gathering this year since Dad and Terry have both recently had surgeries and were both fighting pain and discomfort in order to be there with us. My dad had both of his knees replaced earlier this month and Terry had a pacemaker put in 2 days earlier. Both are doing very well and will be good as new very soon!

As part of the festivities, Lucas and I started a new Rudolph family tradition. Lucas' favorite Christmas book is Rudolph's Christmas Party. In it Rudolph throws a surprise party for Santa and Mrs. Claus makes a Christmas cake. I found a recipe and Lucas and I made our first Christmas cake. We decorated it with candy canes and holly just like Mrs. Claus. We took a picture and plan to make this a tradition for years to come, because the cake was very yummy.

Happy Holidays!

We are thoroughly enjoying preparing for Christmas with the boys. Each of them love the Christmas tree and all our decorations, but they don't mess with too much. Lucas looks forward to the chocolate from the advent calendar every night after baths. Lucas and Adam love reading their Christmas books about Santa and Baby Jesus. Lucas enjoys looking at the nativity and keeps moving the sheep right next to and on top of Baby Jesus, he says it's because the sheep want to see him. Lucas is also enjoying the holiday TV specials and singing numerous Christmas songs. We baked a few Christmas cookies this weekend and Lucas loved putting on the sprinkles. My what a difference is makes viewing Christmas through the eyes of a child. I've included a video of Lucas talking about Christmas.

Adam is still rather oblivious to the fact that Christmas is coming, but he is making great strides in other areas. Adam is crawling quickly on all fours (yeah, he did not inherit Lucas' monkey crawl). Adam now looks at you when you say his name and understands and obeys "No-No" the marjority of the time. He is continuing to say MaMa and DaDa and has added Hi to his vocabulary. If you wave at him he will wave back and say "Hi". We weighed the boys and Adam weighs only 2 pounds less than Lucas, so he is continuing to be a big boy. I've included a video of Adam crawling below. Enjoy!

St. Nick's Day

Audrey & Lucas at breakfast in 2009



Lucas & Audrey at breakfast in 2008 (what a difference!)

Adam with his stocking and St. Nick gifts

The boys eating their fruit from St. Nick

We went the St. Nick's Pancake Breakfast at St. Wendel today with the Fisher family. Lucas and Audrey loved their pancakes and sausage and Adam enjoyed his yummy applesauce. After breakfast the kids got to sit on Santa's lap. I think all three of them got some good pictures with Santa. Lucas ran right up to Santa, sat in his lap, and told him that he wanted fruit and a yo-yo. Adam just smiled the whole time.

We came home and all 4 of us were able to take a 2 hour nap (this was Mommy & Daddy's St. Nick gift) and while we were sleeping St. Nick came to visit as a reminder that Christmas is coming. Lucas was so excited to get presents in his stocking. He got a Farmer Jed book, an ornament that he promptly hung on the tree, and an apple. Adam thought his stuff was cool too. He got a book, ornament, and fruit as well. Daddy got a grapefruit and Mommy got our traditional family ornament. What a wonderful day!