Christmas 2009
Christmas 2009 was simply awesome! I feel so thankful to have such wonderful family and friends to share the holidays with. Braeden’s Christmas mostly involved Baseball (Phillie’s baseball particularly) and Mikey’s Christmas was all about trains. It was so much fun to see Mikey really get into Christmas and Santa. He was so thrilled with each gift he opened- which started about a week before Christmas. When we asked him who gave him each present (even before Christmas morning), he’d say, “Santa gave it to Mikey, this is Mikey’s present.” The Friday before Christmas was Braeden’s last day of school before the break. It was pajama day and also the Terrific Kid ceremony for December (which Braeden proudly accepted). He was so cute as he waited for his turn (kindergarten was first then first grade, and then second grade). He looked like an old pro (as this is his THIRD year in a row getting the award) compared to the cute little 5 year old’s nervously standing in line. We are just as proud of that little guy as we were the first time he was awarded.
I worked Monday, Tuesday and a half day on Wed the week of Christmas and then received (along with a beautiful picture frame and a gift certificate to a spa), 7 paid working days OFF. I type this blog as Mike and I hang out in our hotel in Rocky Mount, NC (a perfect half way point between home and where he is working in VA) enjoying a weekend alone. It has been a great way to cap off a great holiday. I am so not looking forward to going back to work on Monday, but I feel so blessed to have such a generous boss.
Mike’s Mom and I went to Christmas service at the church on the 23rd. The service was as beautiful as it is each year (and something I will really miss next Christmas). My parents, sister and brother-in-law came in town on Christmas Eve day and Mike arrived later that evening. Christmas Eve we all gathered at our house and had some snacks and let the boys open a couple presents.
Here’s Braeden opening his gift from my sister and her husband Lorne-
“Look, it’s an Ipod!”
“I LOVE my Aunt Lisa,Uuncle Lorne and new Ipod”
The boys also opened several gifts from uncle Jack and his girlfriend Lisa-
A dinosaur book-
and matching pajamas-
Mikey’s turn-
“Thanks Uncle Jack and Lisa!”
Braeden had a little trouble falling asleep Christmas Eve (I remember when I was that age, I could never fall asleep and would wake up WAY earlier than I was allowed on Christmas Morning). Mike turned on the portable DVD player and before B knew it……
SANTA CAME and it was Christmas morning! We could hear the boys talking in the baby monitor and Braeden was calling Daddy. Mikey (who was asleep before Mike got home Christmas Eve), said very matter of factly, “Daddy is not here Braeden.” SO cute, but also sad that Daddy had been gone awhile that he just assumed he was not there.
The first thing Mikey noticed and ran to was his new Thomas the Train toy-
Braeden opening the gift from Mommy and Daddy. I ordered this gift back in October and was SO excited for him to open it-
His reaction to the gift was ALL I needed for Christmas-
“Look, a framed collage of Chase Utley!”
His new Utley Collage goes perfectly with the framed Phillie’s Stadium he opened earlier in the week from Nana and Roy-
And in keeping with the Philadelphia theme, his new Eagles shirt he also got from Nana and Roy. Daddy Aaron and Nancy got him a new Eagles jersey, but it hasn’t come in yet. I will take a picture as soon as he puts it on-
Mikey looking at one of his gifts from Santa-
It’s a Little People’s Fire Station (he is still fascinated with Fire Trucks)-
Aunt Lisa and Uncle Lorne got Mikey a train table-
“Ya ya, love the table, thanks Uncle Lorne now can I go play!”
Mikey got a Thomas book and train from Nana and Roy-
After the boys had opened enough gifts for 20 little boys, they got to do it all over again at Mike’s parents when we went over for Christmas dinner-
Braeden got a baseball throwing net (among many other things)-
Mikey got a Polar Express train-
He sat on the floor in the middle of the train and watched it all night long-
We all went downtown the day after Christmas to have lunch, shop and see the train display at one of the hotels. Mikey of course was in heaven!
He couldn’t take his eyes off the 3 trains on the tracks-
We managed a couple quick pictures-
Thank you also to Aunt Heather and Uncle Nathan for the baseball pinball, book (next to his foot)-
Potato gun and the Go Fish game for Mikey-
Cita and Pops for UCreate-
And to everyone else who sent gifts or cards to the boys, Mike or I. We appreciate everything so much.
2009 was certainly a year filled with many ups and downs, many struggles, but mostly so much God-given goodness. We ended the year appreciating ALL of that goodness, promising to focus more on and be thankful for it in the new year and praying for health, happiness and many blessings from our loving God, to all of our friends and family. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!