It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

We are all decorated for Christmas and if you can imagine the boys were a huge help. This year we put up two trees. One is the big tree (Will calls it mommy and daddy's tree or the pretty tree) and then we put up a small tree for the boys to decorate with ornaments they have made over the years. The boys are so excited about Christmas and it brings great joy to mommy and daddy to see their eyes sparkle with excitement as they talk about it. These are the moments that parenting is the best!!

Landon rode his bike around the house pretty much the entire time we were decorating.

Mommy and daddy's tree. The boys helped decorate this tree too and as you can see most of the ornaments are towards the bottom or at least in their reach.

This is Will and Landon's tree. It has colored lights and Will's favorite is the lighted star on top. The boys decorated it all by themselves and they did a great job. Everyday the boys will move a couple ornaments around to a different part of the tree. It's so fun to watch them with such joy in their eyes. The boys decorated the tree skirt the other day with their hand prints which turn out so cute and will be cherished for years to come.

The boys love playing with the Nativity Scene and learning about the real meaning of Christmas.

Thanksgiving 2009

This year Thanksgiving was in Florida and we were lucky enough to have a lot of mommy's family here with us. Julie's family came from Salisbury, Myra and Kip from Hickory, Nana, Pop, Grandmother and Uncle John from Hendersonville, and Uncle Tom and Ginny from Lakeland, Florida. We had a full house and LOTS of wonderful food. Everyone chipped in on the cooking, which means we had a very full kitchen. After we were all stuffed, the brave ones took the kids to the park while the rest stayed behind to let the turkey soak in. We have a lot to be thankful for and we were glad to get the opportunity to celebrate our blessings with family.

The kids made turkeys out of pumpkins for the center pieces on the tables.

The boys spending some quality time with Grandmother.

The boys had fun playing football with Pop.

Heading to the park to let out some energy.

Sea World

Instead of going shopping the day after Thanksgiving, we all were treated to Sea World by Grandmother. This was Will, Landon, Sarah and Brian's first visit. The trip couldn't have come at a better time for Will who is deeply fascinated with all things of the sea. We saw all the favorites; Shamu, the Dolphin Show and Will of course loved the sharks. Mommy even got to ride a new roller coaster at the park "The Manta". Daddy was happy to stay safely on the ground with the kids, while mommy rode the ride with Julie, Jeff, Myra, Kip and Uncle John. Mommy described it as the most "twisted" ride she has ever ridden and she has ridden a lot of roller coasters in her life. The ride is totally opposite from normal roller coasters, as you spend most of the ride face down in a horizontal position. Just picture flying through the air strapped to the belly of a Manta Ray. We had a great day at the park and are so thankful that we got to spend it with family.

The Shamu Show

Grandmother with all four of her great grand kids

Julie, Jeff, Sarah and Brian

Nana, Pop, Will, Landon, Sarah and Brian

Landon and mommy on the Merry-Go-Round

Will riding the shark on the Merry Go Round

Daddy, Will and Landon on the Jelly Fish ride. Mommy was glad to stay behind and take pictures as this ride is just like tea cups that spin.

The Shark Tunnel was Will's favorite at the park. We walked through a glass tunnel with sharks all around us.

All four of the kids with their Great Uncle John

This is the most beautiful horse!! Check out its feet.

Sarah, Will and Landon learning about a turtle shell.

The dolphin show was fantastic!!

The penguins were very fascinating to watch. They are pretty funny animals. Some of them would just stand around, while others would try to walk, slip on the ice, dive into the water and swim around. It reminds you of the movie Happy Feet.

Miniature Golf

Will has been wanting to go play miniature golf, so we told him that if he did good on his report card we would take him. Well, he did great on his report card so Aunt Myra and mommy took Will and Landon to play miniature golf over Thanksgiving break while daddy, Uncle Kip and Pop played real golf.

Mommy was a little worried how Landon was going to do as he is very wide open. The fear was that he would throw the ball, but he did better than expected. It was not crowded at all, so we never had to wait at a hole, which I'm sure helped Landon a bunch. We got through the 18 hole course in about 30 minutes. Will had a blast and he can't wait to go back!

Future golf stars

Will's a pro!!

Landon had total control!

Skating

Grandmother gave Will and Landon their first skates. Neither of the boys had ever been on skates before. Landon of course had no fear and didn't want anyone to hold onto him. His favorite thing to say right now anytime he is on wheels, whether it be skates, a bike or his scooter is "faster, faster!!". That child has no fear in life which is okay at times, but mommy and daddy just hope we don't have a heart attack before we turn 35. Will on the other hand got real (big boy) skates, which are a little harder to learn to skate in, but overall he did pretty well. He didn't mind for someone to hold on to him.

Landon loves to be on wheels!!

Aunt Myra was a great helper.

Mommy's New Hair Do

Our Little Cowboy

Landon's school took this photo one day, and we loved it so much we just couldn't resist posting it so all our family and friends could see it. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Fun Fair

Landon's school does a fundraiser once a year called the "Fun Fair". It was this past Saturday and they had everything from a fire truck, clowns, face paintings, pony rides, train rides, bouncy houses, lunch, etc.... It really was a great way to raise money for the school and a great way for family's to spend their Saturday.

Landon getting batman painted on his face.

Will had his face painted as spiderman. The boys also got a balloon. Landon got an elephant and Will got a sword. Behind the boys are two bouncy houses, which they spent most of their time.

Will and Landon on a train ride.

Will and Landon in front of the fire truck.

The fire hat was a little small for Landon's head (imagine that) and he was so worried he was going to loose it which is why he has a terrified look on his face.
Mommy and daddy were so proud of Will for riding the pony. Landon didn't want to, which is really odd for him to not want to do something, but Will hopped right on with no fear. I guess if the bouncy house wasn't right next to the pony ride, Landon might have a taken a ride.

Will and Landon's First Trophy

Saturday the boys had their last soccer game for the season. After the game, they both received a Trophy, which they are so proud of. Both the boys also got hot dogs, lemonade, icies, and cupcakes, which is what is on Will's face in the picture below.

It doesn't look like it in this picture, but Will is REALLY excited about his first trophy.

Landon with his first soccer trophy. He is so funny as he goes around everywhere shouting "I'm a winner!!"

UCF Football Game

Chad got tickets for our family to go to a UCF (University of Central Florida) football game. When the boys found out we were going, they were beside themselves. Will went with Chad to a game last year and sat through the entire game, but this was Landon's first time and we really didn't know how he would do or how long he would last sitting in the stands. Landon is not a sitter. Before the game we tailgated with Chad's work which was great to wear out Landon a little. We hoped he would sit still for the game at least until half time. All the pre-game stuff did keep Landon entertained, but as soon as the game started he said he was ready to go home. We managed to make it until about half time and then we left. Will was a little disappointed to leave, but we told him that he could stay up and watch it on TV when we got home, so he was super excited about that.

Landon at his first college football game and Will at his second. The game was on a Sunday night, the day after Halloween and we did arrive a little early, which is why the stadium is a bit empty. It did fill up as the game started. This is UCF's mascot, Knightro the Knight and Pegusus the Horse. Will thought this was so cool to see a knight riding a white horse on the field right before the game started.