A day at Chuck-E-Cheese

When the boys do good things and help out/listen (our hardest thing) they get a star on their star charts. When it is filled we get to do something fun. This time it was Chuck-E-Cheese.

We all went together and had a great time. I even found some tokens that we had from before in our glove box so it ended up not costing us anything...bonus!!! Taft LOVES this snow mobile race, Zea loves to put tokens in the games and playing for a second. We had a great time together and (let's be honest) Brett and I love going there even without the boys, so, we had a great time playing as well.

Playing with presents!

As well as many other wonderfu things, they boys got a tool bench and a boys dress up "treasure chest" with a couple of costumes in it that Grandma & Grandpa Clayton had sent. They had a blast all morning with them as well as their keyboard and electic guitar from "Santa".

Brett also had a BLAST with his remote control helicopter that was actually a bit difficult to control, even for him. Of course, having his break to practice he is much better at it now!

Christmas Eve dinner/Christmas morning

I just love the moment they wake up and are excited but still asleep at the same time. Zea was a little bit confused but got the idea really quickly, where Taft was just a bit groggy but knew exactly what all of this meant. It didn't take long for them to both completely wake up and enjoy themselves. Our families sent us quite a bit this year, so, we had to keep the boys focused on unwrapping when they wanted to just playing with what they just got. We make everyone take turns and watch each other unwrap, so, it could have taken hours. It was funny to see them creeping closer and closer to the tree while Brett and I opened presents and they were waiting. They were really good about it all. It was a great time and fun to watch them. Thanks again for sending us stuff. Our lobster dinner that we thorougly enjoyed! The boys just got he noodle part but with how much they struggle to eat anything that is not highly processed meat or bread I wan't about to waste lobster. They did get the Marinelli's though, which they felt quick special about!

Nativity Night

We group of us that stayed here for Christmas went over to our friends/neighbors, the Griffitts, to do a little re-inactment of the Christmas story the Sunday before Christmas. It was crowded but fun. As you can tell Zea, once again, didn't want to wear his costume (and wasn't getting candy out of it this time), so, it only lasted about 3 munitues. Taft, on the other hand, wore his shepard outfit most of the night.

continue of Christmas Village

More pictures from Christmas Village (see next blog). Notice Zea was OUT in the stroller by this point, candycane still on his face and all!!

The Christmas Village

We went to this place near Redding (about and hour away) called "Christmas Village". It is a large farm that they turned into this village. There were lights EVERYWHERE, Santa, a huge electric train display, food, shops, and a bunch of little sheds turned into different things like: stable for the reindeer, candy shop, elves toy factory, etc. I was happy to see that they also had a nativity display as well in one of the barns. It was fun and didn't cost much at all. It was really, really cold though. I was grateful that Banna had gone before and warned me to dress up in many layers.

The train set was amazing and Taft was in heaven. Zea had already crashed out in his stroller by this point but I think Taft could have stayed there and watched the trains for an hour...if we'd let him. We had a great time and suggest it for anyone who is here next year and wants a fun, quick, Christmas outing.

Temple day

Brett was asked to help out at the temple once a month, so, we went down there with some friends of our for a day during break. It was a nice day and the boys enjoyed the visitor center (as usual). They had a display of Nativities from all over the world. It was pretty amazing to see. We just love the Washington, D.C. temple. It is so beautiful and I am so grateful they always have the church building open next door so we can switch off with friends and go more often. The boys do pretty well with the trip and look forward to walking around before we head home. I must say, though, it will be nice to be closer than 3 hours to a temple again. We got spoiled un Utah.

Taft at preschool

Taft's preschool performed a Christmas song for the parents on day and the end of school, so, I was able to go and get a few pictures of him and his school. They had been good so they all got a treasure from the treasure box and then we heard them sing. I couldn't figure out how to get the song on here but it was really cute and Taft sung it ALL the time for a number of weeks. I liked it. It was called, "Christmas bells are ringing", I think...

Taft's snow day

I decided to let Taft fore go the nap this day and enjoy the LITTLE bit of snow that was on the ground. He had so much fun running back and forth through the leaves and the attempt of a snow ball fight we had together. After he realized that his hands hurt because they were so cold (thanks to the cheap knit gloves he was wearing...smart mom!!) we thought hot chocolate was a GREAT idea. He is such a great fun boy!

Hersey Factory

Christmas break had begun and we decided that we were going to try out the Hershey Factory. Brett and I went to the amusement park part of it for our anniversary but they have the factory part also where you can take tours. It was a freezing cold day, so, I was quite happy that is was indoors. We had a great time and it only took half of the day to do (with the 1 1/2 hour drive included). We ran into the Griffitts there also, which was fun and went on the tour ride twice, which the boys loved; although I am not sure if they like the ride or the free candy on your way out better...toss up!

Oops, i forgot halloween!!

I forgot the halloween costumes. Taft really wanted to be Super "Y" (a new cartoon) but I couldn't get the outfit together in time, so, I was able to talk him into a knight and Zea was a dragon. Zea HATES wearing anything constricting (larger coats included...I guess he got something from his mother), so, the outfit didn't go over very well (lot's of tear involved) until he started to trick-or-treat and realized he would be getting candy out of it. He quickly changed his tune...smart boy! We just stuck around our complex this year and got PLENTY of candy...enough to still have some at Christmas time.