The Joy of Christmas

This Christmas, for the first time since we have been married, we did not travel to the East Coast but decided to have our own Christmas at home with our family. Before the big day arrived, Nate and I sat down and decided what traditions we wanted to bring into our own family Christmas from each of our own families. What we came up with was a nice mixture of both but a little of our own as well... It was hard to be away, especially as we would talk to both of our families and they were all together.. but we had each other and our two awesome boyz - what more could you want????
The magic of Santa - I know it does not last forever but it is easy to get caught up in the magic of it all. The boyz were all about the man in red this year... Connor and I spent the afternoon making peppermint chocolate cookies to set out - don't worry- we made sure that they were peanut free because Santa, like Connor, has a peanut allergy!!

Before our Christmas Eve service at church, we enjoyed some yummy appetizers!

We had a beautiful service at church and my spirits were lifted. As we left the church that night, not only was I again in awe with the Birth of Christ and what that meant for us, but I all of a sudden was reminded that even though we were not with our own families...we were still with family over Christmas...our own church family at FRC - how blessed we truly are!
As soon as we got home the preparations were in full swing. The boyz and I sprinkled reindeer food on the lawn and then prepared the milk and cookies for Santa!

Cooper thought for sure that Santa would prefer SOY milk to regular!

The boyz were able to choose one gift to open that night... they wanted to open the gifts that they got for each other! Connor gave Cooper a Kung Fu Panda toy and Cooper gave Connor more Magnetix! It was a hit with both of them!
Of course Santa came that night for both of them..I mean how could he not??!!! Connor told Santa he wanted a cross and Cooper wanted candy canes in a box....oh if it would only stay this simple!! Nate..uh I mean Santa made a beautiful cross for Connor!

CHRISTMAS MORNING!!!!

Both boyz made us presents at each of their schools! They were awesome!

Then the present marathon began...and three and a half hours later....we had two very happy little boyz!!

Connor and Cooper - thank you for making everyday feel like it is Christmas - you are our favorite gifts!

Let it Snow..Let it Snow..Let it Snow...

I thought the only way to have a white Christmas was to travel home to the East Coast - not this year! The snow has made its way out here to the North West and I have two little boyz who are enjoying every bit of it!

Connor and Cooper spent the entire time taking turns chasing and pushing each other down.... whatever happened to the days of snow angels and snowmen???

Last Wednesday, we woke up to a winter storm (not by East Coast standards - just Northwest). Connor's school was cancelled and the base was closed for the day. Nate brought the family in for a meeting and laid out the game plan for the day.....pajamas, movies, lots of hot chocolate, and playing in the snow! The boyz had the pajama part down......

Nate started a fire (on the TV - even though it didn't quite give off the warmth of a regular fire- the sound was great)!!! Don't worry - Connor didn't burn his fingers on this one!

After a couple of Buzz Light Year episodes it was time to go and play in the snow!

We pulled out our sled (thanks again Shawn and Elaine) and we headed to the hill down the street!

Cooper got out his truck to see how the roads were....he definitely did a lot better than some of the people we saw drive by!

Connor and I ended our family fun filled day making sugar cookies! Cooper had gone to bed with a fever and was sound asleep - too much snow for the little guy! He made sure though, before he went to bed, that I would save him a cookie for breakfast!

Nothing is better than spending a day together as a family... well the smile on this boyz face comes close!!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas!!!

Last weekend, Christmas preparations were in full swing at the Barton household! Nate promised me a Christmas weekend and he came through like a champ! On Saturday, we had a babysitter all day while we played Santa!! I LOVE CHRISTMAS SHOPPING!!! Nate was a trooper and lasted until about 3 that afternoon! What a guy!!!
After church on Sunday, we loaded up the kids and it was off to get our Christmas trees! That's right trees - Nate finally agreed to two trees! I was finally going to get a family one and a decorative one! What did I tell you - what a guy!!!

Eating a quick lunch before the tree hunt!

We ventured to a local tree farm on the island and set off for the perfect Christmas Tree! As soon as we got our saw, Connor took off saying he knew where our tree was and he was persistent (I wonder who he gets that from???). Well what do you know....he lead us to the perfect tree - he later told us he saw it out his window as we drove in! About thirty feet away we found our other tree - MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!

Our handy man took the saw and started chopping away.... Watch out for that tree Daddy!!

Nate was more successful at the second tree! Connor was quick to give his dad credit as he said, "Good job Daddy! The tree didn't fall on you this time!!"

As soon as they were cut it was off to the car....

Later that night, with Christmas music in the background, we decorated our family tree downstairs! They had gotten a hold of the tree upstairs with the decorations and decorated it Connor and Cooper style - all decorations on the bottom branches!

Cooper was all about decorating the tree downstairs too -the bottom part!

Connor found the tree for his room and was more interested in decorating that one....

It is so much fun to pull out the ornaments and be reminded of what point in your life that they came from! One of my favorite ornaments is from my favorite first grade teacher - yes that was a long time ago! Connor found his ornament that we had painted his hands on when he was seven months old - how fast they grow!

What better way to end the night after decorating our tree - but with hot chocolate and chocolate chip pumpkin cookies - YUM YUM!!! Thanks boyz for the beautiful tree downstairs!

Now all that is left to do is wait for our favorite guy in red.......

HERE'S THE LATEST ON THE BOYZ.....

Well I honestly thought it would never happen... I thought that Coop would continue to think that diapers were cool and it would carry over into his school years, but over night everything changed and he all of a sudden wanted to start using the bathroom...it's official....Coop is in underwear!! Way to go Coop!!! (This is one happy mom who will now be saving 60.00 a month on diapers... oh what to spend that on!)

In late November, Nate's Aunt from PA came to visit us while she was on a business trip in Portland. In the one day that she spent with us, we tried our best to show her our home away from home and to get that "Northwest" feel! After showing her the squadron and the prowlers we were off on a hike to enjoy the beautiful day and scenery! Thanks Aunt Robin for making the trip to see us - we loved sharing our world with you!!

Nate, Aunt Robin, and the boyz

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving together and I was thankful that we were together as a family. Although it is hard to be away from your family we were able to share it with our military family here! Some of Nate's friends from the squadron came over and we enjoyed a great evening together...lots of food and laughter - it doesn't get better than that!

The next day we packed up the car and headed to Leavenworth for the weekend. Nate's flight doc's aunt owns a cabin right on the river and invited us for the weekend! Cooter, Erin, and Puffy joined in on the fun and we had a relaxing weekend...board games, puzzles, and movies!

Saturday morning we hit the trails and went hiking...

The night before we left though, Connor accidentally touched the wood stove and burnt three of his fingers... of course the thumb he sucks was burnt as well so it took him a little bit longer to calm down! I don't know who was more traumatized by it all...me or Connor (probably Connor)! The next day he was feeling better and has been obsessed ever since with the bubbles on his fingers!!!

The boyz continue to amaze us each day with how big they are getting. They make us laugh with their comments and the stories they tell, and they warm our hearts with their laughter and the way they play together! One of their favorite things to do each night is to dance on our bed to "Shake, Shake" - I have no idea how they fall asleep after this- but they do!!

What can I say... it is non-stop with these boyz!! We wouldn't have it any other way!!