Pre - Christmas

This has been a fun yet hard Christmas for us.  We weren't able to make it back west to be with family this year, that was hard.  We were able to start a few new fun traditions here at home, that was fun.

We had an Elf come to be with our family this year.  He started out with the name Noeo and then it was changed to Nickeo.  The name Nickeo seemed to stick better.  He wasn't a naughty elf... just mischievous.  James LOVED to find him every morning and is still asks to find him...even though he hasn't been around for almost a week.  He hung from the lights, sat in the boys seats, tried to drink James sippy cup, slid down the banister, slept under the couch, played with the toys and even tried to hide in the fridge.

We read a Christmas story under the Christmas tree each night until Christmas.  They were all wrapped up so it was fun to let James open a present each night.  

James didn't understand Santa too much this year.  Its fine with me.  He sat on Santas lap once and asked for a Tool Box.  He asked Nickeo to tell Santa he wanted a tool box.  He got excited Christmas Eve night to see Santa and told us that he couldn't go to bed because he was waiting for Santa.  I think Rocky and I talked about Santa more than James.

We had big plans to go to the zoo lights but the weather turned on us and we had to postpone.

Rocky worked on Christmas this year so we celebrated on Christmas Eve.  I think I was the MOST excited for Christmas this year.  Because of Rocky's schedule and his less then enthusiastic desire to shop, I got to do all the Christmas shopping and wrapping.  I was so excited to see Rocky and the boys open their gifts.  

This is the boy's Christmas tree.  It was ornamentized a different way everyday.  It even survived a fall.

Our Elf, Nickeo, we LOVED him.   

Logan's cute hand trying to get the ornaments off the BIG tree.

 Making cookies for Santa

 Opening Christmas jammies

Checking out the jammies in the fireplace mirror.  James said "WHOA, look at that super hero bum."

Logan tasting his Christmas ornament.  I'm not sure he approves.

Rocky and James ornaments, a Dr. bag and Ironman (of course) * (Ironman broke in all places possible, he has now been superglued back together and is stronger than ever)

 Cookies and milk for Santa

 James waiting for Santa to come.  It took some convincing to get him to go to bed.  He was determined to wait.  

 Santa came and this is how he left our stockings.  

Our Christmas Eve activities including making cookies for Santa (which turned out gross because I doubled the butter...oops), a fancy Christmas dinner by candlelight, and acting out the nativity with our hand puppets.