Christmas 2013

We travelled over the Smoky Mountains and through the woods to get to Grandma and Grandpa's house for Christmas. Breaking up the trip at Aunt Annie and Uncle Shane's house in Knoxville was a new highlight this year. There is something special about traveling for Christmas. The kids' anticipation seemed to grow with every mile driven. 

As in past years, we spent Christmas Eve with Linda and her family and Christmas Day with the Seatons. Here are some of the highlights from our trip. Regrettably, there were lots of moments I missed, especially at Linda's house. 

Grandma and Jack preparing desserts

This is Great Grandpa Sharp's childhood pony saddle that Grandpa Seaton rigged so the boys could use it. 

There were a few snowflakes, so Jack went outside to try to catch some on his tongue. 

We were reunited with Winston for a day. We miss that guy a lot, but he has a very good life with Linda. 

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. 

Uncle Eric

Luke was sort of a booger about opening presents. I don't think he liked everyone's attention on him. When this book, the one he asked Santa for, was revealed, he climbed up on my lap and we read it right away. 

Jack unwrapping the marble set he asked Santa for. 

Luke taking a donut break.

Grandpa enjoying his new West Point book from Annie.

Grandpa, John, and Jack went for a bike ride before dinner. 

Paleontologists, John and Jack, excavating t-rex bones. Jack was really excited about this present from Linda. 

Grandma's beautiful table...

with her new carolers. 

The only Seaton missing was Eric's fiance, Betsy. 

Christmas 2013

Jack Riding "Skinnies"

Jack's Christmas Program and Class Party

We enjoyed Jack's first Christmas program this evening. He was very excited to show us what he has been practicing at school. 

Not a Silent Night

John 3:16 Recitation with Sign Language

O Come Little Children

Wasn't That a Mighty Day!

Chubby Little Snowman Recitation

Go Tell it on the Mountain

We Wish You a Merry Christmas

It's been a full day because this morning we went to Jack's preschool Christmas party. The room moms did a wonderful job making the day enjoyable for the kids. They decorated gingerbread houses, ate fun foods, visited Mrs. Claus, and exchanged books. It's fun to get to spend a little time in Jack's classroom and see how he interacts with everyone. It's apparent that he is a happy guy at school.

Santa Visit #2, 2013 Ornaments, and Reindeer Cam

On Sunday night, we went to the botanical gardens and had hot cocoa with Santa. Then we got on the Polar Express (tram) and saw all the lights throughout the gardens. This is our second big lights show. We saw one out on Virginia Beach's boardwalk a couple of weeks ago. 

(Jack's class is called the yellow ducks, so when he saw this particular display, he asked John to photograph it so he could send it to Mrs. Walters.)

Luke's ornaments this year are Santa making this rocket because he spent much of 2013 counting down and blasting off rockets. 

And Mickey Mouse's clubhouse because we have watched a whole lot of Mickey in 2013. Had I known, I would have bought Dusty Crophopper as Luke's ornament this year because the kid absolutely loves Dusty. I'm pretty certain Grandma picked that one up for him though. Thank goodness for grandmas! 

Jack's interest in maps was my focus of his ornaments this year. So, here is Santa checking the map. 

And just a neat little globe ornament. 

For Jack's teacher this year, we had this Nice List ornament made. The names are all of the kids in Jack's class. I got one for Jack too, so he can always remember preschool with his beloved Mrs. Walters. 

Megan told me about reindeercam.com this morning. We spent a good part of the afternoon watching reindeer and Santa on the computer.

I've spent a good bit of time this holiday season reminding Jack and Luke of the importance of family and friends. We have taken extra time picking out thoughtful gifts, even making some ourselves. I was completely overwhelmed with excitement when Charissa and her kids brought our gifts over this afternoon. Charissa and Mike made us the most beautiful Christmas tree to put in our yard and picked out a book and rocket for the boys and some Virginia beer for John. I feel fortunate that while I am teaching the kids about thoughtfulness within our home, our friends and family are reinforcing the lessons with their kindness this holiday season.

A Chubby Little Snowman

I love these little rhymes that Jack learns at preschool.

Letters to Santa, 2013 Edition

Keeping Time

My cousin, Rich, and his wife, Dacia, invited us out for a day on their boat, Keeping Time, last Sunday. John was pretty excited to see the Ross, the ship he spent four and a half years of his life on. It was a gorgeous day. We felt lucky to spend it with Rich and Dacia on an adventure that wouldn't be possible without them. 

Santa Visit 2013

We went with the Grahams to see Santa this morning and eat breakfast with the jolly old man. Luke insisted on going first. He hopped right on Santa's lap and told him he wants a race car book for Christmas. When it was Jack's turn, he explained to Santa that he would like a marble track and that it is really important that it have a teeter totter. As we were leaving, Luke had a good, old fashioned temper tantrum which isn't like him. Once he calmed down enough to tell me what was wrong, I understood that he thought he was going to take the race car book home with him right away. He didn't know he was going to have to wait until Christmas morning. Poor baby. We get to see Santa one more time at the Botanical Gardens later this month, so I am sure there will be more pictures. Bear with me; this is my favorite time of the year to be a mom.

Happy Preschool Thanksgiving

Washington D.C.

John planned an overnight trip for our family to DC. We visited the Museum of Natural History where the boys got to see dinosaur bones and the Air and Space Museum. We also saw the White House, the Capitol, and from our hotel room we could see the Washington Monument. Luke was thrilled with the view of all the airplanes flying past our hotel window and spent a lot of time with his window pressed against the glass. The boys had a really good time, travelled better than ever before, and saw important government buildings and monuments. It was a wonderful trip for all of us. 

Sun in their eyes, but it's our boys with the White House so I'm posting anyway. 

The White House

Going to see dinosaur bones at The Museum of Natural History

A boy walked up to this squirrel and all but touched it. The squirrel never moved, but the boy chickened out. The squirrels in DC are friendly.

From our hotel window. Gorgeous view.

Sweet boys sharing a bed.

Haha, Luke could NOT keep his hands off the snack bar. That Kit Kat ended up on our bill twice, and he didn't even get to eat it. Luckily the staff understood the temptation and removed it from our bill. Twice. 

Watching airplanes.

Watching airplanes together

Washington Monument. (Airplane in the background that didn't pass without Luke pointing it out).

The Capitol

Boys with the Capitol in the background.

Family picture in front of the Capitol.