christmas eve {we're ready.}

December has been a great month. 

Miles and Ella have fully embraced the spirit of the Christmas season.

We've made sugar cookies...

Hung the stockings with care...

Decorated every nook...

Partied in ugly christmas sweaters with dear friends...

Made a gingerbread train (from a kit that I bought at a garage sale for $1)...

Which turned out to be quite a difficult little task, so mostly, Britton and I just had fun with it... 

Lots of baking and time spent together in our kitchen climbing on the counter...

Christmas tree lights were on nearly every moment we were home this month...

And the "Mickey Mouse Choo-Choo Express" has circled the tree 953 times...at least!

And now packages are wrapped.

Family get-togethers are in full swing.

Gifts are being exchanged...

And enjoyed...

And climbed upon.

We've snuggled underneath the Christmas tree...

Even tried a Christmas Eve eve campout...

That ended early because Miles simply could not go to sleep (Britton and Deuce had no trouble).  

Miles has counted down every single day of the month on the advent calendar he requested (as seen in Curious George's Christmas movie).

And sheer excitement fills his little mind and heart as he lays in bed tonight.

We will certainly have fun with all the festivities tomorrow morning will bring.  In fact, I'm not sure I'll be able to sleep for anticipation of seeing their little faces light up when they see what we've been fortunate enough to give them.  

But I also want to be mindful of the reason we celebrate...

Merry CHRISTmas to you and yours!  May God's peace, love and mercy fill your hearts this holiday and in the new year to come.  

christmas traditions {11:00 pm Christmas Eve-Eve Wal-Mart trip.}

One Christmas tradition I'm quite determined to stop dead in it's tracks next year is the one where I go to Wal-Mart at 11:00 pm to get a few last minute things on Christmas Eve-Eve.  

I have a grocery list.  An onion, some milk, confectioners sugar, some bananas...and dear Lord, please don't let me forget the diapers.  

It's all in a last ditch effort to not leave the house at all for the next two days.  

11:00 Christmas Eve-Eve Wal-Mart trip, this is the last time I want to partake of you.  

And I'm off!

christmas traditions {ringing the christmas bell.}

I have a little bell that sits on the piano at Christmas time. 

I'll never forget running into the dining room at our house in Pauls Valley because I heard it ringing and knew this was the only possible explanation...

{Miles in 2008.}

Tonight, I heard the bell again...

 {Ella in 2010.}

Have I mentioned the climbing??

making cookies {& the christmas monkey.}

Miles and I have been making lots of sugar cookies.  We made a great big batch of dough and refrigerated it. We just pull some out and make a few cookies for friends (and ourselves) each day.  

My husband is good enough to document my presence at these events when I beg him.  He usually captures my very best expressions...  Ehem.

 

We've made a remarkable discovery during our baking sessions...

Ella is a climbing monkey.

This is where I put her and encourage her to remain...

And this is where she is 10 seconds later...

She has quite a hard little head.  

I have no idea where she gets it.

christmas time is here {a duet.}

Christmas time is here,
Happiness and cheer.

Fun for all that children call,
Their favorite time of the year.

Christmas time is here,
We'll be drawing near.
 

Oh, that we could always see,
Such spirit through the year.

"Christmas Time Is Here"

from 

A Charlie Brown Christmas

{But Miles and Ella were actually playing Santa Claus Is Coming To Town...and Ella was only marginally involved in the playing.  She was mostly trying to climb up and get my Christmas bell off the top of the piano.}

the okc train show {this train thing could last a long time.}

A couple of Saturdays ago, we made a mad dash up to "Okamona City" to surprise Miles with a quick trip to the OKC Train Expo at the state fair grounds.  We didn't really know what to expect other than Miles would get to see some model trains on display.

Though there was plenty to entertain the kids, this train show was geared toward adults.  That's right.  Grown men and women who act just like my little boy when it comes to trains.  There were train "scenes" 30' x 50' ......incredible...... everywhere.  It made me think that it's quite possible this train "phase" Miles has been in for a couple of years may not be a "phase" at all.

The entire Travel & Transportation building at the state fair was full of trains.  And we even found a couple of little corners dedicated to our favorite little engine.  It nearly took his breath away...

He was so into playing with the trains he forgot there were other people there.....Just started to climb up on the table and make himself right at home.

{Peek-A-Boo Mater underwear!}

There were tears when I tried to get him to move on from the Thomas tracks.  

But we quickly came across this vendor and the tears went away...  

{There's a look of "completely overwhelmed" on his face....just like me when I go in Victoria's Secret.  Oh wait, maybe that's another story for another time...  UPDATE:  It should be noted that M's "overwhelmed" is a positive experience amidst the trains he loves so dearly...my "overwhelmed" at VS is more of a panic attack.}

It was great that we found this nook because M's list to Santa was VERY specific as a result of seeing all these little toys.  His list was also over-the-top LONG.  Oooops.

best buds {snack time.}

These two really enjoy hanging out together. 

Especially when chocolate is involved.

And once the chocolate was all cleaned up, this is how I found them with their juice...watching Christmas shows on the Disney channel.  Precious little munchkins.