New Years Eve 2015

The days between Christmas & New Years were filled with urgent care visits, pediatrician appointments, antibiotics, & lots of napping! Donna & the boys all ended up with a round of bronchitis & 2 of the boys had double ear infections to boot. Luckly everyone got a z-pack & was on the mend by New Years so we were still able to make our trip to Grandma's house.

We did the typical New Years Eve festivities, just a bit earlier so the boys could get to bed on time & continue to get the rest they needed.

Where did this CHILD come from & where is my baby?!

Garren LOVED sparklers & had no fear at all, 

Caden & Kellan loved them but were a little nervous holding onto them.

The boys love to toast with drinks of any kind & even with food sometimes, so we got them some sparking grape juice to bring in the New Year with. They thought it was pretty special.

Cheers!

News Years Day we exchanged Christmas gifts with Grandma. She spoiled us all as usual.

The boys have become gift opening experts! They got remote control cars, hooded towels, clothes & sticker books from Grandma.

They helped Grandma open her gifts too!

The boys requested an Ikea trip while we were there & really who could resist a trip to Ikea???

Excited to shop!!!

And FINALLY we had a tiny bit of cool weather roll in so we broke in Grandma's new fireplace with a fire & some marshmallow roasting. Grandma did this whole patio pretty much herself, digging out the grass, putting in a drain, leveling the ground, & laying the stones. My brother in law built the fireplace/grill for her & we helped her cut the stones around the edge. Grandma is seriously a rockstar!!!

New fireplace

New patio table

New lounger

Dinner & a fire :)

Swingin'

Grandma & the boys

Grandma & Kellan

First time roasting marshmallows...

Garren

Kellan

Caden

2015 was a pretty awesome year for us & so far we've had a great start to 2016! 

Christmas 2015

Christmas Eve

It was my sister's year to host Christmas Eve. The boys had fevers & coughs though so I wasn't certain we should go. My sister made the call for us to go ahead & come, the kids had all been together just 2 days before so if they were going to share germs, they most likely already had. She also didn't want to not see us for Christmas, so we loaded up & went.

She made a delicious lasagna for dinner along with some of our family's traditional finger foods & treats. The kids & our mom & bonus dad opened gifts. We didn't stay long since the boys were sickish & I wanted to get them in bed at their regular bedtime so Santa had plenty of time to prep.

Garren, Nadia & Kellan group hug

Garren, Nadia, Kellan, Caden & Chandler opening gifts...

Nadia & Chandler

An air hockey table!!!

Some semi-selfie fun...

Garren

Nana

Papa

Aunt Autumn

Kellan (you can see the sickness in his eyes) :(

Caden (the same sickness in his eyes) :(

Chandler

Garren

Nadia

Bella

Christmas Day

Christmas morning the boys woke up at 4:30AM. At first it was just to potty, then one of them asked "has Santa come yet?" We had to distract them a bit at first, their main gifts were too bug to bring in the house but also could not be left outside all night. My mom & bonus dad spent the night with us, so Donna & my dad rolled the 4 wheelers & jeep out of the garage while my mom & I distracted the boys with a couple gifts to unwrap.

Kellan, Garren, Caden opening some books, Nerf guns, Hess trucks, & Avengers.

Then... "Did you hear that?! It sounded like reindeer! Lets go outside & see if they are still here!!!"

Caden & Garren asked Santa for 4-wheelers, Kellan asked for a Jeep

Kellan

Caden

Garren

Papa & Garren

Talking the boys back inside until it was light out was no easy feat. They DID NOT want to get off their new rides!!! With the promise of more presents to open, they finally gave in.

Caden, Kellan & Garren back for more... 

hungry hungry hippos, gone fishin' & some washi tape (G is obsessed with tape!)

Gifts from Nana & Papa included some Minion dishes, 

lots of Miles from Tomorrowland & Avengers stuff

I LOVE this corgi shirt I found for Donna!

Donna's mom & dad arrived about 10AM & gave the boys more gifts to open... It was a very Minion Christmas here as their stocking were also loaded with Minion bath supplies, toothpaste & toothbrushes, notebooks, pencils, tattoos, coloring books & stickers. ALL MINION!!!

And FINALLY the sun was up & they could ride!!!

I cooked just about everything for Christmas Dinner, Donna's mom made & brought pies & my mom made a cake & Waldorf salad. Everything was delicious if I do say so myself! LOL & the grown-ups had a lovely dinner while the boys picked at what they wanted to eat & played. I wasn't forcing or fighting over this meal!

Grandpa & Grandma Tilyou, Papa & Nana, & MomMom

I was certain that the boys would drop off for a nap at some point but they didn't. After our parents all left Donna went in our room to nap, she had worked 2 continuous weeks including early mornings & late nights. Luckily Caden & Garren followed suit & were passed out at 5PM.

Kellan however was on a roll & enjoyed playing with every single new toy by himself for a while. He eventually went to bed at his regular bedtime & I passed out shortly thereafter!

I believe 4.5 is the perfect Christmas age! The boys were very aware & excited at every single stage of the Holiday Season this year. We really really couldn't have had a better or more fun Christmas!