Finally A Legitimate Family!

On December 17th, a long wait finally came to an end for Donna & our little family. 

We finally had our court date for Donna to adopt (step-parent adopt) the boys. It was a quick & painless process for us once the law finally recognized our marriage. The cost were more than cut in half & the time was basically just what it took to draw up the paperwork & get a court date.

The judge didn't even let our attorney finish her review of the legalities before he said "I've already signed the judgement, lets just put down on paper what is already a reality for these handsome boys."

I think we were in his chambers for 5 minutes, if that!

It's a great great feeling knowing that our family, all of us, are now recognized & protected!!!

December...

I am so far behind!!!
So here is a quick recap of the boys Christmas activities throughout December...

Santa came to Lowes' Build & Grow workshop!

The boys gave hugs, got candy & build a wooden Choo Choo Train.

They love these workshops & are really getting the hang of building themselves with just a little instruction from us :)

Kellan (in swim goggles) Garren (wearing paper reindeer antlers) Caden & MomMom

Our town had a Holiday Festival complete with parade (that we missed) so we took the boys to have some fun. There were arts & crafts & of course food but the only thing that REALLY mattered was the Bounce House Fun Zone! The boys ran into some friends & bounced to their little hearts content!

Our neighborhood had a Christmas party complete with train rides! The boys & their friends & even some of the parents rode a couple times. The line was long! We checked out the party in the clubhouse but it was pretty crowded so we took the party, along with some friends back to our house.

MomMom & the boys

The boys & friends

I don't think the last 2 weeks of school before Christmas break consisted of anything but Christmas projects, food, caroling, candy & parties! In fact, I know it didn't because the boys didn't even have homework those 2 weeks, lol...

They built Gingerbread houses

Kellan's house (above) was the only one in the whole class that stayed standing,

apparently there was a tornado that blew thru & took out the rest ;)

There was a lot of Santa hat wearing...

& even a pajama day before Christmas break.

We went to Zoo Lights...

Darren started the evening a little rowdy & had a run in with the pavement,

he used his injury to woo girls the rest of the night.

It worked like a charm!

Kellan, Caden, Canan, Eric & Garren enjoying some glow in the dark cotton candy

Chillin'

Airboat... I mean sleigh ride.

We baked cookies!

We crashed my sisters cookie baking day but she enjoyed the extra help!

Chandler

Caden

Kellan

Garren

Nadia

All the cookie baker/decorators 

And that is a glimpse of our Pre-Christmas activities.

The Gift Of Sight Quilt

Last year, my bonus mom & I attended The Gift of Sight Donor Quilt Dedication Ceremony. We contributed a piece in my dads memory, as the only organ he was able to donate due to having cancer was his corneas. 

This year we were invited back again to see the unveiling of the new quilt.  The day of though, I was sick & unable to make it but my bonus mom went & sent pictures when she was done...

I think the quilt turned out beautiful & I thought the colors couldn't have been more perfect, purple is my bonus mom's favorite color :)

The Christmas Express

Back at the beginning of December, my sister found a Christmas village with an authentic narrow rail steam engine. A real live choo choo train!!! When my sister told me about it she said it was near Gainesville. I guess I just assumed between us & Gainesville, about an hour or a little more away. Well I was wrong & that is what I get for assuming she wouldn't have us drive nearly to Alabama for Christmas lights! LOL Well 2.5 hours later we finally pulled into The Christmas Express at Kirby Farms... we drove through Gainesville to get there but it was clearing on the opposite side of Gainesville than we live & I felt like we should have booked a hotel we drove SO far!

The kids absolutely loved the place, the train ride was awesome, the lights were great, it was even chilly that evening so hot chocolate was a must with our cups of ice cream.

The blurry family selfie

The sister, niece & nephew

The brother in law, sister, niece & nephew

MomMom & Garren

Fun lights... I will have to see if I can figure out how to attach a video from my phone

The train

Caden & his dark chocolate peppermint ice cream

All the boys riding the swings

Darren riding a flying saucer looking ride

Kellan also riding the flying saucer ride

Caden, Grandma, Garren, MomMom & Kellan riding the carousel 

Tricycles with Jumbo tires in a corn maze...

There was also a monster truck school bus that we all rode but I apparently failed to get a picture of.

The kids didn't want to leave but we had a 2.5 hour ride home so it had to happen sooner rather than later. It was a super fun night but The Christmas Express will not become a family tradition we travel all the way to Alabama for, lol... Just kidding, it really was still in FL but pretty close to the Mississippi line I think ;)