A Merry Little Christmas...

It would be nice if these were all in order, but alas, that makes my brain hurt too much.  So, here are a bunch of shots from our adventures in December 2012!

Here we are at Grandma and Grandpa West's house opening presents.  Jonny got this hat/beard combo (which he loves) from his brother...Deakin and Dill love it too!  My mom drew a picture of Deakin, which turned out so beautiful.  Thanks Mom!

What Christmas is complete without weapons!?  Seriously, bringing your A game with boys is pretty simple; just bring weapons, whoopee cushions, a little toilet humor, bandanna's, rope, candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup and you're set for a good time.

Dillon and I enjoying our time while Deaky naps.  We decorated our windows with snowflakes.

This is what you get when you ask Deakin to "please just smile for the picture:"

Still trying...

The Rough-and-Tumble Crew on Christmas eve morning.  We made Santa-Cakes.  The boys loved it!  And, I felt like a million-dollar Mama too!

Jonny and the crew eating! I have the most handsome house-full of boys.

Christmas Eve.  We had our traditional Bethlehem Supper followed by opening one present:

Matching Jammies!

Deakin and Daddy checking to see if the candle had gone out...telling us if it is time for bed yet.  It is so magical how that goes out, just as I am about out of energy for the evening.  We should implement the candle option on a daily basis, except for the whole boy-thing (ropes, weapons, everything mentioned above) might not see our house standing after a few nights.

Another request for smiles... I love this because you can tell that Dillon is prompting Deakin on how to smile, "Just do it like this Deakin, so she'll put the camera down!"

The boys writing letters to Santa, making cookies, and getting the carrots out for the reindeer!  This year was lots of fun because Dillon could write his own letter!

Writing to Santa: 

Christmas At Last!!!!!

As the rude parents that we are, we made the boys wait in our bedroom until everyone/thing was assembled including cameras etc.  This is a picture of the boys day dreaming about what awaited them under the tree!

Presents!!!  Dillon got some Lego's and a Wii, which has been the bain of my existence.  But, he is in love, so oh well.

Deaky got a little remote control tractor and the Wii as well.  Deakin could not focus on any other gift, he was so excited about the tractor!  I love this age: everything is so fun!  They are so selfless...and content.  Not worried at all about the rest of the presents, perfectly content with the one toy.

We are lucky to have Grandma and Grandpa Case so close, they were able to come over and share the joy watching the kids light up Christmas morning.  Christmas is never so exciting as when you have your own children...no Christmas past can compare to the excitement you feel as a parent getting ready and watching your children wrapped up in such enthusiasm and pure joy!  Nothing like it!

Deakin, loving him some tractors!

And, of course, Mila got her stocking filled as well.  She got a silly little outfit, picture below, which fit her for approximately 2 hours, then we gave it to Zoe (G & G West's little dogie).

I love this picture: both boys so excited, helping each other open presents!

Big dogs just look silly in shirts...But Santa told me it was only a dollar, so it was fun for a day.

Here is our pretty little Mila, with her chubby baby tummy sleeping in her shirt and with her new toys.  By the way, she acted completely psychotic for the first 30 minutes in the shirt.  Being the cruel owners we are, we left it on her because it was so funny watching her try to reach back and bite it off!  This is how she ended up: exhausted and still in her "gift."

Bath Time

Such handsome little boys.

This picture is a little funny for me to write about: You see Dillon is smiling such a cute grin.  But, after going and seeing himself in the bathroom mirror, he came out crying stating emphatically, "I can't go to school like this, everyone will make fun of me.  I look like an idiot!"  Then the morning turned a very sour shade, and he ended up staying home from school...all staring with a less-than-desirable hairdo.  WTH!  I have boys.  We are not supposed to be having these battles. You will also note the elevated shirt...I have no idea what that was about.  I think that nudity also goes along with the mantra for boys.

Our beautiful little dog.  This picture was a while ago, and she is more than double that size now, and going to double again in size before she is done.  I am glad Cass and Ty sold me on a big dog.  I don't have to worry about the boys hurting her.

I snuck around the corner and found my boys cuddled up together watching a movie.  I think that maybe only a mother can appreciate this in its entirety:  There truly is beauty all around...

Are you a Spooner?

Because Mila is:

She sleeps with her little bear every night.  She doesn't take advantage of it like our little friend Zoe does (settle down Ma, it's just a joke), but she sure is cute all cuddled up with her bear. As soon as she is fully potty trained, she will sleep in the boys room at night, but for now she is stuck with her stuffed friend.