Charlie Brown ICE

While we were visiting my family, I went to Opryland's Charlie Brown Ice with my mom, sister, her 2 children, and my boys. This year's theme was "A Charlie Brown Christmas." To say it was cold would be an understatement. It was only 16 degrees and we were all freezing.

They give you really cool blue coats when you come in.

Ethan was all bundled up.

Austin decided he need a closer look and he climbed onto the ice sculpture. Riley was ready to follow right behind him. Someone who worked there quickly told him to get down.

At one point, Ethan was done!

The kids enjoyed going down the slide.

The Nativity scene.

It was a lot of fun and a lot of work with 4 kids. I think we decided that we would all enjoy it more if we went without the kids or wait to the kids get a little older. I think the best part of the trip was being together in the car. The kids had a good time telling jokes and laughing!

Our Family Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas with our families this year. Our Christmas celebrations started early with having Christmas with Tim's family over to our house before we left to go visit my family.

Riley's Great Grandfather gave him this flashlight. Riley said you use it when you go in caves.

Little Ethan is trying so hard to walk.

Tim's family

Cousins

On Sunday morning, the kids came downstairs to see what Santa had brought them. Riley got a rocket

and Ethan got a train. They both love playing with them.

Then we went to Hendersonville to visit my family for a week.

Christmas at Mimi and Poppy's

My sister, Julie

Christmas at Big Daddy and Dee Dee's

We had a great time visiting my familiy. Now that we are back home its good to be back in our own beds and back to our routine.

Having fun in the snow!!

On Friday we got some MEGA snow. We got about 6- 8 inches. This morning we played in the snow while Ethan was taking a nap. Here are some pictures from our day in the snow.

Santa Picture 2009

Today I took Riley and Ethan to the mall to get their picture taken with Santa. On the way there, Riley was beginning to get nervous and he told me he didn't want to sit in his lap. I was prepared that it is could possibly be another screaming picture but to my surprise, Riley and Ethan both did great! Ethan will pretty much go to anyone and Riley wanted to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas (a BIG rocket). He was content sitting in his lap.

Riley's Christmas Program

Tonight we had Riley's Christmas Program at church. He has been practing for weeks and I have been anticipating this since he was born. Every time children would sing on Sunday morning, I would think about the day that Riley would be up there singing. Tonight was finally the night and Tim and I were so proud of him!

Here's a video of him singing.

Here are some family pictures we took after the program.

One happy boy!!

Riley posing for the camera.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas...

The stockings are hung...

The tree is up...

and surprisingly, these 2 little boys aren't messing with it too much

These are my favorite ornaments this year. Riley picked this one out at Khols and we just had to have it since it was a monkey.

We call Ethan a snow bear so I found this ornament for him.

I think he likes it!

We even had some snow last weekend. It was beautiful!

We also have these deer that seem to be sticking around.