Christmas day and Sic 'em Bears!

Happy birthday, Jesus! The birthday cake with my favorite cake decorator. :)

Baby Bear liked his new bath seat for Christmas, and I think he looks so big!

Finally, Baby Bear sporting his Baylor-themed football gear on the day of the Baylor/UCLA Holiday Bowl game. Sic 'em, Bears (and yes, they did!!!).

Countdown to Christmas - Day 24

Today was a day full of activity. We purchased family gifts for people in need, drank peppermint hot chocolate, watched Mickey Mouse's "A Christmas Carol" (bits of it were darker than I remembered), opened two Christmas books to read and Christmas pajamas for the little boys, and made cookies for Santa. The "big" activity of the day, though, was to go to Sea World for their Christmas celebration. It was fantastic. This isn't our first year to go, but I'm still very impressed that the message of Christ's birth - the true meaning of Christmas - is proclaimed at Sea World. It had a closing firework show, and it was a fun way to end our Christmas Eve.

Papa Bear and Toddler Bear at the Sesame Street Christmas show

Toddler Bear had a prime seat on Papa Bear's shoulders for watching the firework show.

And for the last day this year, here's Jingle.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 23

Today's activity: Hear the true message of Christmas and sing carols at church. {A few additional activities were planned but didn't happen due to a toddler meltdown that resulted in an early bedtime.}

Just a few more days of Jingle. I'll kind of miss this little guy.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 22

Today's activity: Look at Christmas lights and celebrate Christmas with Mia.

Look where Jingle popped up!

Countdown to Christmas - Day 21

Today's activity: Papa Bear and I went to a tacky sweater Christmas party, so my tacky sweater made a second appearance. Woohoo! I don't want to waste the goodness. ;)

Jingle likes Toddler Bear's toys. Here is where he showed up today:

Countdown to Christmas - Day 20

Today's activity: Mia arrives!

Jingle was relaxing in one of Toddler Bear's firetruck toys today.

Countdown to Christmas - Day 19

Today's activity: Toddler Bear colored Christmas pictures to give to the neighbors. Coloring the pictures was my idea, giving them to our neighbors was completely his own.

Look at sneaky {nosy} Jingle!

Countdown to Christmas - Day 18

Today's activity: Since it was around 80 degrees today, and we were wearing shorts and flip flops, tonight seemed like a great night to get frozen yogurt for our activity. Unfortunately (and ironically), just like last year, Toddler Bear was bad at dinner and was unable to partake of the yummy yogurt. Is this becoming a tradition?!? I hope not! Papa Bear and I enjoyed ours, though.

Jingle was caught hanging around again:

Countdown to Christmas - Day 17

Today's activity: Have breakfast for dinner. {No picture}

Here's Jingle!

Countdown to Christmas - Day 16

Today's activity: Visit Downtown Disney

Ghirardelli..... mmmmmm!!

Jingle was just hanging around today:

Countdown to Christmas - Day 15

Today's activity: We made more treats for the neighbors and spent time as a family today. During the evening, Papa Bear and I went out to celebrate my birthday. He surprised me with reservations at this new restaurant I've been wanting to try (I didn't realize I'd mentioned it quite a few times... Ha!), and it didn't disappoint us.

Here's Jingle, keeping an eye on us!

Countdown to Christmas - Day 14

Today's activity: We finished making treats for the neighbors and delivered them.

Here is where Jingle perched today:

Countdown to Christmas - Day 13

Today's activity: When I wasn't getting spoiled for my birthday, we started making treats for the neighbors. Toddler Bear was a good helper, and we plan to make more treats tomorrow. Neighbors, watch out! Goodies are coming your way!

Here's Jingle:

Countdown to Christmas - Day 12

Today's activity: Bless others (good to do any day, by the way). Yesterday we purchased a few gifts for needy kids from an "angel tree," and we turned in the gifts to the store for distribution. We also "treated" our mailman with a little note and some homemade sweets.

Jingle found a tasty place to hang out today:

Countdown to Christmas - Day 11

Today's activity: Cookie decorating with friends

We also had a special lunch with Papa Bear and later in the evening the "big people" had a tacky sweater/white elephant Christmas party at our house. Good times!

A cute veggie tray a friend brought.

My tacky sweater. Thanks, Mia! ;) The jingle bell earrings? Those were definitely mine growing up!

Jingle approved of the craft that Papa Bear and Toddler Bear made yesterday.

Four months (a little late)

Baby Brother turned four months(!!!) on Friday. We went to the doctor today, and he received A+++ remarks. He is 15lb 5oz (45%), 25.75in (74%), and he has hit or exceeded all of the things he should be able to do at this milestone (rolled from back to front, front to back, turning his head to the sound of peoples' voices, smiling, laughing, etc.). We haven't successfully gotten a good four month picture yet, but we're working on it. He just doesn't want to be still these days! ;) He is a great eater, great sleeper, and a very easy going baby. We are blessed!

Countdown to Christmas - Day 10

Today's activity: Papa Bear and Toddler Bear made a Christmas craft. {Toddler Bear has been fever-free today.}


Where was Jingle hanging out today?