December kicked off as it always does with wishing a Happy Birthday to Austin!
This handsome boy turned 6(!) this year. Austin's Birthday Stats: Height 3'10" (58%ile) and Weight 40.6 lbs (17%ile). He is growing up so fast! When asked his favorite food, he replied "Everything except tomatoes!" His favorite color is still blue and his favorite shows are anything to do with animals. When he grows up he wants to be a football player and a scuba diver. He likes to play Owner and Jaguar with his brothers. His favorite books are animal books. His favorite restaurant is Baskin Robbins. His best friends are Brooks and Ariston. Austin's favorite cartoon is Wild Kratts and his favorite place to go is the Beach House.
Austin loved Sam's Minecraft party so much he requested a repeat. The week of his birthday we had our first big snowfall, so all the outdoor games were re-imagined to be indoor games like knocking down Creepers and Enderman.
Presents! Austin was so happy to have so many friends there.
Austin is a man who knows what he wants. He requested a Minecraft cake that looks like the one in the game. I think it turned out pretty close!
After Austin's birthday, it was time for the Christmas countdown! Each day, the boys hurry down to check the advent calendar to see what activity we get to do. This day, we wrote and mailed letters to Santa.
Another day it was time to decorate the tree. All the kids are expert tree decorators by now.
Maybe a little too expert...some have taken to ornament juggling.
Pants are usually optional around here.
Dad bought himself an early Christmas present, a big pack of gel pens for the boys to draw on his back with. His favorite!
Another advent favorite is making a big pillow bed and watching Christmas cartoons.
Even our neighbor Brooks joined the fun :)
A few days before winter break, we got over a foot of snow in one day. Snow Day! No School!
The boys were in heaven and played outside with the neighborhood kids for hours.
Little did we know this was just the beginning of Snowmageddon.
Snowy Days and No School meant pajamas all day. Also smoothie mustaches.
My plan: Let's make gingerbread boys for family night!
My reality: Haha Mom look I made the poop emoji!
Sigh. Potty humor never fails.
When life gives you another foot of new snow, you make Snow Cream!
Luckily all the snow days didn't interfere with Sam's performance of the Grinch at school.
Sam and his class did great!
Meanwhile, the snow just kept coming...
...and coming...
...and coming!
We thought we would have to drive up the mountain to go sledding, but it turns out we can sled right across the street if conditions are right!
More countdown shenanigans. Next up, decorate gingerbread houses. We invited some of the neighbors over to help. By the end, we had 5 very sticky boys!
By Christmas Eve, the boys were dying of excitement and I was exhausted. Luckily, I have some cuties who know just how to cheer me up!
One of my favorite things about the boys growing up is watching them help each other. Sam was more than happy to snuggle up with Eli and read him a Christmas book while I was busy in the kitchen.
Finally, it was time for Christmas Eve traditions! First up, ornaments from the grandparents!
After we open ornaments, we have our Nativity Play. May I present, the three ninja wise men.
Finally, it's time for Christmas Pajamas!
Sam was pretty stoked about his football pj's.
Austin showing us his Shark face. Goodnight boys!
Christmas morning!!! (At an obscenely early hour) All the boys waited as patiently as they could at the top of the stairs while we turned on the lights and grabbed the cameras.
Run!!!
You could say they were a little excited about their presents.
Even though it was so early, Sam and Austin quickly got to work on their presents.
Science sets!
Aunt Allison & Uncle Jon spoiled the boys with new scooters. Unfortunately, the roads and sidewalks were still buried in snow. The solution? Gliding around the house of course!
On New Year's Eve, we broke out Aunt Carly & Uncle Eric's gift and played several rounds of Pie Face. The kids loved it!
Happy New Year everyone!!!
