This picture of Ethan seems to be our theme of the holidays - starting with Thanksgiving and going through Christmas, Ethan falling asleep late in the day and sleeping through dinner. It has been a busy season, and I for one am so happy to be starting a fresh, new year!
We kicked off the Christmas season with Jack's preschool holiday party. Well, actually we started the night before with his Christmas Program but I forgot the camera, so we'll just start here.
It was fun to meet all Jack's new friends and watch them enjoy themselves. It was fun having Daddy and Wyatt join us this year. And, of course, Ethan had a blast and made himself known in the classroom. I can't wait for him to start preschool later this month!
Here Jack is decorating the sugar cookie he won't eat! He was a big help to me this year with the holiday baking.
Here is Jack with one of his best friends, Bryce!
Above is my favorite piece from Willow House (which I sell). We hosted a playdate for Ethan's DS friends and this piece was the perfect centerpiece for our goodies. I love how useful it is! I had clementines on top, mini muffins in the middle, and juice boxes at the bottom. And best of all, I could carry it from room to room if I wanted. Later you'll see how I used it for Christmas morning (so versatile!).
One of my favorite things is watching the boys play together. It doesn't always happen but when it does it's priceless. Here the two older boys were trying to get Wyatt into the tunnel for the first time. It took a bit, but he eventually made it through.
I still can't believe that Jack is five! I remember his first Christmas and how much fun it has been celebrating each of the boys firsts. This year Jack wanted to make Daddy a fish finder for when he goes fishing (it's what Jason wanted the most for Christmas). So he made one with an old toy box (flattened) and then wrapped it up himself and put it under the tree.
It's funny how Wyatt is so different from his brothers. He puts everything in his mouth where Jack and Ethan never did (you'd be amazed at what I've pulled out already) and he was fascinated with the tree - we couldn't keep him away from it, or the presents. And yes, I pulled bits of tree from his mouth too!
While Jack doesn't like cookies or many sweets in general, Ethan can't get enough. He's had a steady stream of Christmas Cookies and M&M's! Can you see his frosting covered mouth?
We tried on several occasions to get a photo of the boys by the tree. Here are some of our shots from Christmas Eve before we headed over to spend the evening with our friends from the old neighborhood. It truly wouldn't be Christmas for us if we didn't get to spend Christmas Eve with them! They are our southern family and we love them dearly.
Once we got there it took Jack a bit to warm up, since we hadn't seen them in awhile, but it wasn't long before he was playing with Oskar and Maddy. He's been asking ever since when we can go back and play.
Maddy, being the great mother's helper that she is, instantly took Wyatt and Ethan and spent her time entertaining them and looking after them. I sure miss having her next door. That is definitely the one draw back to our new house and neighborhood.Ethan, like clockwork, fell asleep around 8pm so we made him a bed on the couch, which he fell off after a couple of hours, poor thing. But he was back asleep before too long.
We were happy that our other next door neighbors stopped by for a visit, as well as the ones from across the street and on the next street over. It was nice to see everyone and catch up. We had so much fun that we lost track of time and didn't get home until midnight; too late to read "Twas The Night Before Christmas," like I planned and for Jack to leave cookies for Santa. He was so tired that he asked Daddy to do it for him.
Isn't our little reindeer cute? Granny Annie sent this two years ago for Ethan but he was never the right size for it at the season. This year, Wyatt fit it perfectly and was so cute!
Christmas morning came quickly and the boys had a blast. Except for Ethan, who didn't want anything to do with it until maybe an hour into it. He sat in the other room watching cartoons instead. Of course, come to find out a few days later that both the little boys had ear infections (that explains Wyatt's lack of sleeping in the crib). You would think by now I would know the signs and get better about getting them to the doctor in a timely manner but sadly no....
Even though it took a bit for Ethan to join in, Jack and Wyatt had a blast opening gifts.
Jack gave the puppy dogs their Christmas treats and it allowed us a nice long morning to open the gifts without puppies underfoot - well worth the $10 price tag for each!
Here, again, is my French Wired Tired Stand from Willow House. This time I took off the top tier and used the bottom two for our Christmas Morning sweet rolls and drinks, which we enjoy while opening gifts, before we sit down to have our breakfast. I just love the look and the versatility of this piece, I can't say it enough!
Here the boys are opening up their stockings.
Wyatt finally got to open his gifts and get to those presents under the tree. Of course, by the end of the day Jack was playing with all of Ethan's new toys, Ethan was playing with Wyatt's new toys and Wyatt was happy to get his hands on a bow or two, or whatever toy he could fight his brothers for.
So, beside all the sickness in the house, we also had a minor catastrophe Christmas morning. We had made it through opening up all our gifts, except those from the grandparents, which we were going to open while video chatting. Wyatt was napping, Jack and Daddy were setting up Jack's train set in the office/playroom and Ethan and I were in the keeping room watching TV. All of a sudden I heard a crash. Seems our Christmas tree no longer desired to be standing.
We tried to get it to stand but it kept falling, so at 11:30a Christmas morning, we removed all the ornaments and lights and hauled the tree outside. I was upset that I had lost many of my beautiful glass Seattle ornaments that my sister had given me over the years, but thankful that it happened while we were home but not sitting underneath it (unless we could have saved the ornaments by being there). We mopped up all the water on the floor and tried to salvage the remaining wet presents, all while keeping a positive face. While I can look back now and laugh, at the time I was very upset and it kind of through me for a loop all week. But at least now I have one less thing to take down and put away tomorrow!
Probably the best part about this Christmas was that we had a white one! Who would have thought that in Atlanta, GA we would get a white Christmas? It snowed all day and was absolutely beautiful. It just added to the magic of the day.This is the view from our front porch, looking at the cul-de-sac and up the street.
Here is Ethan, with his theme of falling asleep right before dinner!
Jack and Daddy had a blast putting together his Lego Castle. Yay, more small pieces for Mommy to have to keep away from Wyatt.
Wyatt's first Christmas!
Santa brought the Cornwell's a Wii so we've been upstairs playing every night before bed. It's been a lot of fun.
Jack had fun playing in the snow with Daddy, making a snowman and snow angels.Below is the Lego Advent calendar that Nana and Granddad gave the boys. Jack had the most fun with it. Every morning he would rush downstairs to see what door to open and what item he got to put together. Hopefully we can find another one for next year.
Here are the boys opening up a couple gifts that made their way from Seattle a few days later!
We had a great Christmas and New Year's Eve, celebrating with friends. But now we're looking forward to a brand new year and all that it has in store. I don't know about anyone else, but I couldn't be happier to usher in a new year. 2010 has brought us many good things (Wyatt's birth, Jason coming home) but there has been so much heartache too. Here is wishing 2011 is much better for all of us!
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