Griffin Loves his Christmas Presents

Griffin's favorite Christmas presents have to be his train set and all of his Mr. Potato head pieces.  He particularly loves to find Mr. P's glasses and try them on. :)

Christmas 2011

Christmas morning when we woke up AJ the first thing out of mouth was, "We get to add baby Jesus!"  He was thrilled to be able to do the last day of our advent calendar and add the most important piece.  Then he realized that Santa had also come and he was excited for his gifts!  It was a great Christmas!  The kids are at a wonderful age to enjoy the magic of it all!

Could this be my remote control car?

I watched AJ and now I am a pro at opening presents!

Look monster trucks!

Mom, we got you a waffle maker do you love it?

AJ's toys

Toys to share

Griffin's toys

Griffin's surprises from Santa

AJ's surprises from Santa

Whip Cream!

For Christmas morning breakfast, I used my new waffle maker and made waffles with fresh strawberries and whip cream.  The first time I used the whip cream and spayed it out...Griffin's eyes were as big as saucers!  He thought that was amazing!  My Mom and Dad and Kurt and I were all witnesses.  It made Christmas morning even better! We quickly grabbed the camera and tried to recapture the moment.  Our boy loves whip cream!

Family Christmas Party

And I want...

I'll just take the candy.

Family Christmas Pic 2011

The Cousins!

We had my extended families annual Christmas Eve Party that is no longer held on Christmas Eve. :)  Fun time was had by all!  Griffin didn't even cry with Santa!  Love getting together with the fam!  Lance and Teresa had our family this year and they HOOKED US UP with supplies for our camping outings! THANK YOU!

Using Ideas From Pinterest

I have LOVED finding ideas on Pinterest!  I find it very relaxing to find and pin ideas.  I have MANY more pins than I have used, but I have used SEVERAL pins!  Turkey favors, Drum Sticks, Napkin Ring holders, pigs in a blanket wreath, Christmas tags and more!  I use to peruse blogs, now I just peruse Pinterest! :)

Shoveling With Dad

When we're helping we're happy!

What does your hammer say?

We had the kids with us in Costco the other day and we were enjoying the samples throughout the store.  One sample station was handing out little smokies on a toothpick.  AJ looked at it and said, "Oh how cute."  Then he started to say LOUDLY, "Dam, dam, dam dam!"  I listened a few times and then smiled and said, "AJ a hammer says, Bam, bam bam with a buh sound."  Even louder he continued, "Dam, Dam dam dam!"  It was hard not to laugh, but I again told him it was Bam with a BUH sound at the beginning and I had him look at my lips to see how I was making the sound.  AJ said, "Bam, Dam, Bam, Bam."  Kurt and I told him to eat his hammer. :)

And Santa said...

Santa came to visit AJ's preschool class, everyone had a great time.  After the visit Santa came upstairs and had a special one on one chat with AJ about using the potty.  AJ promised Santa he would try to go potty on the toilet BEFORE Christmas.  Let's see if this works! :)

December 22

AJ has gone potty on the toilet!!!!  Kurt sat him down on the toilet today and told him he wasn't getting up until he had something to show for it.  AJ did it!  Yeah!

***Update*** That was basically it!  He went from not even wanting to sit on the potty to being potty trained including pooping in the toilet in a week!  He had a few accidents the first few days, but has not had one accident at night.  WAY TO GO AJ!!!!  We are down to one in diapers! YIPPEE!

Santa Comes in a F-16



Look there is a plane coming!



I see Santa!

Ho Ho Ho!

Waiting for our turn.

I'm waiting for my turn too!

Oh, the anticipation!

Thank you Santa!

Who is this guy?

I want my Daddy!

I have seen Santa in many different venues, but I have to say this was a first...Santa coming in on a F-16!  Kurt's unit at Hill had a in with Santa and invited him to the base.  We brought the kids out and enjoyed the festivities.  AJ ran up to Santa and said, "Santa, Santa I want Roary!"  He then gave him a big hug and ran back towards Daddy.  Griff wasn't in a real festive mood, he would rather be with Mom and Dad then sit on Santa's lap. Both boys received a play-doh set and they have used them over and over again!  Great family time!  Thanks Kurt for making it possible!