Ringing in the New Year!!!

I think this is the 1st year that we all (except Luke) managed to stay awake until midnight.
We discovered new games on the Wii, played Battleship, ate good food (lamb, potatoes doused in lamb gravy, and brussel sprouts - Luke couldn't get enough of these), surfed on the computer, and just hung out enjoying each others company.

Very competitive game - it helps if you know how the electronic version works;)

Me with 4 of my boys!

Like Father........

like son!

Just seconds away from New Years!!!!
(and yes, we did remember the extra second:)

Praying that 2009 brings great joy and success!

Just had to tag on this silly pic of the boys dragging out the tree -
Out with the old and in with the new!!!
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Gifts from Grandma and Grandaddy

The boys loved getting a big box from GA, and were even more excited once they opened it and saw wrapped presents galore. Since we were not able to be together during this time, I took a video of them to share with you!!!

We love you!!!

CHRISTMAS!!!

I don't know if you read the post that mentioned a couple of our family's traditions, but here is one more. We always eat a huge breakfast before opening the gifts. This includes english muffins, sauteed mushrooms, sausage, bacon, lamb chops, fried tomatoes, and eggs. DELICIOUS!!!

Finally, the greatly anticipated moment.

Caught in the act.
While brothers were opening presents, Luke discovered the Smarties (for the Americans, these candies are very similar to M&Ms). He was very pleased with himself, but also slightly concerned that we would take them away once we realized what he was eating - we didn't.

3 handsome boys

Luke opening his gift from Nana and Grandad.

Luke's new musical table by Leap Frog.

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas!

Luke on Christmas morning!

I know it is not technically Luke's 1st Christmas, but it is the first one in which he could actively participate.

First look at all the goodies!

Unloading his stocking -
first toothpaste (Thomas the Tank Engine)

What else could be in here?

Wow!!!

Gotta reach way down in there:)

Chocolate gold coins - yum!

This was kind of an impromptu gift opening

(we normally wait until after a HUGE breakfast to open the gifts).
However, we figured a little "baby dope" would help to keep him happy while we cooked:)

Ripping off the wrapping.

Almost done.

Can I watch it now, please?

Christmas Eve!

We have several traditions leading up to the night before Christmas.
Patrick takes each boy individually out for a meal of their choice, followed by a shopping spree to buy gifts for their brothers. The gifts are wrapped by/with me and placed under the tree.
Then on Christmas Eve,
the boys each choose one of these gifts to open.
Cookies and milk are set out for Santa.
The tree is lit!
Excitement fills the air!!!
And now it is time for bed - surprisingly enough, the boys fall asleep quickly.

Christmas Eve gift!

Santa has come and gone:)

THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
by Clement Clarke Moore
or Henry Livingston

'Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse;
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there;
The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads;
And mamma in her 'kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled down for a long winter's nap,
When out on the lawn there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from the bed to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.
The moon on the breast of the new-fallen snow
Gave the lustre of mid-day to objects below,
When, what to my wondering eyes should appear,
But a miniature sleigh, and eight tiny reindeer,
With a little old driver, so lively and quick,
I knew in a moment it must be St. Nick.
More rapid than eagles his coursers they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name;
"Now, Dasher! now, Dancer! now, Prancer and Vixen!
On, Comet! on Cupid! on, Donder and Blitzen!
To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall!
Now dash away! dash away! dash away all!"
As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,
When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky,
So up to the house-top the coursers they flew,
With the sleigh full of toys, and St. Nicholas too.
And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof
The prancing and pawing of each little hoof.
As I drew in my hand, and was turning around,
Down the chimney St. Nicholas came with a bound.
He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot,
And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot;
A bundle of toys he had flung on his back,
And he looked like a peddler just opening his pack.
His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!
His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!
His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow,
And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow;
The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth,
And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath;
He had a broad face and a little round belly,
That shook, when he laughed like a bowlful of jelly.
He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf,
And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself;
A wink of his eye and a twist of his head,
Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread;
He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,
And filled all the stockings; then turned with a jerk,
And laying his finger aside of his nose,
And giving a nod, up the chimney he rose;
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
But I heard him exclaim, ere he drove out of sight,

"Happy Christmas to all, and to all a good-night."

Just for M&M:)

This post was made just for Nana and Grandad (aka Maria & Michael).
We love you and miss you!

More pics to follow soon!

Dollywood at Christmas!!!

Finally, we went to Dollywood during the Christmas festivities!!! The park was beautiful (as always) and the special shows were very enjoyable!!!

Waiting in line for the 4D Polar Express!

Waiting is really not that fun!

Do I have to come back?
(His new FAVORITE expression)

Aidan bringing little brother back to our place in line.

Waiting wears me out!

There's nothing like a good snooze to pass the time!

Off to Santa's Workshop!

Mommy, Daddy, Luke, Santa and Aidan!!!
(Luke didn't think much of Santa's lap:)

And of course, what is Dollywood without a few rides - brrrrrrr!!!

A rocking horse designed using Christmas packages.
Buildings covered in lights.

Reminded me of the way trees look after an ice storm.

Every Spruce wrapped in lights along the walkway!

Merry Christmas to ALL!!!!

Snow days

Twice in the past month, the boys have spent an entire day outdoors in the snow. They have built forts and snowmen, enjoyed snowball fights and sledding. I will admit that they come in once or twice a day for something warm to eat or drink and to allow their clothes to dry a bit in the dryer. The first snowfall, Luke still had a bit of a cold/cough, so I kept him indoors for the most part. However, the second one, he spent several hours just walking around in the "white stuff." His hands and feet were soooooooooo cold by the time I made him (and he was NOT happy) come inside for a good warm soak in the tub.

Luke looking at his 3 big brothers!

Aidan was in charge of the snowman's head:)

3 boys = a perfect snowman

Luke's first sled ride - he was not impressed!

Luke

The next 2 are actually videos of Aidan and Drew "snowboarding" down our back hill.
I was quite impressed by their balance!

Ashville getaway

Near the end of September, Patrick and I took the opportunity to sneak away for a few days ALONE, while M&M stayed with the 4 boys (Thank you:)

I was so excited that we were finally able to visit Ashville, NC. We stayed in a beautiful condo, slept in and then went out for coffee, took our time eating dinner and dessert at 2 unique local restaurants, and toured Biltmore Estates.Biltmore houseIf you ever have a chance to visit Biltmore, be sure to book the Rooftop tour. It was well-worth the few extra dollars.Looking down on the roof to the winter gardens.Look closely at the detail, and you will still be able to see the gold etching.

This cheeky gargoyle really cracked us up:)

Waiting for the Somelier seminar followed by the wine and chocolate seminar! The vineyard is on our to-do list for next time ; so the closest we got to vines and grapes was on the way to tour the winery. (they are fake)

One handsome cowboy!!!Patrick on Rusty and Rachel on Dusty

We love to ride horses, and the last time we had a chance to do this together was on our honeymoon 12 years ago.