Amish Farm

My sister-in-law has some friends in Gap, PA 

and they brought us along to visit them.

We had a GREAT time!

 It was nice to be out of the city.

Luke milked a cow for the first time!

He thought it was so cool he asked to have a second turn.

We got to bring some milk home and the boys still talk about the "special milk."

And, yeah, the boys want a puppy now. 

Uh, no.

Sorry.

Visit from the Pittsburgh Cousins

Although Chris had to fly back to Dallas, Becky was able to stay a few days longer. Her daughter, Amelia, her 3 kids and Becky's youngest daughter, Lucy (leaving any day for her mission in Japan!) visited us on their way from NYC back to Pittsburgh.

Popsicles!

(Check out Miles' cheeks! Ha!)

These boys all got matching jammies from Nana B for Christmas.

PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM

Luke really loves little baby girls! Especially Clementine.

Miles sits like this a lot lately 

(It makes my reconstructed knees CRINGE, but it's so cute!)

Bea and Miles were so adorable playing doctor to the dolls.

Henry

Clementine & Amelia

Lucy, Miles & Nana B

New Years Fun

The day after we drove back from GA (New Year's Eve), Grandpa Chris and Nana B arrived for a visit.

We were thrilled to have them come!

Three generations of Matthews Men! 

NEW YEAR'S EVE:

 Chris and Becky treated us to a nice, yummy dinner and we actually PAID for a babysitter!

(This is only the 2nd time we have ever done this. Usually family watches them or we swap w/ friends.)

We came home played cards and watched the ball drop.

A low key, but fun evening.

NEW YEAR'S DAY: 

* We did a little shopping at Williams-Sonoma with my employee discount (LOVE that!)

* Ate lunch out

* Grandpa treated us all to "TANGLED" in 3-D. So fun!

(Luke kept saying, "Mom! That boat is right by me! The stars are right here!" Etc. So funny!)

* More games that night and yummy snacks

More of Christmas

We drove the 15 hours to Georgia!
It was worth it!
My entire family was together!

Decorating sugar cookies the minute we arrived!

The Annual Christmas Eve Program:

My boys doing the dance THEY made up to "Hot Chocolate" from the Polar Express soundtrack.

It was some pretty awesome breakdancing.

My siblings did an AWESOME lip synch rendition of Peter, Paul and Mary's "Born in Bethlehem!"

It was so hilarious! Totally SNL worthy.

Jacob juggled - he is pretty awesome at this!

Luke is still OBSESSED with his "Best Buddy, Michael!"

Wouldn't leave him alone the entire trip!

Christmas morning!

Santa scored HUGE points for bringing the ONLY thing on the list:

Remote control race cars for both boys!

(Mom also liked the cute hats!)

Luke immediately had to try them out on an even bigger terrain: the driveway!

LOVE this look - footed jammies with tennis shoes. Awesome.

We call this a "Tackle Hug!"

"Ah, yeah. This is the life! Man, we LOVE Christmas morning!"

Miles loved Prancer a little more than the kitty loved him . . . 

Lollipops as big as your face!

Late Christmas morning it started to SNOW!!! This was the first time this has happened in Georgia in over 150 years! It was awesome to have a white Christmas!

The boys loved playing in the snow.

We played a lot of cards & board games.

Went to the movies.

Tried out a new Mexican restaurant (we'll stick to the old one).

Lots of laughs.

(Ex: DDDDDave! DDDDon't cha dare!)

The boys also LOVED their tradition of making a Gingerbread man and house with Lola!

This is how they enjoyed it! Ha! NO one encouraged this. Miles just dug his face in! AND - since he got a huge laugh, of course, Luke followed!

(Usually it's the other way around! :) 

We drove over to Birmingham to visit Mary & Aaron!

We are so excited to meet their new little baby - due next month!

My awesome sister giving me lessons on my new camera. 

This just makes me laugh.

Playing nicely with new toys.

Pouting when the playing turns not-so-nice.

It was a great trip and so fun to be with my family and visit with great friends too!