So sad Christmas is over!

Luke is seriously in denial that Christmas - and all that the season brings - is over. 

He really is.

It all started when we came home one day to find Jacob had taken down the tree. This made me feel all giddy that I didn't have to do it. However, it caused a total meltdown from Luke. 

"I want the tree to still be UP! I want it to still be Christmas!"

That was Monday of this week. 

Every day since then, he has made some remark about how it should still be Christmas. He even moved my calendar from January back to December (it's an 18 month one) thinking that might turn back time or something. Cute.

Tonight:  In his MOST tragic, dramatic voice ( I have NO idea where he gets that from . . . ) "Moooommm! I REALLY don't want Christmastime to be over!"

So, here's a taste of what we did, what he loved and what he wants to KEEP ON DOING! 

F-U-N!!!

I introduced the boys to a childhood tradition of mine: A Story a Day Till Christmas.

As well as a chocolate advent calendar from Nana B and one from Trader Joe's (because how do you explain to a 2 year old that it's NOT his turn to have the candy one day? :) and this tree one too!

(one of Luke's many fake smiles . . . )

Luke'e preschool program was so cute. They did about 8 different songs!

With his little friend we love, Gigi.

Christmas jammies! Seriously, we LOVE these! (I mean, we are already "pajama people" - but Luke hasn't had footed PJ's in awhile. Thanks, Gpa Chris & Nana B!)

Off to Daddy's Comcast work party (it was the most AMAZING night!)

And here, on the red carpet this evening, we have Miles wearing his grandfather's vintage coat, hat and gloves. (My dad was so proud!) 

Who needs Armani?

Ya gotta love Christmas sweaters . . . 

A little cookie making!

And getting creative - making Ernie "snowboard" in the flour!

Wrapping! Luke and Miles LOVED to "help" with this. Luke also had a hay day spinning around cars he tied to the end of a ball of ribbon. 

Woo hoo!

Letters to Santa. Very serious business.

Packages from relatives they got to open early!

They both got Superhero capes! How cool is that?

A holiday trip to Hershey Land with our Pittsburgh cousins!

And, oh yeah, Santa came aboard our Trolley and had a tree ornament for all the kids and called them by NAME! Luke was in awe!

Needless to say, Luke and Miles were LOVING the season - and we haven't even gotten to Christmas itself yet! Stay tuned . . .

More of Grandma Lizzy's Visit

We were so glad Grandma Lizzy could come visit us for Thanksgiving week.

We went to the Please Touch Museum - an absolute FAVORITE with the boys!

She enjoyed storytime with them too.

She treated us to dinner.

And - they enjoyed round 2 of carousels! 

This time it was one outside downtown.

 This is a famous piece of art outside Jacob's office.

A few months ago, Liz was teaching her art students about it and they asked her where it was and she didn't know. We all hada good laugh when she found out it was right in front of her son's building!

We got and decorated our tree! The soonest we've ever gotten one up! Yeah!

(Luke would NOT take off the football jersey even though he had to put on his pj bottoms. Ah, well. Pick your battles, right?

Then we enjoyed some RIVALS WEEKEND FOOTBALL!

Ohio State vs. Michigan (woo hoo! great victory!)

and our annual marital battle . . .

BYU vs. Univ. of Utah

Sadly, this did not end well for me. Sniff.

(please excuse  jake's semi-scary face. he was a little excited - and that is not really a smile from me. it's a pleasant cringe . . . if there is such a thing.)

Oh well. Next year!

Thanksgiving & the Monster Turkey & Sticky Potatoes

As we watched a little of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

 (a family tradition since I can remember) 

the first snow of the season began to fall! 

Since we've lived in Georgia for the past four years, this was a very pleasant surprise!

The boys decided to go play in the ward "Turkey Bowl" anyway!

Miles was not so sure about the cold and snow once he was actually out in it!

Just like last year, Luke acted like one of the big guys right from the get-go!

 Church sports - the only fights that begin and end with a prayer! Ha!

 The boys were not ready to stop playing in the snow once the game ended. 

Here is the first snowball of MANY to come, I'm sure.

 . . . and a very tiny, tiny snowman!

Luke decided to help me cook.

Have I mentioned his love of marshmallows?

Making the family sweet potatoes for the first time ever.

 Miles enjoyed having daddy (aka - his personal horsey) home for the day.

The hit of our feast? Cornbread stuffing from Williams-Sonoma. Amazing. 

(and I don't usually like stuffing!)

The sweet potatoes tasted super yummy. 

Okay - and the main event. 

Miles comes up to the bird on the platter and starts GROWLING! I have NO idea why (this is not a common noise for him to make). However, apparently Luke understood his meaning, because he very emphatically said to him: 

"IT'S NOT A MONSTER MILES! IT'S A TURKEY!"

Now this was my first-ever turkey, but I don't think my cooking was that scary!

The turkey was not bad, but somehow, SOME way 

our mashed potatoes turned out to be a literal disaster!

Seriously gross.

You've heard of sticky rice. Well, we had sticky potes!

My mother-in-law thinks she added a little too much milk. Neither of us are sure, but we were sure of one thing - NO ONE ate those potatoes.