Hollis' Actual Birthday!

 LOVES this ride!!!!

 Not too sure...

I have made it a tradition to serenade my boys on their actual birthday as soon as they wake in the morning.  So I couldn't wait for Hollis to wake up so we could sing to him!!!  We also always get birthday doughnuts.  I asked Hollis if he wanted to go get his birthday doughnut and he responded with a big "Yeah!"  After doughnuts we went to the mall, the whole family, so that Hollis could pick out a Build A Bear.  He chose a white bear with hearts and paws on it in red, yellow, and blue!  He loved stuffing it, but wanted to keep the heart instead of stuffing it inside.  Clayton helped us pick out the name "Giggly" since we put a laughing button inside of Hollis' bear.  After making his bear we went and played on the mall playground, and then had lunch at Chik Fil A.  We then took them home for a little nap.  After naps, it was on to Chuch E Cheese!  The boys loved playing, Hollis' favorite ride is the little Ferris wheel they have.  He rode it 8 times!!!!  He did not, however, love Chuck E Cheese ;)  We had a great time!  I love making my boys' birthdays special, and hope that these memories are lasting and that they always feel extra special on their special day!!!

The Polar Express

We did the Polar Express last year and loved it!  I was excited for Hollis to do it this year because he was so little last year, I'm not sure he really enjoyed it.  We headed up and met our best friends the Stucki's, Pop Pop and Lisa, and of course Gi Gi came with us.  When we got there, we boarded the train.  The boys were so excited for the ride.  Clayton was excited about the mini marshmallows Aunt Heil snuck on the train ;)  We had a ball.  The boys loved looking out the windows and waving and looking at lights.  The best part, Santa came aboard once we got to the North Pole!  Clayton was in awe!  He loves Santa, Hollis...not so much :)  It was a great trip.  Afterwards we went inside the West Baden Hotel to look at all of the beautiful decorations and lights.  Great memories :)

Christmas!!!!!

Christmas just gets more and more fun every year!!!!  The boys were so excited this year.  Clayton was ripping through one present after another.  Hollis could barely get past his ball pit.  I don't think he even cared about anything else.  Santa left Clayton 3 huge tracks and Hollis got a ball pit which he loves!!!!!  The boys were super spoiled of course :) 
After our Christmas, Gi Gi, Pop Pop, Lisa, and Uncle Brian came over for breakfast and to open more gifts.  It was a great morning!  We enjoyed the rest of the day in our pajamas playing!

Christmas At Our House

We hosted Christmas for my side here this year.  Everyone brought appetizers to share, we played dirty santa, the kids had a ball playing in the toy room, the guys played poker, and the women played board games.  It was a blast as usual.  I love spending time with my family!  We don't get together often enough!!!  Bonus, my grandma was able to come, she is in a nursing facility now and I am so thankful she was able to still come!!! 

Christmas Eve

I love traditions!!!  There are several that we have started over the years.  We always get the boys an ornament that has to do with what they are into that year.  This year Hollis got a Dora ornament, and Clayton got a Spiderman ornament to hang on the tree.  I put the dates on the bottom and want to give the boys their box of ornaments when they get married :)  We have also given them a Christmas movie and Christmas pajamas on Christmas Eve night.  This year, my mom came over and we popped popcorn, made Grinch punch (green sherbet and sprite), and watched Arthur Christmas!  Afterwards we set out our milk and cookies for Santa (we get the same picture every year), and put some reindeer food in the yard for the reindeer!  Then we read our elf Clipper's good bye letter.  He told us he would be back next year and when Santa came to get him, he would leave presents under the tree!