Merry Christmas

Christmas this year was a blast! Mason was very excited and Maddon was actually able (and willing) to open his own presents! After visiting Nana on Christmas Eve, the boys and I went to mass before we got everything ready for Santa's arrival. I'm not sure it was ever easier to get Mason to go to bed! They were both very happy to wake up to the glittery snowflake trail that Santa left which led to their presents. They wasted no time opening them and spent the rest of the morning playing. Later in the day we were joined by the Zdenek side of the family for dinner and more presents. By the end of the day the boys were on overload and didn't know what to play with next!

Some of what Santa left for the boys

 Snuggling with the blanket that Mommy made him

 He wasted no time opening the Legos

 Maddon and most of his Santa gifts (he just wanted to play with Mickey)

 Mason and most of his Santa gifts

 Opening their Nabi Big Tab from Grandma and Papa

Family Snow Day

This year was an extra special family snow day because Daddy came too! Our whole family was there to celebrate with Mason and his class. The kids did a great job singing for us and had snacks and crafts to do. It was a lot of fun for everyone. Maddon even cried when we had to leave!

The class before their performance

Show time!

Puppet show

Making his snowman jar

Making beaded snowflakes

"Snow" in the sensory table

Holiday Photos

Here are a few of this year's family photos. Maddon still isn't too sure about smiling for pictures, but did manage to give us a couple when we let him sit by his brother. Those two are too funny together!

Happy St. Nicholas Day

This year Mason was excited to help Maddon put his shoes out for St. Nicholas. The boys enjoyed running down to see what they got and opening their gifts together!

South Bend Cubs

We went to the stadium of the South Bend Cubs to check out their holiday festivities last weekend. Grandma Connie and Papa Randy met us there to visit and have lunch before we headed home. The boys had a lot of fun and were glad to see their grandparents again!

Meeting Stu

Making a paper plate snowman

Maddon says "no pictures!"

Future Cub?

Stu and Swoop

Indiana Thanksgiving

Since I was on call Thanksgiving this year, Devin and the boys went to Indiana to spend the holiday with his parents. The boys had a blast at Grandma Connie and Papa Randy's house. They loved getting to see them and play with all of daddy's old toys. Mason has been asking to go back ever since he got home!

At lunch

Here come the toys...

Mason found the pickle!

These boys love Cracker Barrel

Mickey hands!

Playing with Papa Randy

Jammer time!

Santa

In keeping with tradition, we made our annual trip to see Santa and have lunch at Rainforest Cafe this past weekend. We've been doing this ever since Mason's first Christmas! We didn't get a smile out of Maddon (no surprise), but he didn't scream or cry either!!

School Pictures

This year Mason's school used a new photographer. I'm not a fan of the use of props, but oh well! Here is his official pic!

Halloween

This year Mason wanted to be Darth Vader for Halloween so the boys decided that Maddon just HAD to be Yoda. I wasn't too thrilled with this, but I must admit that he made a cute little Yoda! He had fun trick or treating and seemed to get the hang of it. After a few houses he was saying bye bye to everyone. The weather was kinda crummy so luckily both boys had fairly warm costumes. They both got plenty of loot before heading back to grams for dinner.

Traditional photo with Frank

Daddy and Yoda

Our boys (Maddon had no desire to sit still)

The boys worked together to carve pumpkins. We weren't too sure how much Maddon would enjoy scooping out the guts, but he seemed ok with it as long as we let him eat them! Mason, on the other hand, was less intrigued than last year!

Tasting the guts

Our finished product!