Christmas is Finally Here

Santa was good to Byron this year. He received a video game, a pitchers practice net, and a batter's helmet. As you can see the video game was the big winner.

He also got a bag to hold all of his gear , a bat and some batting gloves.
Now lets just hope he doesn't decide that he's done with baseball. =)

Porter had mentioned in the past how he wanted to learn to play the guitar so I bought him one for Christmas. Unfortunately neither of us realized that guitars come in different sizes for people with bigger hands. So once again my gift to Porter will need to be returned. Why do I even try? =)

I did do a good job finding him smaller items of things that he can no longer find. Like his favorite hair gel that is being discontinued and his favorite brand of apple cider. So I did do a few good things. =)

The boys finally got fed up with me always getting lost so they bought me a tracking system. Hopefully I'll never be lost again. =)

I love that sexy just rolled out of bed look!

Merry Christmas Everyone

Christmas Eve

From Nana and Papa Byron got a great pajama set!
He wore these for 3 days straight!

From Grandma Peggy and Grandpa Gill he got a snuggie.
I have never seen a kid so excited!
We had no idea how much he wanted one of these.

It was even embroidered with his name on it.

Byron had been waiting for weeks to open his present on Christmas Eve.
We told him this year that he could open up both grandparent gifts. Boy was he excited.

Winner of Best Gingerbread House in Years

Byron and I finally made a decent Gingerbread House!

Look at this craftsmanship!

Blizzard of 09

So I'm just going to start with this came out all wrong. I was trying to download these pictures chronologically but everything kept getting messed up. So they are in a jumbled mess. Even now I'm considering deleting them and starting over. But that will be the 3rd time and I don't think I have it in me. =)
Byron wanted to get out of the backyard but the gate was snowed in. He had to jump the fence. Fortunately there was enough snow that he was able to practically leap over.

This is Sunday mid morning. Church was canceled and the entire neighborhood had been out for hours shoveling out. My boys of course got a late start, but they still finished strong!

This is what the parking lot looked like before the shovels came out.

Yes Byron is standing up in the snow. It was pretty neat.

So I'd put off buying snow stuff for Byron. So of course it has to snow harder then it ever has before. He really wanted to go out. So We took Porter's xxl snow suit and belted it up and my snow boots, which sadly weren't much bigger then his normal size and we sent him out.

Byron did a swan dive out the backdoor into the snow!

Doesn't this look like a comfy place to take a nap?

Byron being way to cool for the snow!

Merry Christmas!

Biggest Snow in a Decade?

The reports said this was to be the biggest storm the East Coast has seen in years.
I was skeptical. This isn't so bad. We just need some plows.

I forgot that in Maryland once it starts it doesn't stop. It's been coming down like this for 24 hours and it doesn't show signs of stopping.

Byron has been wearing his pajamas inside out in a ritual that he's been sure
would bring snow and a snowday. I think his plan has worked.
Church tomorrow has already been cancelled.
We'll keep those pajamas inside out tomorrow night too
and maybe school will be canceled as well!

First Real Concert

We were able to take Byron to a production of Handel's Messiah performed by the National Philharmonic Orchestra. It was amazing. Byron really enjoyed it too.
He even started singing the hallelujah chorus.
{This was the only picture where all of our eyes were open. At least one of mine is.}

I think where are seats were made all the difference. Porter got us box seats.
I have to say it was pretty cool! I felt like royalty.
Byron was in complete awe!

This is the view directly across from us. You can't get much higher then that.

Are they the most handsome or what?

We had a wonderful time.
I am so blessed to have such wonderful men in my life.
Thank you Porter for this amazing weekend!

Stockings and Gingerbread Men

After 9 years we finally got decent stockings. When Byron was born I purchased some cheap ones from Home Depot as a temporary measure, but then never got around to actually buying some good ones. This year I did it. Byron was sad since he's gotten attached to the old ones. I took the snowman from his old stocking and attached it to the new one and he thought that was great!

Holly sent me a recipe for gingerbread men that she said was the best ever. I made them and after adding an additional 3 cups of flour they turned out pretty cute. We are going to package them up and drop them at neighbors houses.

Our little gingerbread army.
Merry Christmas

Pagent of Peace

Byron had his first choir performance Thursday night.
It was the coldest night of the season and the performance was outside the whitehouse.
It was so cold!

The kids did such a good job.
Their singing was so good we almost forgot how cold it was. =)

These are our dear friends the Riddles.
They live on the next street over and have been great friends to us since we moved here to Maryland.

In All Its Glory

The Tree

We finally have our tree.
Its a very special tree, one that not many could love. Porter was sure once we got our decorations on it would be fine. And it is if you have really fuzzy eyesight and a bit of vertigo. =)

Apron Addict

An apron for every season.
I purchased a similar adorable apron for my sister for her birthday. When it came I didn't want to give it up it was so cute. I modeled it for Porter and told him how much I loved the apron. Two weeks later he hands me a present. Its an apron for me. He found the website and bought one for me too. Is he the best husband or what? Now i'm ready to finish decorating and find a Christmas Tree.

Happy Thanksgiving

This was colored by Byron.
He did his best coloring job ever!

Sweet Potato pie anyone?
I got this adorable apron from my Sister Holly, and I love it!
I wear it all the time!

Byron making his first Pumpkin Pie.
We actually made this pumpkin pie dairy free using coconut milk instead of evaporate milk.
It was still pretty delicious!

The Thanksgiving Table.
I sadly don't have any fancy table settings so I improvised by making pilgrim napkin rings.
I think they turned out pretty well.

I think the boy pilgrims turned out the best.
Doesn't Byron make a cute pilgrim?

And I've got to say Porter is the hottest pilgrim i've ever seen.

Vivian as a pilgrim.
I was able to find some old lace in my scrap box to make the collars for the girl pilgrims.
I think they turned out pretty cute.

The table is set the food is cooked, now were just waiting for friends to arrive!

Waiting...
Those of you who are observant might notice that Byron's hair is actually styled. He spent roughly 10 minutes combing it. Porter and I were thrilled. And yes there is hair gell in it!

Dinner!
We are so very thankful to have our friends the Logsdons and Murdocks. This is our second Thanksgiving with them. 2 more to go!
The food was delicious!

I made some little pilgrim bonnets for the girls to wear.
I tried to make pilgrim on inidian hats for the boys but Byron told me he was too old for them.

My two dear friends Vivian and Natalie, it took the little girls a while to decide they wanted to wear the hats too.

We are thankful for all of our amazing friends and family.
We love you all!