Monday, December 29, 2008

Christmas

We heard about these lights and the boys and I went out to see them one night. The lights light up to music on a radio station! Here is a brief video clip:





Here are some "still" pictures, but they didn't turn out as well:





We also went to see another house downtown. This is a beautiful old house and it was very pretty for Christmas:





What's a post without the newest fashion photo? Here is the Christmas version



Christmas morning was a lot of fun with the boys opening their gifts. Nathan just didn't get into though. He would open one present and want to stop and play with that present. He didn't understand that there were more to come!


Opening their stockings




Collin opening his White Kitty (what he wanted most)




I always get a little sad at the end of the day when Christmas is over. So much leads up to the one day and it is over so quickly. My hope is that the spirit of Christmas stays with our family (and yours) throughout the year!

Saturday, December 27, 2008

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

This will probably be a long post since it has been so long since I've posted! It has been a whirlwind. Jim had laser surgery on his remaining kidney stones on 12/15 and has been in pain every day since (except for yesterday which was his first pain free day YEAH!). It has been hard on everyone, him for the pain and the kids because they wanted to play with Daddy and couldn't, and me for being a "single parent" during the busy Christmas season!

The time leading up to Christmas was very busy. I felt like I was baking in a cake marathon! :) First, we had our work Christmas party. We did Secret Santa and I drew my friend Jennifer's name. I had fun giving her the gifts all week and trying to keep it a surprise. She introduced me to a blog called Cake Wrecks. One of the cakes on this site is a pretty funny looking cake where mohawk-wearing babies are riding carrots! Who knows why a cake would be created like this, but she and I found it very funny, so I made her one. Here are a couple of photos:





Collin and I attended a birthday party at Chuck E Cheese's (Collin loves this place!) and I made a firetruck cake with cupcakes with fireman on them:





One night we went to visit Santa. As you can see by these pictures, the twins were not impressed :):





Two Wednesday nights each month I help in the Mission Friends class at our church. The children range from age 2 through 5 and we usually have a room full! I think I learn as much from the children as they do from me sometimes and I really enjoy being with them. Collin loves it too when Mommy is his teacher :) On the 17th I made them a Happy Birthday Jesus cake. I made one last year and one of the children remembered and asked for it again this year. Its great to hear the little ones talk about Jesus's birthday. Here is a picture of this year's cake:



On 12/18 Tristan had his party for Karate. He received his yellow belt! We are so proud of him and he plans to continue on in Karate. He really enjoys it and we love it as it teaches him discipline. I baked the cake for the class. Here are some pictures:






On Friday (12/19) my last day of work, I took Tristan to school and brought in reindeer cupcakes for his class as well as goody bags for the kids and presents for his two teachers. I then took Jim to the Dr. to get his stint out, drove him home, and rushed into work. I also took a cake to work with me that day to give to a former coworker for her son's birthday. Here are a couple of photos:




On Saturday, we were on the float for our church in the Christmas parade. The twins were angels, Tristan was a shepherd, and Collin was himself :) He didn't want to wear a costume he said. They were all were great. The twins were going to be with Daddy watching the parade, but he wasn't feeling well from his surgery so they came along. It worked out great, the weather was nice (not too cold) and the kids were on their best behavior. We had to be at the float at 12:00 and the parade didn't start until 2:00. I brought plenty of snacks including some Christmas cookies and juice boxes for all the kids after the ride. We had a great time and our Church handed out Candy canes with bible verses out to folks along the way. Here are some photos:





On Sunday nights our church offers an Awana program and I help teach Tristan's class (the Sparks). This past Sunday all the classes went in front of the church for a program. They recited Bible verses they had memorized. Even Collin's class is able to recite scripture! I was a very proud momma, not only for my boys but for all the kids we work with. It is amazing to see them recite scripture they learned weeks ago. Tristan loves this program and was concerned that the program meant it was over. I had to explain that it runs through the school year and he was happy as he loves going on Sunday nights. Each night the children spend time hearing a bible story, reciting their scripture, and playing games. Here are some photos of our Sunday program:


Collin's class



Collin reciting his verse



Story time



Tristan's class (actually about 1/2 the class as some were travelling for the holidays)



Tristan reciting his verses



All classes sang Christmas carols at the end with the entire church




On Tuesday, I took the boys to my work to give my coworker/friend a Christmas cake I had baked her. Brianna came with us. They had a blast because my friend Jasmine gave them bunches of candy and goodies. Here is the cake I made her. Collin says I need to make one for him now! :)



We have also had fun this week making a gingerbread house and Christmas cookies. The kids (and Brianna) decorated these themselves.




Anyone in for a sprinkle overdose?




I'll post Christmas photos and our pictures of going to see Christmas lights later. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas! Perhaps you can see why I didn't have time to send Christmas cards this year! :)

Thursday, December 11, 2008

Christmas is almost here!

Can you believe Christmas is just two weeks away? I do not feel ready, but I'm trying not to stress too much about it. I want to stay focused on the reason for the season and to teach my children not only about Santa, but the real reason for celebration--the birth of Christ.


The kids got so excited when we brought the Christmas items from the attic. We have a multitude of singing santas, snowmen, etc. that grandmas have given us over the years. The kids absolutely love them. Here is a picture of the twins having a great time discovering them as we brought them down. They had all of them singing and making noise at one time which was quite loud but comical:





By the way Nanna, take a close look at this snowman. You bought it long ago (I believe for Tristan). He has long ago lost his swinging lights and his hips might not sway as much to the music, but the boys love him just as much :)




Isn't he one of the cutest Santas you've ever seen?



Even Santa's gotta brush his teeth :)




Here's a familiar sight at the Davis household

We all love ice cream, including the twins. In case you don't believe me, here is some evidence :)





Who's cuter, me or the bear? My mom says I am of course!

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

To run is futile.....

I'll let the next few pictures tell their own story. This is but one of the many adventures the boys had at cousin's house:


Maybe if I hide on the other side of this bush they won't see me



If these boys think they can sneak up on me, they are sooo wrong!



Bad idea, need to hide behind this bush perhaps?



Captured!



Silly me, I forgot thanksgiving was yesterday and they eat Turkey, not chicken!




Best Buds









The five days with cousins flew by. We had a great time. On Friday my sweet hubby was very brave and watched all 7 little ones by himself while Carolyn, Tina, and I went shopping for the entire day. The chicken run photos were taken by him that day :) He also helped out around her house by hauling in some more wood to get Carolyn through the next month or so. He took the boys hunting and a great time was had by all. No snow this trip, but they sure got some the morning after we left. Maybe we'll get in some snow sometime to play this winter! We miss you cousins very much!