Christmas 2012 {Taylor's}

 Nena and her boys

 Chillin with Bubba

 Lots of gifts

 Cousins pic!

 Boxes of all shapes and sizes...

 ...an awesome new Elmo vest!

 What a mess!

We convinced Papa to try on one of the girls' wigs...so cute.

It was another Taylor Christmas to remember!

The food and company were fabulous.

The gifts were ridiculous...I think my kids came home with more than they opened here on Christmas morning.

I can't get over how much alike theses kids look sitting next to each other...especially the little ones on the couch.  There are so many blue eyes!

Static Home

It is SO freakin dry here!  Logan's hair has gotten to long that is clings to everything with the lack of humidity...kinda cracks me up.

Christmas 2012 {Papa's}

This evening we went to my dad's house to celebrate with he & Lisa + the grandparents.  I got to enjoy some of the food but before we really even began opening gifts I had a horrible allergic reaction that required and E.R. visit and treatment with a bizillion meds including epinephrine.  It was very similar to the reaction I had while pregnant with Gavin except that this time my entire airway began to swell shut within 15 min of the onset.

Despite my absence, my hubby did a great job taking pics and keeping the boys entertained.  I am sad I didn't get to spend more time with everyone but definitely another good Christmas party to add to the books(minus the Mommy part).

We are all home now safely tucked in our beds.  We are all EXHAUSTED too!

Christmas 2012 {Our House}

 

The little boys made it until almost 6:30 AM on Christmas morning.  Each of our boys had 3 gifts...1 from Santa, 1 from Mom/Dad and 1 from the brothers.  The lack of number of gifts to open made for swift gift unwrapping.   Honestly though, they each got more than they asked for!!!  The stockings were abundant.

Each year I struggle when it comes to Christmas...especially with step kiddos, you want to make sure that your love is portrayed equally.  This year I decided, 3 gifts was ENOUGH!  After all, the wise men brought Jesus 3 gifts, right?  It seems like a great starting place for us.

I think that 3 gifts will be a tradition that is continued.  We are beyond blessed to have so much family that buy gifts for the boys...sometimes I am fumbling for gift ideas because so many people have asked.

I will say that I missed the large Howell Christmas gathering this year.  It seems like tradition has died with my Great Grandma.  Maybe soon we can figure out how to make it all work again.  It's tough trying to get 90+ people together.  However, the fact that we always seemed to do it, made me feel like our family was special.

I am looking forward to creating Christmas traditions with my own boys.  I am imagining the excitement as Gavin actually opens his own gifts next year and doesn't need anyone's help.  Bless his heart, he was so close!!!

Sneak Peek

 

We are just a LITTLE crazy on Christmas morning...

Twas the Night Before Christmas {2012}

Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Mommy was yelling, "Don't jump on that couch!"
The stocking were hung on the mantle with care
In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds
With visions of trains dancing 'round in their heads.
While the living room was strewn with a load of Christmas crap
Daddy settled on his couch with his nightcap.

When outside the door there arose such a clatter
I sprang from the couch to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew in a flash
Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash.

The moon rose high in the clear winter sky
The stars seemed to twinkle and say "Merry Christmas, goodnight."
When, what to my wondering eyes did appear
 But the redneck neighbors out front drinking beer.

I gave them the bitchiest look I could bear
Don't they know that it's late and 20 degrees out here?
I swear that I'll hurt them if the babies they wake
I don't think they know what is truly at stake!

At last I resigned to my bed for the night
So exhausted and sleepy there was no reason to fight!
As I drifted off to sleep I thought with all my might
"Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night."

Christmas 2012 {Newmans}

We spent Christmas Eve with the Newman Family.  The food was great, the cousins were fun.  My kids always love the dogs and games while we waited were a highlight!  I wish I could say more...Mommy is exhausted.

Love, Sweet Love

 

I've been working some long hours here lately...and these boys, these super sweet boys, have been giving all the love that they have to their dear Mommy.

Personality!

In case you were missing us...

Christmas 2012 {Nana's}

 

 

 

We celebrated Christmas with Nana tonight.  They all came to us so we didn't have to drive the boys to Nana's.  We went completely out of the ordinary and ordered Chinese rather than cooking.  It was so easy and YUMMY!

We really missed AJ and Kristin.  The boys were adorable opening their gifts.  Steve and I got a couples massage/lunch/baby sitting package from mom and Kate.  We will SO be using that soon!

Trains and Love

WOW!  In these true to life pics you can see how truly outdated our kitchen is...an english woman lived here before us and painted/stenciled the cabinets in an awful pattern.  As you can see, my boys don't mind a bit.  Mommy was home today doing 13 loads of laundry and getting ready for the Christmas week when she got a call that she was desperately needed at work here in town.

I agreed to go in only to learn seconds later that a weirdo flashing a gun on college campus was on the prowl.  Our daycare gal texted me, scared, as she lives 4 blocks from the college.  I assured her that they would be fine and went into work for the agreed upon two hours.  I was greatly needed there.

Then, I came home and after everyone was fed, got to have some fun "train time" with my boys.  Who could possibly love these two more except Jesus?  They are simply adorable!  I think I have a new all-time favorite pic tonight!  Rare are the moments that they love on one another without being prompted.