Life With 2 (+ 1) Redheads

So while we all know that Christmas is not about receiving but giving, there was certainly a fair amount of receiving presents this year.  I say it every year, but my kiddos always get way too much, and then I look at our house and it's resemblance to Toys R Us and think that we really need to start donating toys.  While we plan to have a spring yard sale to get rid of many baby items, I think in the effort to declutterize and once again get our house ready for the market, we should probably start donating a few things!

Just off the top of my head, Tyler received the following for Christmas:

1. Batcave
2. Batman figurines
3. Leapfrog Explorer game
4. Clothes/PJs/Boxers
5. Board games
6. Wrist watch
7. Step 1-3 reading books
8. Brainquest kindergarten workbook
9. Crayons
10. Transformers
11. Matchbox cars
12. Razor Scooter
13. 5 DVDs of movies he likes
14. Beanbag chair
15. Playdough
16. Legos
17. Puzzles
18. Nerf gun
19. Remote control helicopter
20. Video game controller
21. Hockey stick and goal

Ryan got the following things that I can remember:

1. Plush Elmo
2. Broom and dustpan set
3. Thomas the train toy
4. Personalized board book
5. Crayons
6. Crayola Beginnings Color Me a Song
7. Cars
8. Books
9. Clothes/socks
10. Pillow pet
11. Animal figurines
12. Toy phone (which was defective!)
13. Aquadoodle
14. Puzzle
15. Peek-a-shoe talking octopus
16. Plush Thomas the train
17. Thomas tent
18. Bean bag chair

And not to leave the parents out, Josh and I were also recipients of some fun gifts.  Josh got a few manly gifts like an air hose and a Leatherman Multitool.  He also got a fleece and a video game.  But by far the best gift was the one Tyler gave him.  For weeks prior to Christmas, Tyler said he wanted to get his daddy batman underwear.  I explained that we wouldn't find adult batman underwear and suggested we perhaps look for something else :)  But lo and behold, never underestimate the powers of Kohls, my favorite retail store!

It even came with a koozie and some pajama pants :)

I received a bottle of Burberry perfume, some pajama pants and cold weather wear, a new dress coat, jewelry from my boys, a lighting screen and stand for my photography, and a beautiful new watch that I've been so excited to receive!!


Many thanks to our parents and siblings for spoiling our kids :)  Now, it's time to start making piles to donate!

Our last and final stop was right at our door at home!  Josh's side of the family met us for an afternoon of opening presents, socializing, and my MIL's famous lasagna.  This year was important for Josh and his family as all of his siblings were here to celebrate.  Being a family of officers, nurses, and one who lives up north, it's hard for everyone's schedule to come together! As I 100% expected, Tyler and Ryan were thoroughly spoiled this Christmas.  But being the only grandchildren, this is only normal!

Funny...we didn't have all that under our tree before we left!

Opening presents...lots of them!

I have a feeling I will have to learn how to play this game!

Reading a really cute card that has Santa's belly shaking

Both boys received beanbag chairs

Ryan's new thing is saying "cheese!"

We have a total train lover in our house!

It might have been my house, but my MIL was definitely the cook!

This is how you make shift a dining room :)

The fixings!

Tyler also received a hockey stick and goal...which the boys were testing out for him!

When dinner was served for 10 in our 1440 square foot house with no dining room, it didn't matter because we made it work :)

For reasons unknown to me as a woman, about 20 minutes of nerf gun wars took place. I'm certain I will find the foam ammunition in my house for a while!


And when the evening closed, we finally got a family picture of Josh's family--the first in many years.


And a picture of our family of four which I'm embarrassed to say is only the second family picture taken of us in 2011! 


Merry Christmas!!

No one got a lot of sleep Christmas Eve and into Christmas morning, so we were all a little out of sorts.  Ryan was the most affected by his lack of sleep and pretty much fussed all morning.  Let's just say he went down for a nap at 7:45 am, and I had to wake up two hours later.  Anyway, the lack of sleep did not stop his big brother!  All Tyler wanted was a batcave for Christmas.  Sure, he'd take other gifts, but he really wanted this thing!  So, he was definitely excited to see it waiting for him in the morning along with other gifts and stocking stuffers!

The batcave!

More presents...more presents...more presents!

Stocking stuffers

Can you relate?

Our 5 year old's only Christmas wish!

Ryan, of course, didn't know what was going on, and stood a little confused and then cried and fussed a bit.  But he did recognize his Elmo stuffed animal and his broom and dust pan.  Now maybe he won't use mine and bang up our walls :)

Broom and dust pan :)

Personalized board book

He is a pro at opening presents!

"Choo choo" from Tyler!

Helping each other open presents

We headed over to my grandmother's house for more presents and a quick lunch (on our part).  I say quick because we had to head back to our house for more Christmas!  The boys had fun opening presents and playing with their cousins!

One of the many snacks to hold him off to lunch!

A new watch that teaching him to tell time

Where's Ryan?

Here I am!

I had help opening my presents :)

Ryan and mommy

I was so happy with how this throw turned out for my grandmother!

Stay tuned for our last visit--our home with the LeConeys!

This year was so fun celebrating Christmas with the boys. Between our elf, Christmas programs, the excitement of Santa Claus, and Ryan’s “ho ho ho” every time he saw him, the house was just filled with smiles! Tyler’s winter break started earlier last week, so he went to stay with his Mimi and Paw Paw for a week. Josh, Tyler, and I went to reunite with him on Friday in Jamestown where we stayed for two nights. To say that the boys were excited to see each other is an understatement! They giggled and chased each other for hours!

Christmas Eve morning, we woke up and opened presents from Mimi and Paw Paw, and we gave them our presents. Tyler and Ryan had a great time playing with their new toys, and Josh and I enjoyed ours as well! That evening we had family over and enjoyed food, drinks, and watching A Christmas Story, which has become a tradition. Before heading to bed, the boys put out the reindeer food, put out cookies and milk, and put out a picture that Tyler and Mimi drew for Santa. Ryan went straight down to sleep, but Tyler had a much harder time! He came out once saying “I need to tell you something. I’m just a little too excited to fall asleep!” Finally, close to 10 pm he fell asleep!

My parents' tree

Opening presents

A present for both of the BOYS pictured above :)

Tyler received a razor scooter.

Posing....or is that choking?

Plenty of decorations

My cousin, Curtis', famous homemade guacamole dip

Decorated cookies

My 93 year old Grandma

Plenty of relaxing

Putting out reindeer food

Cookies and Milk for Santa

Pictures for Santa

Stay tuned for Part Dos---Christmas day!

Ryan's class had a Christmas program yesterday, and guess who was an elf?  I must admit, he makes a very cute one!  He did very well sitting still, but he looks a little too content and bored :)  Oh well, at least he wasn't the one crying!  Make sure you watch the video as well!