December, Christmas, and Family :)

We have had a very blessed December and Christmas! On little Cyril's birthday, the gym had a breakfast with Santa. Both of the boys enjoyed seeing Santa!

 

This past week my sister was in town so we went to Dollywood on Wednesday. We enjoyed riding all of the roller coasters and staying until dark to admire all of the lights. Then we went back with Cyril's parents and his brother Evan on Sunday. Where we were able to take in some Christmas shows, ride the rides, and even go on the train at night to see more lights! Tommy loved the Rockin' Roadway where he was able to drive the car. We must have ridden it eight times in a row while everyone else was watching The Polar Express in 4-D! It was a cool and rainy day, but still very enjoyable! The ride home was a different story...Tommy is not fond of being confined to his car seat, so he serenaded us most of the way home by screaming at the top of his lungs. Until we got smart and my husband played Mickey Mouse Clubhouse on his phone for Tommy to watch (why we didn't think of this sooner I am not sure), which saved the day.

 

 

 

On Christmas Eve we attended the Christmas pageant at church where little Cyril was a Shepherd. He did a great job of course!

 

Then we went to my in-laws to spend the night. I wasn't quite sure how it would go, but we had a great time. My father in law read the Christmas book that he had read to all of his kids on Christmas Eve, the boys were a little restless but enjoyed it. Then it was time for bed, Little Cyril and Tommy were fast asleep by eight o'clock. I went back to church for the late service with Evan, I really enjoy all of the carols.

Christmas morning came quickly, and after my father-in-law Cyril read us the story of Jesus' birth from the Bible we went downstairs to see what Santa had brought for us :)

 

 

 

Santa even brought the TREE!!! Then of course the boys were ready to open the gifts under the tree...

 

 

 

 

Then to church we went for our Christmas Day service. This is one of my favorite church services to go to, I love hearing and being reminded what Christmas is truly about. The birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

After church, we headed home for a much needed nap! I fell asleep watching A Christmas Story, one of my favorite things to do on Christmas day. Cyril and Cyril watched Madagascar 3, and little Cyril modeled the wig that came with it :)

 

After Tommy and I woke up, we went over to my parents to see my sister Beth, my parents, and my Grandmother. There we were blessed with many more gifts, and a wonderful time with my family. Then we headed to Chinese with Cyril's parents and brother Evan for dinner! This was a first, I have never eaten out on Christmas. It was fun and delicious! Then we headed back to the Meredith's to finish the gifts from around the tree. I got the rest of my fiesta ware, and it looks BEAUTIFUL in my cabinet!

 

Even with Cyril still looking for work and a tight budget, this was an amazing Christmas. Spending quality time with family was so wonderful, and watching the boys enjoy their gifts and play with their Aunts and Uncles is priceless.

Today we are relaxing a bit and cleaning house before heading back to the Meredith's, where Amanda and Matt will join us for Christmas dinner. I went to the gym this morning and came home to a mostly clean house, which was wonderful. Little Cyril is already getting better at the drums, and even though it is cold and rainy Tommy wants to be outside riding in his truck.

 

Little Cyril and I are about to make some sour cream cookies with burnt butter frosting. Really enjoying this time off from work, but will get back to it tomorrow!

I hope you too had a very Merry Christmas, and may the new year bring you and your family many blessings! Merry Christmas!

Happy Sixth Birthday, Cyril!

How Time Flies

This past month has just flown by. I don't really even know where to begin. Cyril is still on the job hunt. We are pretty sure we won't hear anything until after the new year. In the meantime he is helping a TON around the house, and the boys love having him home.

As for me I am working a lot, but am enjoying it.

Little Cyril is doing fantastic. He has already met all of the goals for kindergarten! They moved him to a different reading group so he could continue learning instead if waiting for the rest of the class to get to his level. He will be turning six in Saturday, so we are making homemade pizzas and having cupcakes to celebrate. The gym also has a breakfast with Santa on Saturday so he can enjoy that as well.

As for Tommy, he LOVES having Daddy take care of him every day. Not real sure what will happen when Cyril gets a job, Tommy won't know what to do with himself! Tommy is working on getting several teeth, and is really enjoying our Christmas tree with all of its pretty sparkling ornaments! Our Elf on the shelf has also been back with us since Thanksgiving, and both boys wake up running to find Elfy. And Tommy asks to see him all day long!

That is about all for now, will try to post birthday pictures on Saturday! Here are some recent pictures to tide you over :)