And MORE Holiday fun

More pictures from our holiday week! We spent several days in Cochran visiting my family. The boys always have a blast at the farm. There is so much to see and do. Here are some pictures from our trip.

The boys LOVED this 'diner' that my mom found. So much that she let us bring it home for our playroom

Silly boys in their matching jammies

And Nana and Grandpa came to visit the day after Christmas. They could only stay for a few days since Nana is still recovering from her back surgery, but we were so glad to see them!

They loved the mega-blocks piano

Reading books with Nana

Christmas morning!

Santa came!! We had a wonderful Christmas with these two crazy boys. They must have been good this year because Santa was very good to both of them. All through the holiday season, Mason asked Santa for 2 things: a 'Jake' play tent and a bike. He was very excited to get both, but so far has been too scared of the bike to try to ride it. We'll give him some time to warm up to it. Matthew got mega-blocks and a Mickey Mouse clubhouse. Here are a ton more pictures: https://picasaweb.google.com/chenretty/Holidays2013#

Boys playing in the 'Jake Tent'

Arrgghhh - Pirate Mason

Big boy on his new bike!

Christmas in Yonkers

More Christmas posts to come, but I wanted to share some fun pictures of one of our Christmas outings while we were celebrating with my family at the farm before Christmas. There is a house in Yonkers, Georgia (yes, that is a place) that is well known for their Christmas Lights. You can read all about the family here (http://www.trippchristmas.com/). It's a very sweet story about the Tripp family who decorate for Christmas for their children (one of whom has beaten a serious form of cancer). It has grown over the years and they invite everyone to come walk through their yard to see their amazing light display. Mason and BreAnna had a BLAST! We had to walk through the lights twice to take it all in. Matthew was a bit overwhelmed by it all, but he enjoyed it too. The pictures don't do it justice. It was a sight to see, so if you're ever in middle Georgia for the holidays, definitely check it out.

You can even visit Santa while you're there!

Through the eyes of a child

I've always loved Christmas and I knew it would be much more special now that I have my own children to share it with, but I'm especially excited this year because Mason is finally at an age where he actually understands and is really excited about Christmas. It is so much fun to see Christmas through the eyes of an innocent child for the very first time. His excitement over seeing even the smallest display of Christmas lights is just awesome. I have to find new ways to drive home just so we pass more houses with lights. Our new elf, 'Murray' came to stay with us for the holidays and Mason runs downstairs every morning to see where Murray has perched after his trip back from the North Pole. Mason has visited Santa several times already this year and just loves him. He consistently asks for a 'Jake Tent' and a bike for Christmas and he has been a very good boy lately. Matthew on the other hand... well, as Mason told Murray the other day, 'He cries a lot because he's a baby'. Maybe Santa will give him a pass this year?

Visiting Santa at school. He was so excited!

We built gingerbread houses and Christmas trees with our friends (and ate more than we used for the decorating)

Even Shadow got into the Christmas spirit!

Our Elf, Murray, ate Mason's donuts one morning. Luckily, that is about as mischievous as our elf gets :)

Our family Christmas tree!

The boys' tree in their playroom

Matthew liked playing with the Christmas balls (don't worry, they are the unbreakable, aka plastic, kind)

My oldest sweet boy before church one weekend (Matthew was with Mimi this weekend)

So Thankful

This is the best 'family' shot I could get :)

We have a lot to be thankful this year. Most of all, my two, crazy, healthy boys. I love them more than I ever thought possible. We are thankful for our entire family and we were so blessed that my parents and brother's family came to celebrate with us. We're very thankful for our first thanksgiving with Brittney and BreAnna officially a part of our family and VERY thankful that we have a new cousin on the way due in early June 2014! Wow - what a year! Here's a few pictures. It was a little crazy, so I didn't get very many good family shots.

Matthew with his Mimi

Mason was thankful for his cupcake :)

As was BreAnna

What a beautiful family! And check out that little baby bump :)

Matthew was not in the best mood this day, but he cheered up after lunch.

And we're in the Christmas spirit here! Mason LOVED decorating his very own tree!!