Christmas Day

On Christmas morning, Papa and Nana got up bright and early to join us.  The boys each got 3 gifts from us plus their stockings. 

Papa helping Oliver open his first gift.

Their own headphones

 Owen showing off his Hulk hands that Oliver gave him

Oliver got Cogsley the Robot

Kicking it old school with Hungry Hungry Hippos

Oliver trying to figure out his plasma car

New hat in his stocking

Oliver found a candy cane in his stocking

The aftermath

 Jeremy and I also opened our gifts to each other. (No photo documentation). After presents, we made red velvet waffles and sausage.

After showers and some playing with our new toys, we headed over to Papa and Nana's lake place to celebrate Christmas with the rest of the family.

Oliver trying out his new sleeping bag from Mark and Jen

Papa and Nana had a fun surprise gift for the boys together... a Powerwheels Jeep

This is the clock we made Mom and Dad for the new place.

It was great Christmas Day and we enjoyed having our family here in Charlotte to celebrate with. 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was celebrated with the Miller side of the family (Shannon's mom's side).  They joined us at church for Owen's play and then dinner back at our house. 

The whole family at church: cousin Cameron, Uncle Mark, Owen, Jeremy , Aunt Jennifer, me, Ma-Ma, Mom, Oliver, and Dad

Trying to get a good picture with the boys is impossible

We loved hosting everyone in our house on Christmas Eve!

Cox Family Christmas

The weekend before Christmas we traveled to Wilkesboro to celebrate Christmas with the Cox side of the family.

Owen made cookies with Grandma

Presents ready to be opened

You can't go to Grandpa and Grandma's without riding the 4 wheeler.  It was freezing though!

Oliver got a Spiderman bouncy ball

 
Owen got a marshmallow shooter

Grandma got some new shirts

Owen and Oliver both love the marshmallow gun! I think Oliver just likes eating the ammo. :)

Sadly I didn't get any pictures the next day when all the cousins came to exchange gifts as it was a mayhem of paper and toys. Though it was short, we had a great time celebrating!
 

New Christmas Tradition

For as long as I can remember, we have always had an artificial Christmas tree. My parents liked the ease of it and even after we got married, I inherited that same tree.  I've always wanted a real tree though for the smell and just the fun of it really.

Well this year, before leaving the mountains at Thanksgiving, we decided to go pick out a fresh tree.  The boys were feeling ok so we said why not.  We drove a little ways to choose and cut farm.  We really just picked the first one we came to, but it turned out to be awesome.  The farmer drove you up the mountain in a hayride to a mass hill of trees.  You picked up a measuring stick and wandered around in the forest until you found one. After you picked the tree, one of his workers came by on the 4 wheeler and cut it down and took it back down to be tied up.  They gave you free hot chocolate and coffee too!

The older boys on the hay ride (please forgive the poor quality from my phone)

Hayride up the mountain

All the trees on the mountain ready to be chosen

Jeremy sizing up the tree

Trying another tree

The man cutting down our tree

Family shot before going down the mountain

It really was so much fun and a new tradition that I hope we continue for many years to come!

Thanksgiving 2012

Thanksgiving 2012 was spent with the Cox side of the family in Wilkesboro, NC.  As usual, Emma made a delicious Thanksgiving meal of turkey, her famous stuffing, and all the trimmings.  My favorite of course was the pumpkin pie! Sadly every member of our immediate family came down with a stomach bug while we were there.  Poor Oliver started it then it moved from Jeremy to Owen.  Sadly Owen didn't even partake in the meal.   Because of the bug, we only stayed over one night, but we really enjoyed our stay and being able to hang out with our family.  We are so blessed with such wonderful families and had so much to give thanks for this year. 

Halloween 2012

The porch lights have been turned off and the boys are in bed. Halloween 2012 has come and gone and we now have loads of candy.  

Oliver refused to put on his monkey costume so we made a last minute wardrobe change from a monkey to a dragon. (Thanks Grandma Cox for dress up clothes!) However, they were both still cute as ever.  Both boys enjoyed trick or treating and Oliver wanted to eat every piece of candy he got as soon as it hit the basket.  We started sneaking the candy from his basket into Owen's in between houses to keep him from eating it. :)