Christmas!!

Christmas came so quickly this year, I can't believe its already over! But we had a good one, the boys were so excited and all about santa this year

"Can we come down now?!" I love that even Ruby was excited.

Nolan got up at 7:30 which is sleeping in for Christmas morning standards but not at all for Miles' standards. We bribed him with computer time to let Miles sleep in a bit more. 

FINALLY!

Still a bit groggy. 

Still not quite awake.

Oh yeah!!!

Figuring out the toddler laptop together.

Ruby got a new squeaky stuffed reindeer that she promptly murdered and this antler that she is still working on!

Nolan asked santa for the ultimate parking garage, and since Miles does everything like Nolan he too asked for one too. Santa must have known we didn't have enough space for 2 of these monstrosities because he brought us one and hid it in the playroom. When all the presents were opened Pat remembered that he saw a big present in the playroom. They were so excited that Santa hadn't forgotten. Nolan later said he thought Santa didn't bring him it and he was sad about that so he was extra happy to see it.

Onto family christmas it was more hot wheels. Don't let the sour face fool you, he was pumped about this set.

And of course the annual cousin pj picture. It's still pretty difficult to get a good picture of these 4.

I'm partial to the nose picking one though. This year we added some cousin puppies to the mix.

 

And our little family.  

Cookies

We decorated cookies today and it wasn't horrible. I'm not a huge fan of needless messes so anything involving my kids + stickiness +sprinkles/sparkles usually leads to an OCD freakout but it all went great today. The kids were calm and that makes all the difference. 

I haven't been using my big camera as much lately. I blame time, energy, uncooperative subjects, so it was nice to pick it up again. I need a refresher on focus settings as I can't seem to get my trifecta of focus, shutter and light right. Oh well, I'll add it to my new years resolutions. So I'm sorry about the blurry, grainy photos, the moments are there.

And Megan, you used Alton Brown's sugar cookie recipe but added more milk and did Pioneer Woman's yolk glaze. The icing is store bought...I can't do it all! ;)

Nolan had crazy hair day on Friday and has refused to take a bath to wash it out. This is what it looks like 3 days later. 

Miles even did great, I never know with that one.  

Miles Happily cleaned up his sprinkle spill.

Those finger dimples are still around! I squish them everyday.

A few of our finished projects. 

Nolan's M&M moose.

Helping miles squeeze out the frosting. 

All dry and ready to eat. I told him he could eat it if he agreed to take a shower afterward. He thought that seemed fair.

"Miles show me your cookie!" So close!

"Can I eat it now?" Yes!

Our tree got an upgrade this year(thanks granny!). It doubled in size but still is completely filled up with all the ornaments Pat and I have exchanged over the last 13 years, the ones the kids made and some from my childhood. 

Post shower, the boys were "helping" me clean up. Nolan was after the sprinkles.

While Miles worked on the icing. 

After we were done, Miles was licking his fingers and said "MMM, tastes like fingers!" :)

Aquarium

We finally got around to taking Miles to the Seattle Aquarium. He hasn't been before (Nolan has gone at least 5 times!) so we figured it was time. We went on a late Friday evening and had the place practically to ourselves!

Grumpy scuba diver and wolf eel!

It is getting to be more and more difficult to get a decent picture of Miles. It's usually blurry or he's looking away, these are the best I could get from this busy 3 year old.

Nolan found the one shark in the whole tank and it was a DOG shark. This blew his mind, as dogs and sharks are his 2 favorite animals. He watched this one for a long time!

The octopus put on quite a show, expanding his legs, swimming around and checking us out through the glass. 

Our first trip with both kids was a huge success! We'll be back again soon.