December 28, 2009

Merry Christmas Eve!



Jonas loves his Santa hat!

Grandpa Fred & Grandma Judy came to stay
with us for Christmas this year.  Jonas
had a great time playing in the backseat with them
on the way to our Christmas Eve service at Cedar Creek West.


Jonas sat on his Grandpa's lap
most of the service! 
Then we went home & enjoyed some
Christmas goodies of jalapeno poppers, taco dip with
chips, egg nog & Christmas cookies, of course!
Jonas left a plate of cookies for Santa, by the tree, along
with some egg nog.  He was happy to see
it was gone in the morning!

Our Christmas present!



On Christmas Eve, Jonas decided that HE
was going to be our Christmas present...
so he put a bow on his head & sat under our tree!
He's such a silly & smart boy!




But, he's right!  He IS our Christmas present. 
Our best one EVER!!!

Buzz!

We went to a Christmas party at a friend's house for
the Mom's club.  Jonas & his friends were playing with costumes
He came downstairs in this one!  He LOVES it!

"Buzz Lightyear to the Rescue!  To Infinity and Beyond!"

Making Christmas Cookies & Treats!

I made a few yummy sweet treats earlier in December,
but they were gone before I could take a picture. 
I'll have to remember those for next year!!
Jonas and his Daddy made Christmas cookies this year.

Here's Jonas cutting them out...

and eating them quicker than his
Daddy can get them on the pan!




When they were done, they got frosting & sprinkles!

My favorites were the Christmas Palm Trees!



Jonas loved ALL of them!  Ok... we did too.

Next, Jonas helped peel off the wrappers for all
of the Hershey's kisses we needed for our next creation.

I was so surprised he didn't eat every last one! 
He did really well.  He was a better helper than I was.
I LOVE CHOCOLATE!  Don't you?!

Ah... the peanut butter cookies with the kiss in the middle!
Hope you had some fun Christmas treats this year, too.

Christmas Tree & Train Fun!

We took a road trip to Gilbert, SC, with some friends,
recently and explored "Harmon's Tree Farm" with the kids.
We got there around 11:30 to have a picnic outside, let the kids play
and started our group fun around 1:00.  Huge rain clouds were lingering
but luckily it only sprinkled a little, while we were in the store.

Jonas loved all the Christmas decorations and
climbing the stairs they had in the dining area.
Now it was time to venture outside again and
check out the CHRISTMAS TRAIN!

We took a ride on the "Christmas Tree Express!"
This was certainly the highlight of the day!

As you can see, Jonas was "all smiles" the WHOLE time!

The train broke down half way around the field of trees,
so we had the opportunity to walk around and find our
favorite tree & take pictures!

Jonas loved this one... and said it was his Triangle tree!
We had a GREAT time.  We even saw a few animals.
It was not Christmas (cold) weather, but it was a super
fun day!!

His own Christmas Tree!

In the past, we have only had one tree... our artificial Christmas tree.
This year, we thought it would be fun to put this tree up
eliminating a few rows of branches and letting Jonas decorate it
and have fun with it in the sunroom.  He, of course, helped decorate
our family tree, but this tree was especially for him.

This is the tree ornament Jonas made at a dear friends house!
He loves it...

O Christmas Tree, O Christmas Tree!

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging;
Not only green when summer's here,
But also when 'tis cold and drear.
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree!
Thy leaves are so unchanging!



Looking for his FAVORITE tree




We found the perfect tree! 
Our very own ... REAL Christmas tree!



O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
How richly God has decked thee!  
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
How richly God has decked thee! 
Thou bidst us true and faithful be, 
And trust in God unchangingly. 
O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! 
How richly God has decked thee!

December 2, 2009

Christmastime Is Here...


Mark & Jonas put the lights up outside a few weeks ago.
It was our first "taste" of Christmas...

and we love every bit of it!


SOME of us love it so much we turn blurry!!

We're having fun getting ready to have a very Merry Christmas!!
We hope you are too.
More decorations to come...

Our Thanksgiving Trip to Maryland



On long trips - we need our buddies with us!
Especially his favorite puppy who doubles as a pillow.

The trip was 10 hours (on the way there).
It was our first time driving & we arrived
at 2:30 am Thanksgiving Day!

After getting some sleep, we enjoyed a wonderful meal.

Shortly after, Jonas was ready to ride!

And play...
the leaves were very crunchy!

He loves it at Grandma & Grandpa's

And CUDDLE TIME!

And as if the Thanksgiving food wasn't good enough,
he ended the day with a bowl of ice cream
from the local ice cream shop!
His Grandpa says,
"Jonas, you can have ANYTHING while you're at our house!"
What a wonderfully tasty day.

We're so Thankful!!

****************************************


The next morning, Mark made his homemade
caramel pecan rolls!!  The dough was perfectly
fluffy.  The caramel was sweet & creamy.

Our hands were sweet & sticky.


But it was OH SO GOOD!

****************************************

On Sunday, we enjoyed a great church service! 
Jonas was able to check out the sound booth
while his Daddy practiced his songs. 



Jonas loved going to Sunday School &
playing with the other kids during church!
After church, we went & enjoyed a great meal at
a restaurant called "Batters Up".  I had a Patty melt. 
Jonas & Mark had breakfast.  It was yummy!

Our drive home was scenic!  Mark took a couple
pictures from the Bay Bridge.  It was really pretty.






It was a great trip!  We can't wait to
go up there again!

*****************************************

JOYFUL for GRAPES!


For years now (a total of about 1 1/2) we
have tried to entice Jonas to eat grapes. 
We've cut them in half &
even served them with fruit dip!

He has never completely eaten a grape.
I know - it may not seem like an important thing -
but grapes are good for you - and yummy!

I bought some wonderful tasting grapes &
he decided to give them a try again. 
Today was the day!

He LOVES GRAPES!

BY THE BUNCHES!!

Oh, what a JOYFUL snack-time it was!