Christmas Eve had always been celebrated as the main event growing up. We'd go to church, have tamales for dinner, and get to open presents at midnight! I brought the traditions back this year with the exception of the gifts at midnight (I think it goes without saying that a sleep deprived mama can make one little exception). Of course, our traditions evolved to include cookies for Santa and Christmas p.j.'s. Here's the before pictures....stay tuned for tomorrow mornings madness! Feliz Navidad!

Christmas tree.....CHECK!









Old fashioned hot cocoa....CHECK!






Yummy cookie bark, peanut brittle, and pretzels...CHECK!









Adorable and tasty gingerbread men.... CHECK!









Great friends to share them with.....CHECK!

'tis the season to be merry!

What no dessert picture? No, not this time! I would however, like to share how we spent his birthday night. I don't think I will EVER forget BUT just in case here goes!

We had plans to celebrate our friends birthday across town (St. Rose Pkwy approx. 45 min away) and needed to make a stop at fresh and easy for a school fundraiser first. Shopping was GREAT! Both boys were helpful, calm, and collected. The second we left the parking lot all hell broke loose! Charlie started screaming! Not just yelling, screaming! I really wasn't able to pull over and he continued to cry the entire 15 minutes it took to reach a well lit parking lot! Ok, so a diaper change later I'm optimistic about continuing on....Now I'm on the fwy and the screaming starts up again! OH but wait what's this? Now Jacob is crying too?! He is now upset by the noise and is hungry and tired and "why won't Charlie stop crying?" he asks.

My heart is breaking and my ears are about to pop! Remember I drive a small car where there is NO way to drown out the noise? I am frantically trying to figure out a way off the fwy and guess whats next? Yep, double SUV flip over/ fatality!!!!!!! OMG! A sea of red lights unfolds before us! Charlie did me a favor, my senses were on high alert and I was able to zoom across 3 lanes to the last exit available! The next well lit parking lot was that of the mall. 3o minutes, a feed, a diaper, and a desperate phone call apologizing, "we're not going to make it..."

Jacob has calmed down, Charlie is not happy about being back in the car seat but at least he's at a normal volume. Now the goal is, to just get home! What? Are you kidding me? The freeway in the opposite direction is now stopped too? 3 ambulances? Again I thank the hightened senses, and avoided getting onto the freeway and instead took the 35 minute street route home.

2hrs total on the road, fast food dinner, short shower, and boys in bed. I am still standing...scratch that WE are all still standing, but there was no cake.

*switch to traditional post*

We are so grateful to the Oppenheims for inviting us and hosting a wonderful thanksgiving! Highlights included yummy artichoke dip, sweet potato souffle' (Charlie's first food!) , and 2! beautiful apple pies! Oh, yes, of course my boys had a great time playing with their friends!
Great food, wonderful friends, and photos to smile about!

Yes, I know camping with a two month old is a crazy idea! It worked out beautifully though! The weather in Beaver, Utah was perfect and a heck of a lot better than 100+ degrees in Vegas! We had all the right gear and great friends to hang out with! Jacob was off playing in the woods around the campsite and Charlie just settled into his new carrier nicely! It was a great family trip!

Jacob started first grade at a new school, with a new teacher, and a chance with new friends! Our traditions for Back to School included a special breakfast (4 cereals mixed together in one bowl), Mom and Dad BOTH dropping off at school, special dessert (Hershey's mini) in lunchbox, and ice cream (Golden Spoon) after school! Jacob reported that the two things he learned today were about getting tally marks when you don't listen, and getting a note sent home from P.E., if you make the teacher mad by running on the blacktop. Hmmmmm....He also mentioned not getting to play with anyone during recess and not talking to anyone during lunch. Hmmmmm....He is, despite the above, looking forward to another day and he really likes his teacher. I guess recess was tough because of lots of older kids. I asked if he thought the 4's class was nervous to play with him last year and he said." No, because I always played with the little kids. Even Alex!" *sigh* It was a tough day and I think tougher for me to hear. I cuddled and kissed and let him beat me at Wii! Tomorrow will be better I said, I've got my fingers crossed!

For our last trip of summer before school starts, we headed for California to visit family and show off our Charlie! It was 4 days of traffic, family, cousins laughing, great mexican food, the beach, and fabulous 70 degree weather! Here are some favorite photos (there were so many!):