Christmas 2013

Christmas 2012

Epiphany

Carter, the child who typically asks Santa for random stuff such as "a Santa doll" or generic things like "a fun game", has had an epiphany, here, at 4pm on Christmas Eve. He is churning out new letters to Santa, asking for (so far): a drum set, a violin, a phone and an iPad.


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Oops

We let him watch A Christmas Story.




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Holiday Performances

Experience the boys' holiday performances in under 40 seconds. Carter's is a performance of his after school music program at our town's annual marshmallow roast and Santa visit. He is on the far left in the back row. John is is front and center at his daycare performance.

Christmas

John had a pretty fussy day, but Carter had a great Christmas. Except that he was really disappointed that it didn't snow like it did last year. Whenever Carter opened any present (really, pretty much anything), he exclaimed "It's my favorite thing! It's just what I wanted!" I feel very grateful for the combination of his sweet disposition and his age.

Santa loot!

Santa came through with the light sabers (one for each of us that are old enough to wield one)

Hilarious gift from Patrick and Kirstin

Fighting over Donna's dip

The kids table
(at the other Fowlkes' temporary apartment where we had delicious dinner!)

Christmas Eve

Carter watches his personal video from Santa (4+ times in a row) 

At lunch after watching The Muppets

Anna in her Christmas Pageant costume (shortly before deciding she didn't want to be in the pageant)

Carter in his Christmas Pageant costume (shortly before deciding he didn't want to be in the pageant).
He did, however, carry the nativity Jesus into the church during the processional. A job he did well, but after which he declared "I hate that job!". He doesn't care to have people looking at him. 

In their Christmas PJs!

With his letter for Santa, accompanied by peppermint bark!

Tree Decorating

 We're enjoying this year when we can put ornaments wherever we want on the tree. Next year, and possibly the year after, we'll be back to only plastic, non-breakable ornaments on the bottom of the tree!

Marshmallow Roast

Last week, our town had it's annual bonfire and marshmallow roast. Given that it nearly hit 70 degrees that day, it was a roast in more ways than one.

The bonfire was approximately 12ft by 6ft, which would have felt great on a freezing night.

It was hard to get close enough to the fire to roast marshmallows. The kids were all trying to  get low so that the cinder blocks would provide some protection from the heat. 

Santa visited the bonfire! Carter asked for a Star Wars toy, and Santa suggested perhaps he would bring him a light saber...

NOW it's the Season

As soon as thanksgiving dinner was over, we broke out the Christmas pajamas! Because now is the appropriate time to start celebrating the Christmas season. Not back in early October when the retailers started. You may remember the pjs that John is wearing.

Christmas 2010

Christmas morning before the chaos. As Patrick said:

Respect this mantle! Eight hand sewn, sequined stockings anywhere from 5 months to 45 years old. All hung (with care) on the same mantle for the first time ever.

Carter's big present this year was a desk, complete with office supplies. When he saw the clip magnets on his hutch, the first thing he did was RUN to his room and get a picture of Mama Helen and Daddy Phil to clip on his desk!

Carter helps Eavan with her Santa gifts

Everyone enjoyed their gifts!



Even if Eavan mostly wanted to chew hers...

Carter liked to help everyone unwrap their presents

Right around the time we went over to celebrate with the other Fowlkes family, it started to SNOW!

Just look at this hefty accumulation we had the next day!

The Fowlkes

The out-laws!