The magic of Christmas morning

through our child's eyes

where the boys waited while cameras were set up downstairs

first glimpse (he knows something is up, but doesn't know what)

the troops coming downstairs on christmas morning

santa and his elves were busy on christmas eve

                                                                          lucas was the first to wake up
                                                                                          

a big hit, hasn't put this guitar down since ;)

loved watching the train!

all the early morning activity

Christmas takes on a new meaning when you have children. It was so fun to watch Caleb enjoy unwrapping his gifts and the excitement of my family as they watched :) Lucas loved all the action too!

It all began on Christmas eve

We drove down Christmas eve in the morning. My mom hosts Christmas eve every year. We ate tons of pasta, and let the boys stay up way past bedtime, then gave them their matching pjs to wear before bed that night. My favorite part of the night was watching Caleb next to cousin Jeffrey. He was enthralled with Jeffrey's guitar. The other highlight of the night was listening to my aunt Joey sing 'Santa Baby' with her hubby, my uncle neil. He played the guitar, she sang. Fun times. Growing up we always listened to Neil and Jeffrey sing while they played. My nani always chimmed in (couldn't carry a tune). Joey loves singing ( but like her mom, my nani, can't carry a tune! So Neil gave her singing lessons, how cute is that?) She sang to everyone Christmas eve. It was pretty cute!

where Caleb sat perched next to cousin Jeffrey, while Jeffrey played

my aunt joey and uncle neil performing 'santa baby'

i didn't take many pictures that night, it was a full house, but the fun was all in this room at this moment ;)

Later that night, Santa and his elves were busy....to be continued ;)

And we're back

From a week of fun!

                                                                        Lucas and auntie jenny at the americana

lots and lots of kisses

my two sweet boys

 the magic of christmas morning

                Photography by jennifer michele (my amazing sis!) I'll be uploading some more pics soon!



We had a glorious vacation down south with my family. Christmas was magical and New Years was a blast. It has been three years since we've been down for New Years and so it was a real treat to celebrate with my sisters. My mom made a special birthday brunch (Pitzals included!)for me before we left on Sunday and yesterday we spent the day home as a family, just the four of us again. It was a week's worth of alone time with my hubby, sister bonding (and bickering) just like the good ol' days, family dinners with everyone, close quarters and lots of estrogen in the house (poor dave and dad at least it was technically 4 boys living with 4 girls, although it didn't feel that way!) I forgot how hormonal and dramatic us girls can be when we all get together! Lots of loving on the boys. Caleb was pretty much Nani and Papa's little man all week, while Lucas was cuddled with and held all week by his aunties. Let's just say mom and dad had a very nice and MUCH NEEDED break. It was a wonderful week (even with the drama of my crazy family) and yesterday was a little hard settling back in. I'm doing better today. Just the boys and I, getting back in the routine of things....we won't be alone for long though :) More family coming up later this week and next. We are so grateful to have such supportive families! And I can't wait to post some pictures up later this week...or next :) I've been on a blog vacation as well and it feels kinda good :) taking a break from the daily to do's of life has been so refreshing for my soul! A week of relaxing on naps, bedtimes, cleaning, and laundry, and everything that comes with running a home was forgotten about as we just enjoyed hanging out. It was just what we all needed. Happy Tuesday :)

Merry Christmas!

From our home, to yours....

cards are on their way...going to be a little late this year :) but we have two cute excuses right?

And now that Christmas is just around the corner, I'm ready for some Christmas carols, some cookies and milk, wrapping of gifts, stockings, midnight mass, Christmas songs sung at church, time with family and friends, and oh so much more!


Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house
Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care,
In hopes that St Nicholas soon would be there.

The children were nestled all snug in their beds,
While visions of sugar-plums danced in their heads.
And mamma in her ‘kerchief, and I in my cap,
Had just settled our brains for a long winter’s nap.

Wishing everyone a very merry Christmas and a blessed New Year.

A couple videos of the boys

One is of Caleb talking on the 'phone' with his eddie figurine. He finds a lot of random objects to talk on the phone with. He has a couple toy phones, but pretty much anything will work when the urge to talk hits him :) It cracks me up because he loves talking on not just his play phones, but also to family. He requests to call people through the day pretty much whenever he sees my phone :)

The other video is of Lucas. He was cracking up everytime I tickled him so I grabbed the camera. Once the camera was rolling he got a little distracted of course! Staring at the light. But he was still laughing a little bit. I love his laugh. He cracks up a lot. Sweet belly laughs that warm my heart. I don't remember Caleb laughing this much until he was about 6 months or so. Anyway, I just wanted to capture a couple moments with my boys.

Heart Squeeze

Caleb and Lucas,
I love you two more than you'll ever know. Always and forever. My sweet boys.
Love, Mama

Burnt out?

Little bit over here...or maybe just tired. I freaked out this am thinking I was prego because I've been so tired lately...but I don't think that's the case. Maybe just tending to a toddler and babe and the busy bustle of the holidays. Caleb's been hot and cold. The usual...tantrums...melt downs....not so bad or worse than the norm, but tiring still. Lucas keeps tricking us :) He's done a couple 10 hr sleep stretches at night! Two nights in a row actually, on the weekend and when we had help around. But then, last night, up every three hours and a super short afternoon nap today. It's been two years of sleep sagas so you'd think I would be used to the sometimes-inconsistent sleep by now right? Nope! I'm a girl who likes her beauty sleep and when I don't get it...well, I get a lil grumpy. But I can't complain too much. Lucas is so happy when he is awake and so mellow during the day that I don't mind. These days pass so quickly. I already get so sappy about him not being a newborn anymore! I really could cry just thinking about how fast it is going...tear.  Anyway. Caleb's been super sweet lately with Lucas. He sings to him all the time "Lukie Lukie!" He loves chatting with him when Lucas wakes up. He rubs his head and just lays next to him whenever. Even though his melt downs drain me completely, Caleb is at such a fun age. He pretty much narrates his entire day to us. From the time he wakes up "awake! awake! light, light'" to the time he goes to bed, he is constantly talking. He's at the point where we have to watch what we say because he picks up on a lot of things we don't remember saying. For example, whenever Lucas cries Caleb says, "don't cry lukie, don't cry" it cracks me up. But I don't think Dave or I have ever told Lucas not to cry...we just say oh Lucas is crying let's help him..." My favorite is Caleb's constant Thank yous and no thank you's. Sometimes he'll be so upset and after he calms down he'll hold my hand and say 'tank you mama' Do they come much sweeter? So, even though I'm in a state of
constant exhaustion, it is worth it. Totally worth it for these two little guys.

Sometimes I feel like just throwing myself over the couch and calling it a day. Caleb's in a major stage of jumping and climbing...maybe that was what he was trying to do here? Not entirely sure...

We had our Happy Birthday Jesus Party tonight with my bible study gals. All the kids were there. It was a lot of fun. I got all teary eyed when the children sang the Happy Birthday song to Jesus. Their sweet little voices filled the room. It was truly precious! (Can you tell Caleb looks a bit tired? The result of a very short nap this afternoon)

Caleb helped decorate the tree last night, he was pretty excited this morning to find the decorations still there! Every so often through the day he goes over and takes one down...(maybe by Christmas we'll be back down to just lights  :)

And my sweetness.

Just some Tuesday ramblings :) Counting down till hubby is on vacation and in the mean time, eenjoying  my klove Christmas station online in the evenings and when I cook dinner with Caleb in the afternoons. I love the advent season and all the beautiful Christmas songs at church. I hope everyone has a blessed week before Christmas!