Red Hat

My boys discovered a fun little game today.  Jax shares his precious red hat with Miles and then proceeds to chase Miles around the house yelling "I want my red hat back!"  Miles loved this game and it provided lots of entertain for them and for my mom and me as we watched it.  Miles hardly ever keeps hats on his head, but you could tell he loved having his big brother's hat on.  I love watching the bond they are starting to really form. 

I mean seriously, this kid is pretty darn cute.

Owsley Christmas

Today all the Owsleys came over to celebrate Christmas.  This is our first Christmas without Gey which was hard.  She would have loved this gathering though and that made it very special.  I hosted for the first time and loved having everyone here, so did the boys.

We played, ate some great food (that I can't take credit for at all) and then let the little ones open presents before heading to bed.

I love dressing the boys in matching outfits. 

Apparently I get that trait from Gey as she did the same thing to my Uncles Larry and Pat when they were little.

Miles isn't feeling well and was so so tired.  He still had fun, but by this point it was pretty obvious he was ready for bed.

This was the first time most of us got to meet the newest Owsley, David.  Since his dad's name is David as well I think most of us started calling him Little Dave.  Hope the parents don't mind.

Jax was all about helping the baby open his presents.

When it was time for the boys to head to bed I got them all changed into their pjs and then let them say goodnight.  Jax went around and gave everyone a hug.

It might not be up there with the exit of the Von Trapp kids, but it sure was precious.

Gatherings like these are why I love the holidays, just taking time to slow down and visit with family.

It was great.

Dear God

Since I have been doing Jax's bedtime routine we have started doing a prayer.  I love that Jax already folds his hands when I tell him it is time to say our prayers.  Every night we thank God for Mommy, Daddy, Jax and Miles and usually grandparents as well.  Then I ask Jax what he is thankful for.  He sitll doesn't give answers to this question much, but tonight I got my first answer from him.  His response, "feet!" 

Alright kid, thank you God for our feet. Such a practical little guy.

KaLightoscope Christmas

Today's Christmas activity was to head to the Galt House hotel for their KaLightoscope Christmas exhibit.  It is am amazing lighted area with all these great decorations for the holidays.  The area with lighted displays was by far the coolest part.

 

After you walk (or run in our case) through all the lighted areas you get to go ride on Santa's sleigh, write a letter to Santa with you Christmas list, see a giant gingerbread house (that Jax tried to eat a piece of) and ride on a train (that Jax sat on, but then wanted off before they could start). This was us in front of the green screen.

 Link to see the sleigh ride.

The boys absolutely loved it and my mom might have liked it even more, especially because she got to see displays from the old Stewart's Department store that my Grandmother took her to at Christmas each year when she was a kid.

 

 We finished the outing off with some gingerbread cookies and that is what I call a good day.

Christmas Cookies

Day 11 of the Christmas Advent and we are baking Christmas cookies with YaYa and Aunt Kelsey!  My mom had some big ambitions for these cookies and I am pretty sure we slowed down the whole process substantially, but it was a lot of fun.  The boys helped a little and then ran around the rest of the time.  :)

Jax didn't quite get the concept of "stir in slowly" and opted to just dump the entire bag of coconut all at once. 

Miles just wanted to grab and handful and try it out for himself.

We left to come home for bedtime before all the cookies were done, but I expect a big box full of them to be over here tomorrow!

Spreading Christmas Cheer

Today's Christmas Advent activity was mailing Christmas cards!  Jax loved putting all the mail in the mailbox.  I think we might need to start sending letter more often, there is just something special about it.