Christmas Day

We changed up our plans this year for Christmas and we left for Michigan on Christmas day instead of beforehand. Typically we are there and attending Christmas Eve Mass at the church Aaron grew up in.  Since Aaron had a decent amount of vacation between Christmas and New Year's, we decided to head up to Michigan after we woke up at our own house on Christmas day.

This worked out really well.  Aaron's mom doesn't usually have any plans for the actual day of Christmas because we are all in Michigan.  We always celebrate Christmas with Jean and Paul and all of our combined families in January.  So, it was nice to invite them down and know that they were doing something for the holiday on the day as well.

Christmas Eve day we did a few things around the house and enjoyed the company.   You may remember we try and make a family block each year for Christmas.  We haven't gotten around to making them the last few years with the move and such - but we made sure to do the same thing we did the years of Addy and Blake's first Christmas, which was to paint their toes on the block so they can have a little keepsake.

Doing Chase's block.  I love all the spectators...Blake's head cocked to watch and Addy and Paul watching so contently!

How cute is this hat that Jean made for Chase??!!!!!  ADORABLE!

We went to Christmas Eve mass at our church (which is the one I grew up in).  I hadn't been at that mass since I met Aaron, but it was nice to be there and hear some songs that I've only heard played at that church for mass and such.   My parents joined us for church and then following mass we had dinner at our house with my parents, Jean and Paul, as well as my sister Angela and her kids. Shannon was celebrating Christmas with her in-laws :) 

Our little poser!

The best family pic we got...even though it isn't so great!

 When we got out of church, there was a beautiful snow starting to fall.  LOVE.  It was so great driving home just through our little town - we cut through a neighborhood where you could see families gathering on Christmas Eve to celebrate....with that and the snowfall, it truly was such a peaceful feeling (I'm weird, I know!).

After we got the kids down, I went outside to just stand in the snow.  I wish I could have sat out there for a while - I loved how peaceful it was and with the glow of everyone's Christmas lights...perfect!

Our house on Christmas Eve with the snow coming down!

Jean and Paul stayed the night and got to enjoy the morning with us, they headed back up to the cities right before we took off for our long drive to Michigan!  It was a close call --- but all of us ended up on Santa's nice list this year :)

Waiting for daddy to get his "eyes" (contacts) in.  They are sitting at the top of the stairs waiting for the "okay" to come down and see if Santa came!

Some of Addy's presents were a Barbie house and real make-up from Santa.  Along with games, books, a puzzle, movie, some new boots, a Hello Kitty radio/CD player and a few other things (some of that from Santa, some from mom and dad!). 

Blake got a few different Superman/Spiderman things from Santa such as an activity book, a stuffed "Spidy", Superman sweatshirt and a Spiderman radio/CD player.  He also got books, games, a puzzle and a few other things like Addy did!

How cute are his PJ's??!  I love these "old man jammies"!

  Addy's big gift was a Barbie house as mentioned, and Blake and Chase's big gift was a new "truck" to ride around the neighborhood.  Santa thought that since the neighborhood boys always cruise the streets with their John Deere Gator, that the Anderson boys (and Addy...since she hangs with all the boys on the street!) could use this to keep up!!!!  Here's to hoping it provides years of entertainment!

Hanging in their new ride!

 Along with the truck, which Chase will be old enough to use before we know it...Chase also got a new hat, movie, some books, a name plate for his room and a few toys.

Chase likes his new gifts!

 A gift that was from me to the family was some Panther Gear.  None of us had any Pine Island Panther gear and since it was Addy's first year of school there, I thought that would be fun to have.  So, I ordered matching shirts and sweats for us!  They didn't have anything to order in Chase's size, so I had a t-shirt made that had a paw print on it and said "Future Panther" :)

We were "that" family and all wore our new comfy sweats and tee shirts on the drive up to Michigan!

May not be matching Christmas Jammies....but we have matching Panther Gear.  (Check out Addy's beautiful make-up...she dug right into her "real make-up" from Santa!)

After the picture above...we set off for our long road-trip to Michigan.  It worked out really well, but I think Aaron and I have already decided next year the road trip will be the day after for a few reasons.  1 --- there was nothing open to eat at besides gas stations which we forgot about.  We fed our kids cheese and crackers for supper and Aaron joked to them about their special Christmas meal :)  2 --- the kids did great about leaving, but they could've used some more time enjoying their new things, and 3 --- the house was left in a crazy mess since it had all the presents still all over so hopefully we'll have the day to get fully packed and organized so we can get up in the morning and hit the road early! 

It was a great Christmas day, even with the traveling :)

Meeting with Santa :)

We kept up our family tradition this year of going to meet Santa at Hiller's here in Rochester.  It is invite only for the customers...and we are never disappointed! 



 

They have a "toy shop" that Santa sits in, provide lunch/snacks, give a gift to each child, and have lots of things to do while you wait for Santa.  They give you a number, so you don't just have to wait in line for Santa.  While you are there, you can write letters to him, color pictures, decorate Christmas cookies, etc. 

 

Blake was checking out Santa from afar in this pic...he wasn't too sure what to think! 

Next in line!  Addy is staring in at him soooo seriously here.  I wish I knew what was goign through her head!

 Addy could NOT. WAIT. to meet Santa this year.  She got us up at 5:45 in the morning on that morning...asking when we got to leave to meet him.  She's so funny.  She was all about Christmas in every aspect this year....not just Santa but the true meaning of it all.

She knows that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and even made presents for him to put under our tree.  One of my favorite memories from this Christmas is when her and I were driving home one night and it was quiet and peaceful in the car.  All of a sudden Addy yelled out "JESUS"! ----- it took me so off guard I initially wanted to get mad wondering why she would have just yelled that, until I realized we had just driven by a house with a manger scene in the front yard.  She was excited to see Jesus!

That being said - she was very excited about Santa as well.  She told him she wanted a Barbie house and real make up.  Santa told her she was too pretty for real make up, so she truly thought that he wasn't going to give her that gift.  If you ask her now, that is probably her favorite thing she got from Santa this year --- only because she didn't expect it :) 

Addy and Santa!

 

Blake wasn't so sure what to think about Santa in the flesh.  He was a bit scared so wouldn't sit on his lap.  He would talk to him with Aaron holding him.  He told him that he wanted "superman" stuff...which for Blake, basically includes all heros - Spiderman, Ninja Turtles, etc!

The closest we could get Blake to Santa was with a high 5!

Chase got to hang with Santa as well, but my picture turned out blurry.  My mom has a better pic on her camera, and you leave the store with printed pictures of your visit with Santa, so I do have good ones for the books, just not for the blog!

My parents always come with to visit Santa every year, so we got this group shot of us with Santa.  Love all the smiles in this pic!

 

Face "painting" time!

Decorating Christmas cookies with grandma!

I shot this picture while Addy and Blake were decorating cookies.  I think Chase's smile says "Guys!  I just met Santa for the first time and he's pretty cool!"  If you are my friend on facebook...I'm pretty sure I posted this pic with that caption so it isn't new to you!

I am always truly impressed with how much they think of at Hiller's for their "Santa Day".  We always enjoy our morning excursion to meet Santa.  It's a good Christmas tradition for our family!

"The Tree" - Christmas '13

I wish I had gotten better pictures of our Christmas tree this year since it was the first one in our new home.  It sat perfectly in our window so that it was seen when you drive up the hill to our home.  Next year, there will likely be a deck in the way of that view, so this will probably be the only year it will be that noticeable from outside.  I wish I had taken a pic of that!

 

 We decorated the tree the weekend before Thanksgiving.  We typically end up doing it that weekend, because after that, there isn't much time and all of a sudden Christmas is here.  With 2 birthday celebrations in early December and Christmas celebrations starting mid-December, weekends are filled up throughout the entire month.   

 

Getting out the the Christmas Decor!

Addy got the exciting honors of doing the star this year!

Ornaments!

Chase had it really hard that day...decorating the tree tired him out :)

This picture is from Christmas morning before the kids came downstairs...with the goods from us and Santa as well!  It is the only pic I have of the tree in full view!

My Littlest Love

So yeah, when you are home by yourself, sometimes you have to take "selfies" with your newborn to get a picture of the 2 of you together...whatever works!

My littlest sidekick is such a sweetie...can't believe he is 8 weeks old today. A 2 month post will come soon, his appt. is 12/30 :)

Until then, here are a few pics...starting to smile in response to us, and of course, he still sleeps a lot!

Such a sweet, sweet boy!

Introducing Clyde

At the beginning of the holiday season, I didn't envision that an elf would join our family.  However, sometimes you have to let the magic in your kids' eyes lead the way.  After learning about different families' elves between friends, school, and daycare - Addy woke up 2 mornings in a row looking for an elf in our house.  

 

Sooooo, we decided that it must be because we haven't written letters to santa yet that an elf hasn't arrived, and set off to do that!  

 

Once we sent some letters to santa, a few nights later --- an elf magically appeared and was discovered while we were brushing our teeth at bedtime. 

I wish I would've had a camera --- the reaction from Addy was priceless.  She could barely breathe! 
As we were tucking her in, she rubbed her eyes and said "I am not sad, I just have tears because I am so happy that an elf arrived at our house!" 

We decided on the name Clyde.  Since then, for the most part, Clyde isn't too exciting...just goes from place to place.  Every once in a while he gets a bit creative and silly though :) 

Using a tree-shaped Christmas cookie as the seat of a swing and some Christmas ribbon as the chain :)

Trying to get close the action without risking getting touched by Mr. Blake...hiding under a glass

Poor clyde wasn't feeling good the other day, just like dad...so was resting with some Christmas tissue wrap as his pillow and mama's mitten as his bed :)

Mmmmm, candy is always good nutrition for an elf!

Sooo, we have happily invited Clyde to our home, and it has proven to be a fun addition to our Christmas traditions :)

Potty Training...Mom - 1, Blake - 0!

Beginning mid-November I started potty-training with Blake here at home.  Yeah -- super smart...newborn, sleep deprived mom taking on the challenge of potty training a BOY!  Addy was sooooo easy to train, that I honestly felt like this was my first time having to do the "training" thing. 

 

After him being in pull-ups for a few months with no happenings, I decided to go cold turkey.  The first week was a challenge...it was coming down to who was going to hold out...me or him.  He TOTALLY knew what he was doing.  We would be out of the house and he wouldnt' have an accident, but we would barely get in the door at home, and he would have an accident...so I knew he was purposely holding it until home.  He was showing other signs to show that his body was physically ready as well.

 

For both Addy and him, the early 3 year age has been when they have challenged me the most.  So, between him being at THAT age and potty training --- I had a week or so that I was a bit frustrated (not to mention, I had high hormones running through me since it had only been 3 weeks since Chase was born)!  Needless to say I debated giving up a couple of times, but thanks to pep talks from my sisters, I held on and ended up being the winner :)

 

Blake is soooo stubborn --- and I can safely say he gets this from his daddy.  I would text Aaron at work with the different accident shenanigans going on at home and how stubborn Blake was being.  Aaron apologized via text, admitting he gets this stubborn trait from him :)  DANG ANDERSON'S!

 

Beginning of his Potty Chart...excited to get stickers (but not excited enough to want to do it consistently!)

To make a long story short...one month and then some later and I think we have safely accomplished the task.  3 weeks ago he really wasn't having anymore accidents, but I still had to remind him to go.  However, in the past week he's turned a corner with that...and now pretty much initiates it when he has to go to the bathroom. 

 

YEAH BLAKE!

 

Potty Chart is Full :)  I seriously love this kids smile!

The only aftermath of the potty training is that Blake would be happiest running around in just his underware now (probably naked if I would let him)!  For example, right now he is just chilling and playing in his underware. Such a goofball. 

Sidenote - have you seen the adorable boxer briefs they make for these boys.  Super Cute!

I am proudly announcing that mommy won this battle, whoop whoop!!

Who does he look like?!!!!



We always get the question wondering who Chase looks like.  At first, I thought that he looked like Blake - but when I look at pictures of Blake at the same age...there are definitely similarities but I actually think he has more similarities with Addy.  They have the same pointed chin and expressions :)  

Chase

Addy

I think Chase has a different shape of eyes of both of them...but there is something about him that also looks like Blake, even though the pictures don't show it as much as in person!



Chase



Blake

Chase is his own little man looking like his own self...which is a good thing!  I can't wait to see what he turns into has he continues to grow.  When I look at these pictures of Addy and Blake, I wouldn't have imagined that they would've turned out looking as they do today!!