The Chronicles of Brownia: Getting Ready for Christmas! :D

Oh the fun time of year that is December! I have to say that as the boys get older it gets even crazier but it was also a lot of fun! Christmas parties and programs, decorations, baking, family and friends...I love this time of year! We were really looking forward to having a low key Christmas and then having Ryan's parents come for a visit at the end of our Christmas vacation (which also included a wonderful Branson trip)! It was also about this time that we got the boys school pictures back. Boys are getting big and they sure are cute!!!!

Jake in 1st Grade

AJ's Preschool picture from Santa Fe Day School! The school actually had a photographer come out and she got some adorable pictures!!! Fun to have something special as Jake went to Penny's a lot more growing up than AJ...so its the boys turn to catch up!

AJ...Mr GQ :)

When I ordered the pictures I was able to talk to the photographer a bit and she told me that AJ posed for this picture all by himself...that is our boy!

So the night before Jake heard that the trailer for the new Ninja Turtles movie was going to drop the next day. So this is how he came to the table...Ninja Turtles action figures, shirt and cup! What is he going to do when the movie actually comes out!?!?!? :)

Picking AJ up from school he often wants to play on the playground and on this day I let him. :) He absolutely loves this playground...and the school for that matter!

This is a very accurate picture of my two crazy boys.

We did not take our kids to see Santa when they were little...mostly wanted to avoid that meltdown. :) But this year Jake really wanted to get a picture with Santa and his school was offering them with re-takes (a genius idea I think) and so we let him. Works out really well considering that AJ will rarely get within 20 feet of anyone in costume :)

Any time Jake gets to spend with his best friend is the greatest!

AJ also had his Christmas program at school and they did a really good job! Always cute to see the little ones sing, dance, makes silly faces, pick their noses (yes AJ did this) etc. :) I think AJ was excited to stand next to his best buddy in class, he is the one to the left of AJ.

Very serious about ringing his bell during Jingle Bells

So sweet!

"Dear Santa, it wasn't me" Yeah, I don't believe this shirt any more than when Jake wore it :)

I loved this letter to Santa from AJ. AJ's teacher helped the kids write a letter to Santa and told them they could ask for three things. She told me that he was the only one in the class to use one request for someone else. He asked that his brother would get a penguin as Jake absolutely loves them. :) So sweet and I was so proud of my little boy. And yes, in case you are wondering...Santa did get the message and added a penguin to Jake's gift bag. :) (AJ also signed his name himself on this note)

Jake and his 1st grade teacher Mrs Foster at the class Christmas Party

I love this sweet little angel that AJ made at AWANA. His face, his handprints, and the body is made from the outline of his shoes. :)

My little Superman! Jake chose to wear his Superman t-shirt and then decided that he needed a belt and a cape...so my creative boy made them out of paper.

My adorable boys loved being on Christmas vacation and part of it was running fun errands with me. One of which was going to our favorite grocery store (Crest) where they could ride in the race car cart. :) Gave me a good workout too!

With time off school we were also able to put together a lunch with our favorite Kindergarten teacher and friend Mrs. Bovos :) So much fun getting 4 of the kids together with her from their class last year!

The 3 amigos :) Jake, Blake and Sadie :)

Our kiddos :)

Mrs. Bovos, a kindergarten friend, and 2 of her (hopeful) future students. :)

And then we had a huge project that has quietly been in the works for months. :) Towards the end of the year we were able to sell a rental in CA and with some of the money we made we were able to finally do our dream project on the house. Ever since we visited some friends in Texas we had dreamed of having a large covered patio where we could sit and listen to the rain come down, and have some added protection in the crazy Oklahoma hail. So here is a picture of the back of the house before we started part 1...concrete.