Todd's 33rd Birthday

Grandpa Albert came over to watch the boys so Todd and I could go out, we actually went out on Saturday, December 26th not his actual birthday the 27th.
The birthday boy.
We met up with a bunch of friends at the bowling alley. Todd and Laura.
Seth and Rachelle (who came home from San Diego for the holidays).
Jeromy and T
Rachelle and Annette
Bert, Jeromy, Keith, Dean, Holly and Laura.
After bowling we all went up to Talarico's for pizza and more drinks. Happy Birthday Todd!

Merry Christmas 2009!

The boys coming downstairs on Christmas morning.

We always open our stockings in the family room first. Here the boys are checking out their loot that Santa brought.

Jaden received the present that he asked Santa for: Toy Story Mania for the wii. I got a Sounder's jersey from Todd and the boys:) Modeling my new jersey and scarf!
Bryson is super excited for his new track! Todd hiding behind one of his presents.
Jaden showing his new Batman track.
Todd got me a gorgeous necklace that I absolutely LOVE! It has our names and anniversary as well as the boys names and birthdates with a pearl in the center (my birthstone). After opening all the presents we spent the rest of the morning hanging out, playing and putting together toys. Bryson wanted to open up his glow stick right away! Jaden checking out some new games for the wii. That evening all of our family came over for Christmas dinner. We enjoyed delicious food, more presents, and spending time with family.



Bryson and I wrapped up in my new electric blanket.

Christmas pictures in our matching pajamas. Merry Christmas 2009!

. . . and to all a good night.

Tuesday, December 22nd:
The week before Christmas there were still some outings that I had been wanting to take the kids to. I also started watching Miss Kailee again for a few days as her school was on break as well. It was so nice to have her with us again:) On the Tuesday before Christmas we went to see the lights at the Bellevue Botanical Garden. It was a madhouse to get there and find parking and we were somewhat in a rush as we also were planning on meeting Kailee's mom JoAnn for dinner and then watch the drummer boys.

I had never been to the Bellevue Botanical Garden before and the lights were incredibly beautiful! Something we will definitely do again, just not three days before Christmas!

Miss Kailee
Mr. Goofy Face!
Jaden (my other goofball) and Kailee in front of a Christmas Tree

We made it to Bellevue Square a few minutes before the drummer boys came out and it was even more crowded than the garden, you could barely walk through the sidewalk!
Todd and I ended up getting split up, I had Kailee and Jaden and Todd had Bryson. We actually found a great spot in front of one of the drummer boys and the kids had a blast dancing to the music. They really do put on a great show!
Afterwards, we grabbed dinner with JoAnn at Red Robin. Kailee and Jaden posed for some pictures after dinner.

Wednesday, December 23rd:

This day we did a little gift exchange with the kids. I couldn't get a "normal" picture with them! Actually looking at these, I'm glad as I like the silly pictures so much!

Thursday, December 24th:

Christmas Eve morning we did a lot of baking, we made Christmas cookies and apple pies.

The boys were at great ages for this project this year, they had so much fun cutting out their cookies.
We also decorated the gingerbread house which I had bought a few weeks before.
The finished product.
That evening we continued our tradition and went to my dad's for Christmas Eve dinner.

Jaden and Bryson always love to play with Grandpa's train, this year it even had presents on it for them!



After dinner we opened presents. The boys were super excited to get their capes that Nana made them (I helped by making the patches)! Jaden's has Batman on one side and a "J" with a lightening bolt on the other side:)
Jaden prefers the Batman side though.
Jaden with his Transformer also from Nana.
Bryson's cape is Superman (his favorite superhero) and on the other side is Mighty B!
Silly boy with Nana
Nana and Grandpa Albert with the superheroes and Kula!
Afterwards, we went to Todd's grandparent's house for their annual Christmas Eve get-together. Unfortunately, we have no pictures of that as neither of us brought our cameras! The kids had fun and got more toys and money:)

The boys came home and put out cookies for Santa,
and carrots for the reindeer.

Then we read "Twas the Night Before Christmas" right before bedtime. I just love them in these Christmas jammies and slippers!
Todd and I (Santa's helpers)
The stockings were hung by the chimney with care. . .
in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there.
Our enormously large Christmas tree this year (about 15 feet), the angel even started to lean a little at the top!
Merry Christmas to all. . . and to all a good night.