Christmas 2008

We had an absolutely wonderful Christmas season this year. We celebrated at several family Christmas parties, and the boys really had fun being a part of the group.

It is amazing the difference a year can make. As a family we were all so relaxed this year and really able to go with the flow and enjoy everything.

Of course, the boys were spoiled by all the people who love them. It is so neat to see them learn how to operate the new toys and figure out different ways to play with them all. It is also of note that they pretty much are playing with everything together and then they move on to the next thing, together. I know next year will be different with a six/seven month old scooting around, so I am enjoying this time.

Discovering the Christmas morning loot.


Mommy loves all the books Santa brought, and that the boys love to read them.


Trying to play with everything at once.


A giant box from Uncle Matthew and Aunt Elaine in Japan.


Yea!, for giant fluffy dogs.


Posing so Uncle Matthew and Aunt Elaine can see how happy we are.


Helping Daddy build his rubber band airplane (and maybe you don't let your kids sit on top of the tables, but hey, don't judge).


Walker making sure Daddy is doing it right.


Working as a team.



Walker and Dandy playing with Grin's Polar Express train.

The Perfect Visit with Santa

The boys made the trip to see Santa this morning. The trip went perfectly. They both sat happily in Santa's lap and seemed genuinely excited by the whole thing. Walker did get a little shy and only spoke to Santa in a very soft voice. He did have a lot to say, just no one could hear it. Eli just smiled and enjoyed the moment.

Jason and I were excited that it went so well and I know we will cherish this memory for years to come.

Finally Enjoying the Christmas Train

All the boys' patience paid off when the train was up and running. They made sure to watch closely as the train made each pass around the track.








Nothing like laying down to get an up close and clear view.






Walker learning how to be the engineer.




He is pretty good at it now. The only problem is keeping his little brother out of his way. Although, that is a problem in a lot of situations around here.

Christmas Train Set-Up

After enjoying a wonderful dinner that Grammy and Grin had brought over, it was finally time to put together the Christmas train.

First we had to get it out of the box.






Walker had a lovely conversation with the engine and Santa on the back of the engine while the majority of the track was put together.


Helping Grin with the final piece of track.




Getting the cars on the track.




The whole process went pretty smoothly and quickly (which was important by this point). Thanks so much to Grin for helping Jason and the boys get the train just right!

The Christmas Train Determination

Sunday afternoon Jason made the amazing accomplishment of clearing out the garage and getting all the Christmas decorations out of the attic. That was intended to be the completion of the day's activities, but Walker had other ideas. He spotted the box with the Christmas train, and that was it. The train was going to go up Sunday night, no matter what.

First we told him we had to move our big chair to make room for the Christmas tree. So, he hauled a giant cushion to the play room/office.

Then, we told him we had to get the tree up first. So, he drug the top part of the tree through the garage into the kitchen. (I know, I know, fake tree; but it sure is nice that it takes all of 12 minutes to go from attic to lights on)

By now it was dinner time, so we told him he had to get a good dinner before we could put the train together. He promptly sat down at the table and started shouting, "Mommy, cook me a healthy dinner!"

I think if we had told him he had to rake the yard to put up the Christmas train, he would have figured out how to do it.

During this whole process Walker waffled between complete determination to get the job done, and extreme whiny toddler frustration that he was having to wait. It was pitiful and kind of funny all at the same time.

Cough, Cough, Runny Nose

The boys have a had a cold the past few days. They have handled it pretty well, but sometimes they have just needed a break to sit down and be still.



Their new Aunt Elaine made them these adorable fire truck blankets last Christmas. Walker uses his all the time, but Eli has been to small for his. Well, I pulled them both out and they snuggled right it, and looked pretty precious all warm and cozy.

Pops the Tickle Monster

A couple of weeks ago Pops came over to watch the boys while I went to Bible study. He got right to tickling the boys until they could hardly breath. It brought back so many childhood memories of my own. Of course, they did manage to make it out without any bumps or bruises. I can't say I was a always so lucky. :)

Gross words that begin with "B"

One morning last week Walker had something in his mouth. He had been talking about a "buggie" that he was chasing down around the back door, so I had immediate suspicions. I panic and ask him what is in his mouth.

His response, "b...b...buggers."

The crazy thing, my first reaction was not the extreme disgust you are probably all feeling right now, it was relief that he had not eat some unidentified bug. Of course, then we dealt with the problem at hand and had a lesson on blowing our nose. But, I still felt that was a better outcome than eating a bug.

The thing is, I think it takes a boy mom to appreciate this story. They are constantly into something and the outcome is almost always unexpected. I really want a boymom T-shirt, but I should probably wait until January, to make sure boys still have a corner on the market around here. All you boy moms out there ought to check out the link. We deserve special recognition of what it takes to be a boy mom!

A Visit from the Greats!

A couple of weeks ago Jason's grandparents, Memaw and Dandy, made a special trip to visit us. The boys had so much fun and were worn out when they left.

Dandy showed Walker how to use the fire truck like a crane.


Memaw indulged Eli's desire to read book after book.


Memaw brought Halloween cupcakes that the boys LOVED.


Eli put the decorative hat right on his head. He knew just where it was supposed to go, and it was precious.


We were so happy for the visit and can't wait to see them again!

Post-Halloween Interviews

Here are a couple of videos of the boys right after they went trick-or-treating. It is the night in their own words, just too precious not to share.

Fall Festival

Last Sunday our neighborhood had a fall festival. My dad and Jayne came over to go with the boys and to celebrate my dad's birthday.

The fireman and giraffe had a Pops driven wagon ride to the festival.


Walker got a tractor ride (okay I know it is a lawnmower, but the kids thought it was pretty cool).


Eli was the most precious giraffe there.


Eli got very excited when Grandma Jayne came. He even ran out in front of the "tractor."


Walker did great at bobbing for apples, and then eating his apple. Right up until the trick-or-treat part, and then I ended up with a half eaten apple in my hand.


I surprised dad by signing his birthday card from "The Five McCay's" to share our big baby news with him.




It was a wonderful Sunday afternoon. Everyone had a good time and I am glad Pops and Grandma Jayne were able to come over and see the boys in their more than adorable costumes.

Happy Halloween

Here is a picture to get you through the weekend. There will be lots more to come next week. Happy Halloween all!

1, 2, 3

1. January 21, 2006

2. March 23, 2007

3. And coming in June 2009

Because Everyone Gets a Turn

I just love to see these boys play together.


Eli did get more of a turn later on, but Walker didn't have any pants on at the time (potty training and all), so I thought better of it and didn't pull the video camera back out.

Toddler Phrase of the Morning

Walker decided he was ready to go somewhere early this morning.

We are planning on going to the park, but it needs to warm up a bit.

He brought me my shoes and told me we need to "get ready to go."

I told him it was still too cool outside and we needed to wait for it to warm up.

Walker's Response : "The sun is shiny and it is warm outside. It's ridiculous. It is warm outside."

"It's ridiculous," is his new phrase. I'm not saying who, but someone in this house does use the word ridiculous and it isn't me, and it isn't the one who is limited to two-syllable words.

Nothing escapes Walker. What cracks me up the most is that he uses the phrase in the right situations. A little reminder to be very careful what we say around our little tape recorder.

Choo Choo, Off to the Pumpkin Patch

Last Saturday we made our trip to the pumpkin patch, by way of a train ride. The local train museum sets up a pumpkin patch about half way down their track so you get to ride a real train to the pumpkin patch. Of course, this is a huge hit for our boys.

Grammy and Grin took us and Uncle Matt, Aunt Ally, Hannah and Leah were able to come too! Last year Matt and Allyson tried to come, but something about the girls only being a few weeks old made it not work out. It was great to have all the cousins out there together this year.



On the Train




The tractor ride at the pumpkin patch


Picking Pumpkins








After the train ride we all went to Cracker Barrel for lunch, and that even went well! We were so pleased with all the kids attitudes after a busy morning and afternoon.