Bonus Graham Day

Mr Graham has been a bit under the weather so we got to snuggle him 

for a bonus morning Thursday!  And we found out just how

many things a baby will touch when there hasn't been any baby proofing!  

He loved our tree and the train underneath.  Of course, I let him touch whatever he wanted.

Shhh, don't tell his mama.  She'll never know (wink).

Oh, wait, she is one of my 5 loyal readers!!!

Joe tried to impress Graham with his juggling skills.

He impressed us with his (basketball) shooter form.

Skills.

A mid morning nap was just what he needed - no crib, no problem.

It would be best to just hold him anyway! Babies don't keep.

And this guy was even willing to help take down ornaments while I rocked Graham.

There were books to be read.

And Christmas games to be played.

I know someday soon it will be hard to remember you fitting 

in our arms quite like this, so for now we should enjoy this memory that Joe captured!

I love this rocker that my mom used and I used with my boys, it simply does the trick.

We have a Teen.

 You see, when you see Sam I know you see this guy.

But, I see this guy.

And when he is proud of something he has done he still looks our way for

approval and gives us that sweet sheepish grin just like the time he was proud

of his 1st preschool ornament in this picture.

It make my heart sing with joy seeing him become this 13th year old boy.

He has done so many things that have made us proud to call him our son.

We keep telling him to keep being him.

He has grown into a tall 5'10'' 13 year old boy who loves pizza, school, basketball, golf, tennis, IU Hoosiers but is beginning to look at PU because he loves engineering, Jr Youth Group, YouTube, Friends, PS4, his phone and his bedroom, oh and Mt Dew - in no particular order.  

He is reserved around others, but if he knows you can make you smile like no other.

His voice is deep, his words are deliberate, and he is fiercely loyal.

He has worked hard this year in school and earned all A's this 9 weeks.

Our prayer is that he continues to seek God's plan for his life and that 

we are guided to be just the parents he needs. 

Since he shares that stage on Christmas day, he still continues to LOVE sharing his day with Jesus,

we allow him to run the show on when the gifts and singing will be!

Shortly after we were done with Christmas gifts, the big birthday box was nagging at him and he asked to open them before breakfast!

A new PS4 game and play station plus - fun times ahead.

A new golf cart!  Aha - he had no idea. It was a surprise for certain.

  It will come in handy next golf season.

He requested pancakes and DH whipped some together.  

That sweet kind smile.

And he also got to talk to Isa, this made his day for certain.  

Excellent birthday memories!

Our Christmas Memories at Home

Sam and I were up and ready for the other two guys.

But, I was a little selfish and didn't rush waking them up.

I was enjoying my new 13 year old for a bit to myself.

I love his developing personality. 

And about 30 minutes later the other two joined us and our Christmas day was in full swing.

I was throwing it back with my coffee cup to the days when Dan worked as and accountant at Martin Yale, his first job after college.  The thing I remember most about that job was calling there one day (before cell phones) and getting his boss on the other line -

 I asked for Danny and he chuckled out loud. 

He was called Dan at that job, he was no longer Danny.

First up were gifts from each brother, Sam chose new batting gloves for Joe.

He was very happy with them.

And Joe chose a new table top Football/Golf game for Sam.

Love their generous spirits.

Sam has a new fascination with OCP.  He is obsessed. 

Joe's big gift was a new EV3 robot.  Mama searched high and low for an option to fit our budget!  Ebay for the win and he hasn't quit programming since.

 This was the point when Sam asked if I was going to take a picture of every gift.

Maybe, son, maybe.

We chose to gift Sam and deposit into his savings account for his gift.

He was very happy to be saving towards his first car or possibly college.

Joe has always had an obsession with original Lays - he does not intended to share these - ha!

He also opened one piece jams and hasn't taken them off since. Well, he let me wash them.

DH let the boys open his gift of a classic NES system.

Look at that mess. Ha!

The NES was plug and play and the boys were playing before breakfast.

Donkey Kong and Mario Bros, Dr Mario, Pac Man - they have really enjoyed it.

Homemade B and G

Chocolate milk AND sunny D - it MUST be a holiday.

Boys these boys sure do bless us and it was fun enjoy Christmas Day with them.  

More Christmas Celebrations

Our Christmas eve started with mom at work where I got this ornament 

from my partner that matched my shirt exactly!

And when I got home at 3 (not too bad) Sam helped me make 

our traditional taco salad.  He was very good at it.

We were headed to the Walker family gathering at my Aunt and Uncle's house.

Cousin Cole had created these cups for a project at school and everyone was able to choose one.

Very neat project!

We enjoyed a meal carryed in by all and then heard the Christmas Story read by Jaelyn.

It was Graham's second Christmas but his first to join everyone, last year he was still in the hospital!

Guess who was the star of the show?

We stayed and played cards a little later and enjoyed being with family.

And after I filled the stockings and prepared for Christmas morn

I enjoyed the view of the room lit by Christmas lights.  

I love the still and calm that is felt on Christmas eve.

The preparation for the birth of Jesus the next day.

It reminds of the song Silent Night and Mary Did you Know?

And later on Christmas Day we enjoyed our Graber family!

Grandma had her famous (and addictive) punch and spiced pecans. Yum!

More cards for this crew

And our birthday boy showing Grandma's raspberry cheesecake.

We enjoyed that after our Italian meal!

The boys received a ping pong table from Grandma and Grandpa

and got new paddles to open Christmas day.

There was a rousing bingo game too - and I was VERY successful, not sure why everyone was so annoyed by that, tee hee. They even took my card away!

It was dirty bingo so I didn't get to keep those chocolates or that Marathon card.

I did end up with 2 air fresheners though!

Fun memories to wrap up our Christmas celebrations.  

Love traditions!