Christmas

We had a wonderful Christmas and it was so much fun to watch Dillon and Jason open their gifts. This year my aunt and uncle from California were up for the week, the first Christmas in a very long time we've spent together. It was so wonderful to have them here, but some how I didn't manage to get them in one picture.

Dillon handing daddy the star to put on the top of the tree.
We stared Christmas Eve eve off by decorating cookies. I started decorating sugar cookies for my parents neighbors when I was in grade school and even though I've moved and they've moved neither one of us have moved far so they still get cookies! Now Dillon helps me decorate the cookies in between "accidentally" getting frosting on his fingers.
We also went down to the waterfront to go through the park that was all decorated. It was very cold, but pretty. The boys liked the lights and these were pretty much the only Christmas lights they saw this year. A few weeks ago we went out to look at lights one evening and about 10 minutes into the drive Dillon fell asleep, and I mean dead asleep! Jason on the other hand started screaming and did so until we were about a mile from home. So this year the drive was a bust, maybe it will go better next year!
Christmas morning started early, just like every other morning in our house! Dillon had fun looking in his stocking to see what Santa brought.
He got a new Cars hat.
Santa also brought him a police helmet that he was very excited about and fifty million twisty ties later got to try out.

Jason enjoyed his stocking too.

Guess he knows what to do with cups!!
The boys in their Christmas jammies.
Jason really enjoyed the bows and paper...no need to get him any toys!
Dillon was very excited about his new Cars sweatsuit. He is so funny!
So happy!
Looks like a tornado hit!
Now we were off to Gram and Papa's for round two. There were stockings at Grams too!
I took Dillon shopping for Christmas presents for people and basically let him decide what to get (within reason because he wanted to Papa earrings and I vetoed that!) While we were walking around the store all of a sudden Dillon says "I want to get uncle Craig that!" I had so idea what he was talking about, so I pushed the cart in the direction that he pointed trying to figure out what he was talking about. Halfway across the store was the Christmas stuff and I figured out it was something there that he wanted to get. I had no idea what it was so I wandered in and out of the Christmas stuff and finally came upon a table that Dillon had pointed to. He wanted to get uncle Craig a Nutcracker, but he didn't know what they were or what they were called but that is what uncle Craig had to have. Knowing that uncle Craig probably has absolutely no Christmas decorations and that this was a funny thing for Dillon to pick out for him in the cart it went! Uncle Craig thought it was funny and it was indeed his first Christmas decoration. Now we'll have to see if he puts it out next year!
Jason again not so excited about the presents; the box and my shoes were much more fun!




Dillon trying out his new tool set from uncle Craig.
When uncle Craig was little he had a metal John Deere tractor that he and I both loved to ride. We road that tractor until the tires were bare! I didn't realize (but knowing my parents I should have) that it had been put in the barn for future use. So this year was the year that it got spiffed up (complete with lots of new parts that you can still order some 25 years later) and was given to Dillon (and I'm sure Jason too) for Christmas this year. Dillon thought it was pretty neat and hopped right on.

We finished off the day with dinner at my aunt and uncles house. Dillon, exhausted from the week, feel asleep in the car on the way there! Needless to say he had a very fun day and the next two days took naps!

Jason with Gram and Great Grandma.

Another Dillonism

Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas. We had a fun time and are exhausted, so much so Dillon finally took a nap today. I was very lazy today and haven't gotten the pictures out of the camera yet but will post some in the next few days. But I just had to post one of Dillon's comments from today so I don't forget it.

He was giving us a pitch on why he should watch a movie that we were saying no to. But then he said "why don't I watch a movie while you cook dinner. You know I am not very good at waiting so watching a movie would be a good idea, don't you think?" (this was said with his head slightly tilted). Art and I were so surprised by what a good pitch it was we didn't even know what to say other than laugh. I'm telling you we are in so much trouble in about 12 years!

Santa Pictures

We went to see Santa at the mall on Friday. Dillon was in a great mood and excited to introduce Jason to Santa. He waited in line great and then when it was actually time to have the picture taken here is what he did. (I am in the picture because that was the only way he'd stand there - by me holding him. Don't think he was scared he was being a three year old!!)
Here is one that was taken right before the one above. Dillon didn't realize the picture was being taken and was actually smiling. As soon as he saw the flash go off he frowned; hence the picture above.
Jason thought Santa was very interesting and was happy as always.

House Builder

Dillon and I built gingerbread house the other day. I wasn't so ambitious as to make the gingerbread myself, but Costco had a really cute kit that came with everything! Dillon had lots of fun and is very proud of his creation.

Getting started
"Look I've got frosting on my finger!"
The house is built and ready for candy! It was so hard for him to wait several hours for the frosting to dry before decorating!
Decorating...or tasting
All done! (By the way his shirt says: "Dear Santa, I can explain!")

Someone Was Tired

Boys in Red

Art wore a red sweatshirt the other day and when helping Dillon get dresses I suggested he wear his too. Then Art got Jason dressed in a red shirt. They all looked so cute!
Jason tries to climb over everything...including people!

He's Standing!

It didn't take Jason long to figure out that he can pull himself up to standing. He did it last night for the first time. Of course I yelled excitedly which scared him and made him fall over, but he had a smile on his face because he was so proud of him self.

I want that toy....
And I'm going to get it....
Almost there....
Ah, got it!!!
But look I can reach all the way to the back of the chair!
Jason is crawling all over the place now and even tried to climb the stairs today....so got to get all the gate back out again!

Getting our Tree

We went out a week or so ago and got our Christmas tree. It was a beautiful but cold day. We went early on a week day and pretty much had the place to ourselves.

We pulled up to an spot to park got out and got all ready to look for our tree (which took a bit of time since it was cold and there were two kids). When we were ready to go we decided to take a family picture by the tree right next to the car since everyone was in a good mood. Little did we know that it would actually be tree that we got! I don't think that will ever happen again.
Dillon had fun in the Nobel house which he called "a little restaurant". He enjoyed his warm apple cider.
Jason enjoyed the warm house too.

We each took turns carrying Jason in the backpack carrier...we had to trade off as he is so heavy!
Dillon enjoyed his candy cane which is a must to end the trip.
The boys making sure daddy got the tree up correctly.
Dillon putting his new ornament up. It is a John Deere tractor since that was the theme for his birthday party his year.
Jason checked out the tree and thought the ornaments were interesting.

Video of Crawling

Here is a video of Jason crawling. Jason loves my Crocs and always goes right towards them when he sees them. So Dillon was being helpful and moved them out of the way, as well as anything else he didn't think Jason should touch.

8 Months

And Jason is finally crawling!!! After several months of trying he is finally putting one hand in front of the other! He started crawling on Saturday and today tried to pull up to the foot stool. He is definitely on the move now!


Haven't weighed him recently but a few weeks ago he was 25 pounds, so I know he is more than that now!

He is enjoying all the new foods he is getting to try and really likes any finger food.

He is sleeping better during the night and most nights doesn't wake up at all.

All is all he is a pretty happy laid back baby!
Dillon entertaining Jason with funny faces.