Christmas Even (part 2) and Christmas morning

more from Christmas Eve

Connor loves his new Dragon Master books. 

Before bed Connor set out a plate of cookies and carrots for Santa and his reindeer.   Grandma and Grandpa spent the night, so they could watch the boys open presents on Christmas day.

Kaiden got this truck that can actually pull Connor across the room in a wagon!  We finally decided to get Connor a video game system, but we went with the Wii, so he has to be on his feet moving to play.  Although Jason set it up in the basement (which is suppose to be the boys play room) after Christmas and it never gets played now.  They bring the toys they want to play with upstairs to the living room.  They hardly ever play in the basement, unless they have friends over.  I keep trying to tell Jason the kids want to play close to us and not alone in the basement, but he doesn't get it.  Maybe when they are older they will enjoy having their own space in the basement.  Our basement family room is huge and Jason recently installed a projection screen for TV and the Wii. 

Christmas with Kortus'

We had Christmas with my parents and brother at our house again this year, except we were missing Madi.  She had to work at the car wash.  Staci came over to visit and have dinner with us too.

Connor is such a sweet and caring kid.  He puts a lot of thought into what he gets everyone.  This year he bought Grandpa a rubix cube, because he likes challenging puzzles, another puzzle game, sudoku games, and a new watch.  Grandma got a new salad tong and chip clips, which she needed both.  We bought Ryan the entire Dragon Master's book series.  Connor loves these books and we heard Ryan is now hooked too.  Alivia and Madi both got gift cards, which they requested.  After dinner and presents we played the game Laura introduced us to last year... you play with 3-4 decks of cards.  You flip a card over on the deck and if you have that card in your hand then you get to either pick a prize from the table or steal someone else's prize from their lap... but you have to remember and keep track of what each person is holding in their lap under the table.  We have a blast playing this game and hope to make it a yearly tradition now.

holiday fun

Chippy came back to play hide-n-seek with us again this year.  The boys (including Jason) love to wake up and hunt for Chippy's hiding spot. The holidays are always a creative, fun time of year.  The boys and I made some decorations for the tree.

Mr. Bossy pants telling me not to take his picture

Jason and I refused to get video game systems because we see too many kids obsessed with sitting in front of the TV playing mindless games, but Connor learned about games from his friends at school and begs us to play games on Jason's old cell phone or the ipad.  Occasionally we let him play.  His favorite is a ninja game where you jump obstacles.

Kaiden has this obsession with lining his cars/trucks up in a row.  He's a very organized kid.  He likes things to go back to their correct spot.

Connor's 2nd grade music program

OK Corral

Connor is next to his best friend, TeJon