Two.

Happy birthday to our little Christmas bundle of joy. We still cannot believe you were born on Christmas Eve. We will try our best every year to make sure your birthday is as special as you are. You are so stubborn and have a temper like we have never seen. Just like your brother you drive us nuts sometimes. We love you and are so lucky to have you as our son.

Happy Birthday Easton!

Santa's Footprints.

I found this super cool idea from Pinterest. One of my friends had re-pinned it and I re-pinned from her:) I think that's how I say that. We are so going to do it this. It seems super easy to do, I cannot wait. I am not sure what Cameron is going to think about it. Easton won't really understand this year. Next year will be a lot of fun because they both will be into it and know about Santa.  As long as they keep believing in Santa we will play along and try to make it real for them. I remember when I was little and believing in Santa. I even thought one year I saw Rudolph's nose glowing in the sky, I was like 5 years old. I know a few people who leave carrots out for the reindeer. I think we will do that also, if we remember:)

Source: notsoidlehands.blogspot.com via Jessica on Pinterest

We don't have carpet in our living room so I am hoping the cat and the dog leave it alone. Our cat can get crazy sometimes so hopefully he doesn't screw it up.

So yesterday we went to see Santa.

And as you can see there is only one child sitting with Santa. We didn't even try to put Easton on his lap. He started covering his face and doing his little annoying fake whine before we even got in line, then once we started to get in line they both kinda backed up. I picked up Easton and he was kicking and wanted down so we decided to not even try it. Cameron was really hesitant and wouldn't go and even started to cry a little once he got on Santa's lap. He was all excited before hand then once it was time to go he froze and wanted nothing to do with him. I don't know what it is. So many kids hate going to see Santa but when we talk about him and tell them stories they get all excited.

I think today I will bake some cookies. I made up the dough the other day and every time I open the refrigerator I see it staring at me. Tomorrow I have some last minute things to get. A couple things for the boys and some stuff at the grocery store for the desserts I am making to take with us to my MIL on Christmas. My plan is to have everything done and not have to run to the store Saturday for any last minute items. Saturday is also Easton's birthday. I think instead of baking a cake I will just buy a small one. I already have enough baking to do so that will just make it a little easier on me. Even though they already had their party they still get a cake on their actual birthday. Lots to do and think about. Plus we have some other things going that is just adding to the chaos and stress.

I doubt I will get around to posting anything the next few days so I hope everyone has a great rest of the week and a very Merry Christmas.

Colds, Appointments, and Glow Sticks.

For the past couple weeks I have been dealing with a stuffy/runny nose and hacking up the green stuff. Well last week the boys started to get it and now we all have little coughs. Cameron seems to be coughing more and was up at 2:30 this morning coughing. Poor little dude. We have been so lucky with our boys not really getting sick. They get the occasional runny/stuffy nose and a mild fever every once in awhile but nothing too serious. I think I got infected first and passed it on to the boys. I think I probably got it from Wacky Tacky, that place is crawling with germs and especially this time of year. I just hope Ryan stays healthy, we have lots going on the next couple of weeks and cannot afford for him to get sick.

It's so sad and cute. Cameron wakes up in the morning and tells me he is just a little sick. He still doesn't blow his nose very well yet so his poor little lip was getting red and raw from rubbing the snot away. It was getting better and went away but I noticed it reappearing last night.

Yesterday both Boys had their yearly check ups and that means shots. Easton got out of there with only one shot {flu shot} but poor Cameron had to get four shots. My Grandma came with me to help out because Ryan was at work and I could see her face as I was holding Cameron while the nurse shot him up, she was cringing with a "ouch" look on her face. It's always so sad when your babies get shots. Especially when they are old enough to know what is actually going on.

The rest of the day he couldn't do anything because he got shots. He couldn't take off his own shirt, give hugs, pull down his pants to go to the bathroom, and a number of other things as well. I guess his arms were probably sore but he is such a drama queen;)
Both the boys checked out perfect at the their appointments. We will have to go back in a few months because Cameron wouldn't cooperate and take the eye test. He can be very shy and timid sometimes but always warms up after a few minutes. We will take Dad with us next time:) They both are very big for their age and of course Easton is like in the 100 percentile for his weight, he has been since he was born.  He weighed in at 37.5 lbs and he will be turning two on Saturday and Cameron weighed in at 42 lbs.
Then later on last night Easton broke open a glow stick and got some in his eye. Ryan had met up with some friends to watch Monday Night football so I did my very best to rinse out his eye by myself. By this time it was 7 pm so it was bedtime and he was practically falling asleep while I was trying to rinse it out. I know it was burning his eye, poor guy. I felt so bad. The warning on the package said it won't cause eye damage but can cause some discomfort......ya think! Every time he did try to open his eye he would start crying.

I think today I will finally make up some cookie dough so we can make some cookies within the next couple of days. Tomorrow we are going to see Santa, that should be interesting. I am keeping my fingers crossed we don't have a repeat of last year or a repeat of what happened with the Easter Bunny.

And then tonight we finally get a little a break and are going out on a dinner date with some friends. It has been a long time. Ryan informed me the other day that anytime we have to pickup the kids after an outing it's not really a date. I think he really thinks anytime we have to pick them up or come home to them it's not a date at all but I think otherwise. Anytime we get to do something just us and without them I call it a date. Regardless of what tonight is, it will be so nice to go out and have an adult conversation and eat a peaceful meal with some good friends before it gets too crazy from Christmas. It's been awhile since we have gone out with them so it will be nice to catch up and chat.

Four.

Happy Birthday to our sweet boy! You are full of energy, crazy, and drive us nuts sometimes but we love you so much and can't believe you are already 4!

Happy Birthday Cameron!

Wacky Tacky.

A couple weekends ago we had the boys' birthday party at Wacky Tacky. Its this great jungle gym type of place for the kids. They absolutely love it there. So this year we decided to have their party there. We were super impressed the way they had things going. Everything went smooth and was very organized. They had 3 parties going at once and each party just rotated in and out of the different areas so your party was the only party in a certain area. Sometimes when we go to just play we can be there up to like 5 hours! Lots and lots to do here.

We like to have their party the first weekend of December since both their birthdays are so close to Christmas. Cameron's is the 17th and Easton's the 24th. It was so nice to have the party at a place like this because they did all the set up and clean up. It did feel kinda weird not being able to decorate and set up things but oh my was it so much easier.

Little Miss Autumn {My cousins little girl}

Easton and Dad climbing up the super duper fast slide.

This is another slide they loved.

This is the super duper fast slide. It was so fast! I didn't go down it but all the adults that went down said he was hecka fast. Easton didn't have a problem with it and in fact he loved it but poor Cameron hit his tailbone or something and started to cry a little, he got over it fairly quickly.

See.....he loved it!

Kayla

 This Cameron hurting himself on the super duper fast slide.

 My Uncle Stephen with Autum { Uncle's Granddaughter} and Easton.

Everytime we come here to play this is Cameron's favorite. They have these little air gun thingys that shoot foamy balls. Then there is this thing in the middle and you fill it up with balls and hit the button and they all shoot up in the air. The kids love this area.

Easton was getting so mad because he couldn't climb over this, he kept falling off as it turned. It was pretty funny to watch.

It's impossible sometimes to get them to look at me.

And finally they both are looking at me:)

Cameron was trying to block Easton's mouth because Easton was trying to blow out the candles before we were done singing.

I wanted to get a picture of all the little kids on this chair but there was no way that was going to happen.

Well at least we are looking at the camera. I am pretty sure we got one with all of us looking at the camera.

We purchased this little slide show disc they made for us but for whatever reason I couldn't get it to download so I just took some of the pictures  from the slide show and included them with the pictures I took. So sorry for the picture overload.

There is so much at this place but there were a couple areas where everyone stayed and played the most. I can't wait to take the kids back but that probably won't happen until after the holidays and school is back in. This place can get crazy around this time of year. And especially now it's been crazy cold here for us. But usually if you can wait until about noon to go it calms down a little bit and it's not so crazy. One down side to these kind of places is that they are germ infested. I think this is probably where we all got our little runny/stuffy noses. Poor Cameron's upper lip is red and chapped from rubbing the snot away. It's still stuffy today but doesn't seem to be as runny. 

And since our video camera took a dump on us in January Ryan took some short clips with our little point and shoot camera. Here are a couple.



Who knows maybe we will have another birthday party at Wacky Tacky next year:) And Cameron is already telling us he wants a Monster Jam party.

Christmas Card.

We have been getting the photo greeting cards for Christmas for a few years now. Before we had kids we put our cute little puppy dog on it but now we usually do a family picture. Well this year it was slim pickings. We had a couple good pictures but they were taken like 6 months ago and I wanted a more current picture.

So yesterday when Ryan saw the picture I ended up choosing he was like WTF? You couldn't find a better picture?! He said....I am holding a plastic beer cup and your hair is everywhere.
I don't think it's that bad. Everyone has a good smile but me so it just goes along with the wild hair. Next year I am hoping to get a picture of the kids in front of the Christmas Tree. I tried that last year but it didn't work out so good.

So what kind of Christmas Card do you send out?

Hello!

So once again it's been almost 2 weeks since my last post. I am like the worlds worst blogger. I haven't even been on the computer to catch up on my most favorite blogs....sorry ladies:(
I am hoping to sit down tomorrow and Tuesday and catch up on all that's been going with my peeps. I seriously need to know your blogging secrets. When do you find time? I seriously cannot even sit at the computer longer than like a minute before a certain little someone is trying to climb up on the chair with me.....so annoying! And the little stinker isn't really taking naps anymore so I have zero time to myself during the day to do anything. By the time they are both in bed I am exhausted and just want to relax. I cannot even imagine what it's going to be like with 3 little ones.

We have lots going on in our household. Just between birthdays and Christmas alone we have lots to do and when you start adding in other crap it makes for a very stressful time.

One thing we started this year is The Elf on the Shelf, it seems to be very popular. Cameron still hasn't named the little elf, I call him Mr. Elf. Maybe he will have a name next year.
I am having so much fun thinking of and finding new places for Mr.Elf. One day we were busy on the go and Cameron forgot to look for him so he stayed in the same spot 2 days in a row....whoopsie! But it's so cute hearing him talk about the elf and Santa. I remember what it was like to believe in Santa.

Warm Artichoke Dip.

Here is a super delicious dip you have to try. It's quick and easy. This is the dip I took over to Cynthia's for Pie Day. Thanks to my BIL and SIL I have a new dip.

Spread out evenly, I used a 1 1/2 quart dish.  

Artichoke Dip

1 block of cream cheese
Medium size jar or can of Artichoke hearts quartered {probably the size of a soup can} more or less if you want.
small can of diced green chiles
2 heaping scoops of mayonnaise
garlic salt to taste
Three cheese blend {we use the Raley's brand that comes in a tub, maybe 6 oz.}

Mix everything together and sprinkle with shredded Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes then turn on the broiler for 5 minutes to melt and brown cheese on top.

You can serve this dip with slices of sourdough bread, tortilla chips, or any type of crackers. It's so yummy when it comes straight from the oven. Usually if you make right before it stays pretty warm in the dish for awhile.

You must try this one out. It's so good, you won't be disappointed. My BIL and SIL bring it to all our family functions. I am not sure where they got it from. Give it a try and let me know what you think:) Please let me know if you have any questions. I know sometimes my descriptions can be a little vague.