Christmas at Grandma Teresa's

Since we were going to Tucson for Christmas, we spent a few days before celebrating with Teresa.  The boys love slumber parties at Grandma's because they throw all of her stuffed animals on the sleeping bags and have a massive camp out

We thought we would be able to wait a day or so to have Christmas but the boys saw all the presents and were ready to tear them open the next morning.  So we just let them go at it.

Teresa put on some fun Christmas music (Jingle Bells by Barbara Steisand is a MUST) and we had a grand ole time watching the boys get excited over each gift.  Trev was probably most excited to be twins with Grandma in their matching Santa hats.

Well...he was pretty stoked when he got his Darth Vader pajamas with the slippers and the light.  That was the one item he had on the top of his list.

Ryden got the Minion version.

Teresa does stockings for everyone, including Molly Boo.  Well Molly kept whining and sniffing and huddling around her stocking.  Jason figured she wanted a bone that she could smell in the stocking so he took it out.  Nope...she wanted the small tennis ball that was in the toe of the stocking.  How she knew, we have no idea.  She is a professional ball sniffer outer. 

Dice for Ry to practice his addition.

Dice for Darth Vader too.

Group shot.

Trev enjoying his new Pj's, doggie, and Star Wars pillow.

He also got this cute little electronic mouse which is the closest thing he will get to having a real mouse.

"No one will throw my ball?" -Boo

Her ball was under this pile of wrapping paper and she spent about 20 minutes trying to dig it out and shredding everything to pieces in the meantime.

A quick PJ wardrobe change and a game of Monopoly Jr.

We got dressed and headed to Stone Brewery for some lunch.  The boys were both hot messes from not enough sleep and too much excitement.  Nothing that a brownie sundae wouldn't cure.  Notice the little tear on Trev's face..

After the sugar intake, Trev was a mad man...but in much better spirits.

Trying to get a good picture with the boys proved to be a bit difficult.

 Ry humored us

The background look at trying to get Trevin to sit still for a few seconds...

 And this is what we got....

 Grandma and the boys....

"Snow" at the Grove

Another tradition we have started with the Smith girls...going to The Grove to see the pretend snow.  The Grove is just a magical place during the holiday's so we just love visiting!  Lights, trees, decorations everywhere!

We usually check out the scenery by the fountain area and then head to get a quick dinner.

We eat dinner and then head back to the giant Christmas Tree.  But first, we have to stop off at Dylan's Candy Store and I let the boys pick out a small treasure.  Ryden always get a non-candy item.  Can you guess what Trev gets?

Look at the cute friends by the best looking Christmas Tree around...

 Olivia and Ryden discussing some major topics.

Finally, it was time for snow!  The kids started dancing around in the street to the Christmas music and holding their tongues out.  

It was really cute to see Olivia and Ryden dancing up a storm.  I got a great video of them but too bad I just limit this blog to pictures.

 Trevin was so into the snow for a few minutes.  Then he realized it was actually soap bubbles and went and hid under the awning as to avoid tasting the stuff.

 Tessa was really over it as well.

 I caught the big kids in a cute moment.  Who knows what they were talking about but they are the best of friends.  I sure do love this tradition of ours.  Until next year.

Gingerbread houses

Jason went to New York the beginning of December and instead of bringing back some silly toy for the boys, he promised he would buy a high tech gingerbread house and build it with them when he got back.  I was in charge of getting the house...poor Trevin.  After we picked it up, he so desperately wanted to make it.  It was torture having it just sit on the counter while we waited for Dada to get off work.

Finally, it was gingerbread house making time!

At first, they were so careful to put a tiny dab of frosting and place a piece of candy on the house.

 And then, Trevin was oh so careful to sneak a few pieces into his mouth.

 It was taking forever to put each piece on, so I jumped on Ryden's side and Dada assisted Trevin.

 Did I mention how much candy and little Christmas figures this house came with??

Almost finished.  Ry really committed to his selfies with the gingerbread house.

 A few final touches...

 Such a fun project.  The kids loved it!  Not so sure how much their stomach's liked it after all the sugar intake!