Gearing up for Christmas

Christmas came with a whole new level of excitement this year.  It started with decorating our Christmas tree a few days after Thanksgiving.  Noah was suddenly bursting with Christmas cheer and saying things like, "Mom, this is going to be the best Christmas ever!" and "I just LOVE putting ornaments on the tree with you Mom! Let's do some more!"  Luke followed Noah's lead and became excited about all of the good things the Christmas season brings.

We LOVE, thanks to our city police and fire departments, that Santa comes down our street.  He and Mrs. Claus bring candy canes for all of the kids and are escorted by police cars and fire trucks, all with their sirens wailing.  It really is a little bit magical.

The boys loved looking at Christmas lights again this year. 

Clearly they were too busy to pay any attention to their photographer.

Noah said his favorite was the Snoopy house, but he really did love running from house to house checking out all of the different decorations.

 Grandma invited us over again this year to make gingerbread houses. 

 Luke was equally interested in decorating his house and eating as much frosting as possible.

Just a few days before Christmas we gathered at Nana's house to frost sugar cookies, including the ones we'd be leaving out for Santa.

Once again, Luke was a champion frosting eater.

 Nate and I attended his annual Christmas party for work at the Sutter Club. 

It's always a lovely, fun party.  But, it's also so perfect to have a nice evening before that wicked busy season is upon us.  And, oh, it is so close to being upon us!

Now that Christmas has passed, I can report that there's some major post Christmas sadness going on from our boys.  I can't blame them.  This Christmas was one to be remembered: so many fun memories, the music (Luke sings a ridiculously cute 'Mary Did You Know'), events, and presents.  It's been fantastic, largely because of two little boys who have been over the top excited about everything.  They both literally cried as I packed up our decorations.  Noah proclaimed, "Mom, you're ruining Christmas!" and Luke screamed, "No, Mommy! Don't take dat twee down!"   That was two days ago, and they're still talking about how they want the decorations back up.