Christmas at the Payne's ~ 12-25-11

After we opened present at our home on Christmas morning, we went over the the Payne's to spend Christmas Day.

Cameron cheesing in front of the tree.

Both boys smiling at the same time, quite a feat.

Braydon snagging a chocolate candy before lunch!

Divvying up presents and finding our real estate in the living room.

Braydon helping Daddy open a present.

Cameron opening his Leap Pad, or as we call it his Ipad, like Daddy's.

Cameron telling Nana "thank you" for his Ipad.

Papa's gift to himself. You thought I was going to say his gift to Cameron didn't you? A race track set.

Daddy's gift to the boys, a RC car.

All decorated up for Christmas.

We also celebrated Gary's 60th birthday. I thought he might need a pill container for all those pills he might begin taking these days.

Gary trying out his "equipment" for his upcoming trip to China. I would pay money to see him like this on the airplane!

After a great day of food, fellowship, and gifts, we called the day fantastic!

Thank you Jesus for being born and dying on the cross for us to have everlasting life.

A fun Christmas morning ~ 12-25-11

Our tradition continued of having Christmas morning at our house. I'm sure there will come a day when we won't have the fun of Christmas morning at our house, but for now while the boys are still little we will enjoy it.

 What Santa brought to Cameron and Braydon.

 Braydon received a Texans hoodie, foam baseball bat and ball (to hopefully keep from hurting Cameron with the plastic bat), and a piggy bank.

 Cameron received the cowboy boots he asked Santa for, Texans hoodie, and a piggy bank.

 Cameron's reaction when walking into the living room on Christmas morning.

 So excited and trying on his cowboy boots.

 Daddy helping him try on his hoodie.

 Cameron checking out his piggy bank with an eye on his other loot.

 Checking out his new Cars nightlight that was in his stocking.

Excited for his Gummy savers. As a kid growing up I got life saver books as a gift. It has been fun to continue the tradition with the boys. Maybe in a few years we can switch to actual life savers.

 Cameron was dressed and ready before Braydon even got out of bed.

Cameron decided to start divvying up presents for us to open before heading out to the
Payne's.

 Braydon checking out the Christmas loot.

 He found the bat!

 Looking at his Texans hoodie.

 Cameron opening his race car track from Mr. Gullo.

 Braydon figuring out what the bat is for.

" Ooooh, paper on presents."

 Braydon enjoying an apple out of his stocking.

 This is what happens when Cameron gets the camera to take pictures. Usually he is pretty good about taking pictures, but not so much this morning. Perhaps the excited got the best of him.

Christmas Eve and Traditions ~ 12-24-11

For the past few years we have made Christmas cookies on Christmas Eve or Christmas depending on the happenings of who is coming in when. Cameron has a blast and the rest of us might just enjoy it as well. Nana has started making the dough ahead of time and refrigerating it so it is ready to roll out, bake and decorate!

 Cameron rolling out some dough.

 Braydon rolling out some dough.

 Both boys enjoying themselves and making a mess, er I mean having a blast.

 Using the cookie cutters to punch out some yummy cookies.

 Unfortunately, Nana and I put the cookies too close together and they turned out ONE BIG BLOB!

 Braydon deciding which sprinkles to use.

 Cameron decorating with some brown sprinkles.

 After cookies, Cameron got some wrestling time with uncle Matthew. Braydon was not sure he wanted in on the action.

 Braydon decided to chill with dad and try to hand over the remote to mom. What a boy!

 The boys got 1 present to open on Christmas Eve this year. We had not permitted this in the past.

Uncle Mark and Cameron helping Braydon open their presents. 

One of the present was from Nana and the other present was from Christa and Matthew. The really funny thing is both presents were a type of remote control car. Thankfully one was a police car and the other was a ambulance. Mother and son ESP or something going on there.

Upon getting home we had to find just the right place to put Santa's cookies and milk.

 Cameron SO excited to put out a cookie for Santa.

 We put Santa's cookie on the chair.

 But then thought that we better put it in the fireplace where Bishop wouldn't be tempted to eat it before Santa came for his visit. Plus the cookie and milk needed to be in the same spot and the chair probably wasn't the best place for the milk.

 Braydon checking out where the cookie and milk is waiting for Santa.

Braydon with the reindeer food to put on the driveway for Santa's reindeer.