I Still Love Him

Thought you should all be as blessed as I was this morning! This is Jon, fresh out of bed!

And this is Jon about an hour later ready to leave for church. Wow!! What a difference a shower and shave make!

Setting Up the Basketball Goal

Who knew putting one of these together would take about 3 hours! Poor Jon (who was not wearing his coat) was frozen by the time he finished! Braden was excited though. He even called a friend to come over and shoot for a little while. Brrrr!

Christmas Eve

Our stockings from Texas under the tree!!! I love opening this box on Christmas Eve!!

A few other gifts from Texas under the tree. I love the Sonic mints on Braden's gift! Very festive!

Braden diving in to his Texas stocking.

An orange! You could smell them as soon as I opened the box. The orange in the stockings is what I get most excited about each year. I'm not sure why. I just really look forward to the orange in my stocking..... (and Jon's too because he usually lets me have his!)

Jon reading the card from his parents.

Opening his gift card.

Braden opening a gift from Grandma and Grandpa.

HUGlights!

Checking out all the yummy marshmallows flavors.

And the stockings were hung on the tree with care..... ha!ha!ha!

Braden enjoying some hot chocolate with peppermint marshmallows!

The boys with their cool lights and......... hot chocolate with marshmallows!

Braden trying out his light.

I think he's got it.

Jon enjoying a cup of cocoa and a book with the help of his new light.

Christmas Morning 1

Merry CHRISTmas!!
Braden was so funny. He slept until 8:30. (I love that he never wakes up early on Christmas!) I was awake, but still in bed. He got up and headed downstairs where his stocking is always waiting for him on the couch. He is allowed to open that while he waits for us to get up and around. I always love to listen to him opening is stocking and "oooo" and "ah."
Today: silence.... well, except for the TV.
I went downstairs and he was just laying on the couch watching cartoons. Apparently he forgot that he is allowed to open his stocking. He was just patently waiting for us to wake up. (I wonder how long he would have waited.)

The big gift, from my dad, that was waiting for him this morning.

He was pretty excited. Except that it rained today, and for some reason, Dad wouldn't set it up in the rain.

Dad getting gifts out from under the tree. Notice his pants!

Braden with his loot.

Awesome! Fishing poles from Grandma and G'pa! (He was super excited.) He thinks fishing is greatness!

Christmas Morning 2

Opening his tackle box from Phil & Haley.

Wonder what Grandma & Grandpa got Daddy for Christmas....(sorry. not sure why it got flipped.)

New shoes!!

"They're long, and baggy!" .... shorts from Grandma & G'pa.

"HUNTER BROWN!!!"

A new CD player clock radio (with MP3 outlet and nature sounds) from Mom & Dad. I was told it was very "fancy."

Daddy got a meat tenderizer in his stocking. Dallas was looking for chocolate.

Super pumped! He's been wanting one for a long time.

Dallas got a doggy dinner in her stocking. Yum!

Turkish Delight is apparently the greatest thing in the world! Braden LOVES it! He even told me tonight that the only thing he wants for his birthday is a 10 lb. bag of Turkish Delight.

Trying on Daddy's shoes. They're still a little big.

He looks like a giant in a little house in this one.

For some reason, he tried on all Jon's stuff, plus his hat and shorts, but not his new Florida tee.

Jon talking to his mommy on the phone.

And me with the greatest gift EVER!! (Braden was supposed to tell me before he took the picture, but didn't) You may count 24 Rocher chocolates.... but then you'd be ignoring the second layer!! I'm gonna be sooooooooooo fat after those are gone!

Movie Conversation

We watched The Nativity Story tonight. Finally! After Mary gave birth to Jesus, I wondered aloud whether Jesus slept through the night right away -- being that he was perfect.
A few minutes later, Braden says,

"I wonder if Jesus farted."

Really Braden? Really?

Extras

Braden was so proud of the sandwich he made.... with TONS of meat.... that he asked me to take a picture! (He eats so much. Maybe everyone should just send grocery gift cards for Christmas.)

And a shot of our tree, the day after Thanksgiving. This is also the day I found the silver beads that I bought last year for the tree. Oh well! Maybe I'll get them on next Christmas!

Gingerbread Houses

Before we begin: 3 pre-fab houses and year-old candy. (I bought these last winter for $1-2 each!)

Braden getting started on his house.

Jon mixing the frosting for my house.

Our finished products.....

My house! Notice the snow-covered tree on the side of the house!

Jon's house! He was very proud of the holly berries on the roof.

And Braden's house! "After the blizzard," he said.

They are now proudly displayed in the living room.