Teddy's Birthday and Alan's Blog Debut

For Ted's birthday we took a trip to Tilden Park to ride the steam train. Cameron and Jake love their cousin Alice. They all held hands to watch out for danger.

Here is the darling birthday boy. You don't get cuter than that!

Here is his proud father, my oldest brother Alan.

The train ride was really fun. As soon as it stopped Cameron and Jake asked if we could go again.

Alice was so happy she performed her two handed dance for all.

Happy Birthday Teddy!

Christmas Songs

Jake is really into Christmas songs lately. Last Sunday, the Primary kids got up to sing. During the chorus the kids sang, "Hosanna, hosanna, O let us gladly sing..." and Jake kept saying, "They said Santa. They did. I heard them. They said Santa. Those kids did that." I think he thought they were singing "Oh Santa" instead of "hosanna."

His favorite Christmas song is Jingle Bells, and he can sing the whole thing. If you sing it with him, you have to sing "O're the fields we go. Laughing all the way. HO HO HO," because that's what Santa says. He will stop the whole thing and not move on until you get that right. I love my silly Jake!

Christmas Party

Ben's whole extended family has a Christmas party every year with food and Santa. This year it was complete with yodeling and cow bell performers. We were lucky to be able to go. Can you see the excitement on Cameron's face when Santa walked in?

Can you see the disdain on Jake's face?

Cameron was very happy for his turn to sit on Santa's lap. While we were in Texas, James and Andrew showed Cameron how cool the Nintendo DS is and he's been asking for one ever since. He couldn't wait to tell Santa.

Santa: Now, what do you want for Christmas?
Cameron: A DS
Santa: A what?
Cameron: A DS
Santa: Say that again.
Cameron: A DS
Santa: Okay (He still didn't get it.)

Last year Cameron wanted an Ipod. Now this. What next year, an Iphone? Luckily, Santa is very smart and only gives age appropriate toys. He gave Cam a new Disney storybook, which he loved!

When it was Jake's turn to tell Santa he really wants a remote control airplane, he declined the opportunity. He wouldn't even go near him. You can still see the fear in his eyes when he's checking out the present he got (which I had to hand to him).

Tyler got a turn too, along with a new rattle. Thanks Santa!

That dear Santa even let us all jump in his sleigh together!

When the fun was all over, the boys got some giant candy canes as party favors. They were possibly the worst party favor ever for two and four year olds. What a sticky mess! They loved them, of course. It was a great party!

Asleep on the Stairs???

Ben and I were downstairs talking last night when we heard a bedroom door open and footsteps upstairs. We were expecting to hear some steps coming down to find us, but it got silent. We finished our conversation and about five minutes later, I headed upstairs to find out who it was and what they were up to. I thought for sure I would find Cameron doodling on a notepad in my room or rummaging through bathroom drawers. I started running up the stairs without turning on a light, and I almost stepped on him! I was so startled to find him there I almost screamed!

When Ben picked him up to take him back to bed he mumbled, "I needed some more water in my water bottle and I couldn't find you." What a crazy boy! (By the way, he has socks on his hands because he wears them to bed with Aquaphor when his hands get really dry.)

The Innkeeper

Cameron had a Joy School Christmas party tonight. Unfortunately the camera battery died and we only got two pictures. He was the innkeeper in the nativity story. They sang a few songs and it was quite cute.

I love the creative costumes, especially Caden's shepherd staff made out of PVC pipes. Gotta love it!