Arnold Articles: Christmas Cheer

Our Christmas was full of Holiday Cheer! As we do every year, we spent Christmas Eve with my family by going to church and celebrating together afterward. This is always one of my favorite nights of the year! It's so fun to get together with all of the family, watching the children's excitement in anticipation of Santa's arrival and enjoying all of my favorite foods- dips, appetizers, cookies, candy and other munchies. In fact, we were having so much fun that I forgot to take any pictures! I didn't think of it until we were getting ready to leave, which at that point the boys were already changed into their jammies for the drive home. Everyone looked very nice though... We were all dressed up for the Christmas service, and the boys had on their matching black vest with a striped tie outfits that they wore for our fall family pictures. They looked adorable!

When we came home that night, Hudson prepared for Santa by decorating some yummy cookies for him. He left these with a glass of milk waiting for his arrival...

Hudson was very generous with the sprinkles!

We were SO EXCITED to watch Hudson on Christmas morning, since this is his first year to really understand what's going on. This year, Christmas was also extra special since it was Luke's first one! Santa brought Hudson and Luke a super cool tent, which they have been spending much of their time since. They also got some puzzles, personalized luggage, a vacuum like Mommy's, and each of them got their own guitar. Hudson also received books for his Tag Junior, an Elmo outfit, some fun new cups, several Disney cars, and the truck he was asking for! Luke got some sippy cups, a teddy bear and some new pacis. Luke was very excited about his new pacis! This is what he played with all morning, trading each one out in his mouth. This was too cute to watch! Hudson was, of course, excited about his new truck, cars, guitar and the tent. We always like to note the item that he runs to first, which was what we guessed... the Truck! Christmas morning was filled with lots of fun memories... including Mommy and her boys wearing matching jammies!

I see you, Daddy!

So Much Fun!

I love my boys!

Hudson loading his new truck with all of his new cars.

Rockin' out his new guitar!

After enjoying our Santa gifts, we joined my family for breakfast- egg souffle and homemade cinnamon rolls, followed by our gift exchange. Opa and Memee gave Hudson a train set and Luke an adorable horse play center. They also gave each of them some fun books. My parents gave Matthew and I some money (which is always fun to get) and A CRUISE!!! We are taking our trip next Feb with my family, and I can't wait! That afternoon, we joined some of my family (the Sawyers) over at my cousin's house for Christmas dinner. We always have so much fun with them, and Hudson had a blast playing with his friends and all their new toys. Also, Matthew played poker with all the guys and won... cha-ching!

Hudson and Ty playing trucks.

Luke enjoyed his time with the family.

Luke and his cousin, Will (my brother's new boy)

Will

Luke and I

Hudson was pretty much refusing to take pictures with Matthew and I at this point, so we didn't get a family one. It was getting late on Christmas night, and after two full/busy days, pictures were out of the question for that grouchy boy. I couldn't resist taking one of him throwing his fit on the floor... This is what too much fun and not enough sleep can do to a 2-year old boy!

However, Opa came to the rescue! Hudson would let him hold him for a couple shots.

My family and our boys

Opa and Memee with their boys

Today, my parents came over to help set up Hudson's new train set. This is such a hit! Hudson played with it all afternoon and evening. It has so much to do to keep him entertained and creative!

Luke watching his big brother play!

Luke's new horse, Ryan, from Opa and Memee.

He's almost tall enough to sit on it!

This is fun!

I also wanted to share a couple pitures from earlier this month that I haven't posted yet...

Hudson decorating the tree. All of the ornaments were concentrated in the same spot at the bottom of the tree when he decorated it. We told him how pretty it was when he finished, but once he went to bed that evening, Mommy spread them out some!