First Snow

We woke up this morning to a pleasant surprise....SNOW!!!!!  Everyone in the house was so excited!  Wilson and Michael jumped out of bed and proceeded to put on their snowsuits.  I had to bring out a Christmas present early, snowboots, so the boys would be extra cozy in the snow.  Soon they were out in the yard making snow angels, snowmen and throwing snowballs.  Our other little boys, Zurg and Buzz, had lots of fun in the white stuff too!  There is nothing sweeter than to experience the joy and wonder of the first snow with my little men! 

Yeah for Snow!

Suiting up!

Wilson making his first snow angel.

Teamwork!  Wilson and Michael working together to make their first snowman.  Zurg and Buzz were busy wrestling in the snow.

Michael with our snowman.

Wilson and Michael with Super Snowman!

Grove Park Inn

Sunday we headed up to the bitter cold of Asheville for a Cates Family get together. We traveled up with Memaw and Deedaa Cates and met Aunt Adair and Uncle Chris at Neo Cantina (used to be La Paz) for a yummy lunch. I love Asheville. While eating we enjoyed a group of carolers, an English Garland dance, and a fellow performing spinning plate tricks (I am sure their is a proper term for this pasttime but I haven't looked into it to see what it is). After our lunch we headed over to the Grove Park Inn to see the gingerbread houses. It was a beautiful time to be there with the snow swirling around the Inn all afternoon. I think it put us all in the Christmas mood!



Michael getting some tips on spinning plates.





And he did it!  Piece of cake.




Wilson's turn!




Perfect!




Sitting in the chairs by the biggest fireplace ever with Memaw and Deedaa Cates.




Great picture with Memaw and Deedaa and Aunt Adair and Uncle Chris.




Memaw and Deedaa trying to hold the boys back for one more picture.




Sitting in the window at Grove Park Inn.




Kisses!



Gingerbread Houses and Goodbye Kisses

Tonight was the night for the making of our Gingerbread House.  Wilson could hardly wait, however Michael was more interested in the Elf on the Shelf that arrived at our house last night.  Daddy put up the walls and then we took to the decorating.  It was lots of fun with lots of icing and candy eaten by all of us.

Once we finished our house, Memaw and Poppa Claus stopped by to see our Elf and to get one last goodbye hug and kiss from all of us before heading back to Florida tomorrow.  I already miss them and hope they will make it back home soon.  

Bryan putting up the walls while Michael and Wilson look on

 

So focused

Wilson trying to get the candy on just right

Michael trying to push the peppermint through the roof in order to annoy his brother :)

Zurg patiently waiting for one piece of candy to drop

Wilson and Michael with their Gingerbread House



My sweet little guys



Poppa and Memaw Claus with the boys.  Love this picture!

Goodbye kisses to last until they get back home

The Perfect Christmas Tree

We set out Saturday afternoon on a quest to find the perfect Christmas Tree. Just past Ginger Cake up 181 we found the sweetest little Christmas Tree Farm called B& H Farms. We found the perfect tree and while we waited for it to be cut, Wilson and Michael enjoyed some hot cocoa and popcorn, yummy!
It was so neat watching our little guys decorate the tree this year. They were so excited and so helpful. I do believe they did a fabulous job! Bryan and I both sat back and watched them do the work. I think we both realized this year that we were truely watching a memory take place. As the years pass and our little boys continue to grow, I know that I will hold these moments very close to my heart. Merry Christmas!

Let the tree hunting begin!

Michael and Wilson

Me and my guys in front of our tree!

Enjoying cocoa and popcorn

Wilson with his first ornament...

Michael putting his first ornament on, Optimus Prime!

The finished product!

Easter Festivities in Full Swing

Spring has sprung and Easter is on its way. This week we kicked off Easter week by finally decorating our Easter eggs! That was Sunday. I think we have approximately 6 left from the dozen we made due to constant handling and transporting through the house. I am starting to worry that maybe a few are hidden somewhere in one of the toy boxes and will probably be discovered in a few weeks.

Today, Wilson and Michael had their first Easter Egg Hunt at Martha's Park with all thier Bee Bee bus friends. It was a gorgeous morning and perfect for little ones to run around searching for eggs. I love this time of the year!!
Martha's Park before the egg hunt.

Michael and Wilson enjoying thier baskets of goodies!

I love these buses. The purple bus is where Wilson and Michael go for preschool. I know they are going to miss it next year!

My silly Michael wearing his basket as a hat!

Wilson decorating eggs with Daddy.

Michael coloring his egg.





Wilson is ready to decorate.

The New Man in My Life

This weekend we adopted a new puppy from the local animal shelter. He appears to be yellow lab mix. We got him as a playmate for Buzz, but little did I know that he would still my heart. I love this dog!!!!! He loves to sit in your lap and be petted. He only licks, he doesn't bite! He is definitely a keeper. Welcome to our home Zurg!!

Wilson chose the name for Zurg since Michael got to name Buzz. Here is Wilson cuddled up with Zurg, the total lap dog!
Emperor Zurg and Buzz Lightyear!

Instant friends, Zurg and Buzz!

Cabin Fever

Wow, today we just had to get out of the house. All this soupy, yucky, rainy, sleety, snowy weather has really made us stir crazy so Bryan and I packed the boys in the car and headed to the Catawba Science Center. It was a fun day and a first time visit for Bryan so the boys had fun giving Daddy the grand tour. Wilson and Michael had a little too much fun learning about the effects of air, but it is always a blast to see them hamming it up together. I love my boys!