Life with Jack & Zach: Christmas 2010

Steve and I found this past Christmas to be somewhat bittersweet for many different reasons. To begin, we are so behind in sending out Xmas cards and gifts. Trust me when I say we have so many of our friends and family in our thoughts, but the past several months have left us feeling very stressed as we try to get ready to move into our house, meeting some tight deadlines not to mention packing. We have a couple more weeks to go and then we can begin to enjoy having a house again and resume to some sort of normalcy. To our family and friends in Chicago, we missed you this holiday season! Warm wishes to all.

The boys woke almost around 7:30 Christmas morning. We settled into our morning routine before present time. Jack was so cute in that he makes his way over to his rocker and drinks his milk, Zach follows as soon as he is ready. I of course had to take a picture of the tree with the gifts and they did well patienly waiting for Mommy. In any event, we let them rip into presents. We had such a blast watching them. Thank you to the Polka Family and Grandma Helland's brother and sister-in-law for some wonderful gifts (I have included pictures). This was the boys' 2nd Christmas and what a ball we all had. Although they do not really comprehend what Christmas is all about, the true meaning, we still had fun watching them open presents. We did not go all out only because they are only 18 months. As the boys get older and can really begin comprehending, we will do the full kit and kaboodle. We laughed as we picked out some of their gifts and there is meaning behind the gifts. So, to start, we got the boys their own hair dryer. I know....:) Lately after bath they get a kick out of blow drying their hair. 1) I think becuase it makes a loud sound and 2) the warmth, but I am certain the noise is the primary reason! We decided to get one to keep in their bathroom at the new house. Moving along, we decided to get them pillows for their bed. When Uncle Gregg and my mom visited, the boys were drawn to pillows and so it was a blast watching them with the pillows. They do so well sleeping with them too. I always go in before bed to tuck the boys back into bed, and simply to make sure things are okay. It is so cute to see them snuggled up with their blankey and puppy, sound asleep on their pillow--I could watch them sleep for hours. It will be cuter once they move into their toddler bed, but until then we are content with the crib. Knock on wood they are not climbers and have not even attempted to climb out.

O Christmas Tree...

Good morning!! (Jack)

For Me...

Wow!

You open up that one, and I will open up this one.

Book...

Zach and Jack

I think Zach sat for 5 mins looking at his book.

Jack testing out the comfort level. I think we have a winner!

Pillow...Can you see the excitment...HA!

Zach playing with their truck

Jack playing with one of their new tractors

Zach playing with the Sesame Street Pop-up

Clothes, love the BEARS track suit, Thank you Polka Family

Elmo DVD, Thank you Polka Family

PJs from Great Uncle Dave and Great Aunt Sharon Bosworth

Here is the boys on video opening their hair dryer...HeeHee.

After we played with the new toys, we decided to have our favorite breakfast, which is blueberries, pancakes, and yogurt!!! Yummy.

Zach and Jack

Aww, Zacharoo

Our Jackman

As soon as the boys woke from their morning nap, we served lunch to our favorite lil men, packed up the tahoe, and made our way over to Steve's 2nd cousins house, Phyl. We had some appetizers and then made our way out on the Duffy for a holiday cruise around the harbor. I have included pics of the boys on the boat...having a blast as well as playing the role of Co-Captain! :)

Captainette Phyl and her Co-Captain Jack

Captainette Phyl and Co-Captain Zach

Daddy and Jackson

Daddy (staring off, I think we passed a cigarette boat) and Jackson (he loved the water)

Grandma Helland and one of her favorite lil boys, Zachary

After we returned, we decided to have the boys open some gifts from Grandma and Grandpa Helland. The boys got tricycles, clothes, and trains. They loved the trains. We let them ride their bikes around in-house; they did a great job...even with their Elmo slippers on! As we made our way throughout the day, we got them dressed in their Santa PJs. We got them ready to go and as usual, they both fell asleep on the way home. The did well considering we kept them up past their bedtime. I think we were only 2 minutes into our drive home when Jack fell asleep. When we got home it was an easy transition to bed. I have included more pics of the day, as well some of the morning after of the boys playing with their new toys. Delightful!