Boys,
Now that Thanksgiving is over and done with we can finally move on to Christmas! It's crazy how fast this year has gone by, it's already time to put up the Christmas Tree, and we did just that. Mommy and Daddy thought about getting a real tree this year, but eventually decided against it. Daddy is sure nothing beats the look and smell of a real tree, but for now we will settle on the nice tree we purchased at Target that came pre-lit, which makes things a lot easier. Daddy went down to the basement and brought up all of our Christmas decorations, along with the tree and we went right to work!
Jonathan you were too occupied with the toys around the living room because you're still too young to really understand, and Benjamin you assisted with Daddy for a little while. This was a new tree so Daddy had to read the instructions as to how to put it together. Benjamin you wanted to read them too because you're always interested in what every one is doing, but it wasn't too long before you returned to your toys.
So Daddy put together the tree and Mommy separated the branches so we could get it ready to put all the ornaments on. At one point Benjamin you helped Mommy with the branches, because you're Mommy's big helper! Then you returned to your toys because this wasn't as entertaining as you thought it would be.
While we were putting the tree together we listened to Michael Bublé's Christmas CD. Daddy has been listening to this CD since the end of October, but now it's finally the appropriate time to listen to Christmas music, so what better way to put up a Christmas Tree then to listen to Michael Bublé? It was finally time to put the tree into the corner of the living room so we could start putting the ornaments on to it.
Benjamin we let you try to put some ornaments on to the tree this year, so you would take the ornament and go over to the tree placing it where you wanted it. You weren't aware of the string for the ornaments having to go on the branches so Daddy would show you how to do this and we would put that ornament wherever you wanted to put it together. Jonathan you're still too young to understand this, but don't worry because Christmas comes around each year and when it comes around again you will have a better understanding and will be able to join in with us.
We bought some new ornaments this year that we were excited to put on the tree. We got two new Mickey Mouse ones, a new Jack Sparrow one, and Gizmo in a Santa Claus Hat. The last two were more for Daddy then anything else. Daddy has two other Jack Sparrow Christmas Ornaments from previous years, but for some reason one of the ornaments didn't make it through the past year in storage in one piece and came out with a broken hand. Very sad news!
While we were putting the ornaments on the tree Jonathan you were getting tired because it was time for your nap. Mommy took you to your crib so you could have a bottle and take your nap while we finished putting up the tree. Benjamin, when it came time to put the star on top of the tree Daddy picked you up and we put the star on top together.
After the tree was up and the lights were turned on Mommy made us some lunch. We then watched "Prep And Landing" to get even more in the Christmas Spirit. Daddy might like the movie more than you guys do! It wasn't long before Jonathan was awake and the two of you switched places.
Benjamin, you went down for your nap, and Jonathan you got to watch "Prep and Landing". The tree has only been up a day now, but already the two of you are giving us a run for our money by trying to take down ornaments and grab branches. It's the most wonderful time of the year and it's just getting started. Daddy can't wait for the memories we are going to make in the coming weeks.
Love Always,
Dad
Boys,
Today was Thanksgiving, a day we celebrate each year that serves to remind us of what we are thankful for. Daddy is thankful to have the two of you in his life because he gets to watch you both learn and grow. Daddy is also thankful that the two of you are teaching Daddy things about himself he didn't know as well. There's something else in this day as well with Pilgrims and Indians, but we will save those stories for later.
So today when the two of you woke up we had some breakfast and watched the parade... very briefly. Daddy recorded it though so we can watch it at a later time and fast forward through the boring stuff. The two of you were wearing your matching pajamas from Children's Place and Mommy and Daddy were trying to so hard to get a good picture of the two of you sitting together. We tried and tried and tried, but the second you see the camera the two of you try to run in separate directions. Mommy gave the two of you baths and then we got the both of you dressed to go across the street to Grandma's house!
We got to Grandma's house and had to wait for Uncle Steve, Auntie Sam, and Auntie Sara to get there before we could eat, but the two of you got to eat black and green olives. The two of you HATE the green olives, but Benjamin you continued to eat them even though you knew how bad they tasted. Once everyone arrived we sat down and had some Thanksgiving lunch! Benjamin you were able to feed yourself the entire time, and Jonathan you did not like the food that was there so you ate left over chocolate munchkins from Dunkin Donuts. Hopefullly you don't think this is normal for Thanksgiving, but Daddy was happy we had those to prevent you from going completely crazy.
After lunch we headed back home and the two of you took your naps so you wouldn't be tired for the rest of the night. We headed the Nana and Grandpa's house next for some more Thanksgiving meals. Kali was there, along with Auntie Cyndi, Uncle Chris, Amber and Jordyn! Grandpa Edwin made the Thanksgiving dinner all by himself and it was really good. Jonathan you shared some dessert with Auntie Cyndi while Benjamin you tried your best to play with Grandpa's model cars. Daddy talked to Kali about the things she wanted for Christmas and teased her about how the top item on her list came out about four times her age ago. We visited with Nana and Grandpa for a little while before heading out the door to our next destination.
We finally got to Grandpa Kevin's, our last stop on our trip, and we were the first ones there again! We waited for Auntie Sara to come with her friend and Uncle Scott, and then later on Uncle Steve and Auntie Sam showed up. Your other Uncle Steve spent some time with us today as well, but he had to leave and just wanted to stop by to see you guys! Jonathan you were walking really good today, you were practically walking laps around Great Grandma's living room! She kept saying there was nothing the two of you could break so it'd be fine, but every few minutes there'd be something else that would fall and had to be moved so you wouldn't break it! The two of you played blocks with Grandpa for a little while that Great Grandma got from a church for ninety nine cents! It was getting late and the two of you were getting very tired, so we headed back home. Uncle Scott had to ride with us because Auntie Sara left early, he had to squeeze between your two car seats!
We got home and got the two of you back into pajamas so you could make your way to your cribs. Jonathan you went down first and was out in no time, and Benjamin you were able to watch Mickey Mouse with Mommy for a little while before you headed to bed. Thanksgiving will be over in a few minutes, so before it is Daddy is going to give thanks once more. He is thankful that the two of you are healthy, he is thankful for Mommy, he is thankful that today we got to spend the day with the people that matter the most in our lives, and most importantly he is thankful that we have each other.
Love Always,
Dad
Jonathan,
Over the last couple of days you have been trying to walk around the living room...or rather run from the coffee table until you slam your body into the couch because you can't maintain your balance long enough to keep walking. Which is fine because the couch provides you with a soft landing zone. It'd be another thing if you were running from the couch to the coffee table! But, that wouldn't be anything you're not already use to by now as you're a little accident prone and have fallen and hit your head on more than a few occasions.
Recently though you have been walking around the living room, going from the table to the couch, the entertainment center to the couch, and just taking a few steps here and there and both Mommy and Daddy couldn't be more proud of you! You're starting to learn how to walk, and though you can't walk full on just yet you're getting from Point A to Point B a lot better these days. Sure sometimes you go from Point A to half way to Point B before losing your balance, but it looks like you are catching on rather quickly to this walking thing.
We have to catch your attention with toys, books, and even the remote control for the television to get you to come to us when we want you to walk. You throw your little arms high into the air to try to keep your balance as you walk one foot after the other. Sometimes you get too excited too quickly and try to run, this always ends with you falling down, but you're getting there!
Your big brother Benjamin is getting just a bit jealous at all the attention you have been getting over this the last couple of days, but he'll be alright. Just yesterday he tried to push you down as you were walking, but you just kept on your way and he couldn't stop you! Benjamin is going to be doomed when you discover you know how to walk around the entire house! He will have nowhere to run to anymore!
It seems like just yesterday you were learning how to crawl by throwing your body all over the floor, now you're on the verge of walking and it just seems like you are getting big too fast. Mommy and Daddy don't have a little baby anymore, you're becoming a big boy! We are very proud of you and your big brother and we love the two of you very very much. Please go easy on Daddy though, chasing the two of you around the house for some reason doesn't sound like a great time!
The One Who Is Really Doomed,
Daddy
Boys,
Last night we spent some time together as a family and decorated some Gingerbread Men! While we didn't make the Gingerbread Men from scratch or even bake them we had got a kit from the store that came with three already made Gingerbread Men and all we had to do was decorate them. Maybe someday down the road we can try to bake our own Gingerbread Men, but for now this was a good replacement.
We sat down at the kitchen table and split off into pairs! Mommy was with you Jonathan, and Benjamin you sat with Daddy. Mommy and Jonathan shared a Gingerbread Man because Jonathan you're not old enough yet to tackle your own. Benjamin and Daddy each had one as well. We had to decorate it by placing the icing wherever we wanted so that our candy would stick to them. The icing wasn't as soft as Daddy expected it to be so this made this task harder than it needed to be, but once we got the icing on Benjamin you chose to put the candy wherever you wanted to make it your own.
At one point Daddy wasn't thinking clearly and he opened up your bag of sprinkles Benjamin. You did the right thing with dumping it over the Gingerbread Man, but you didn't stop and dozens upon dozens of sprinkles went all over the floor! It wasn't enough for you to just dump those sprinkles on the floor after that you decided to keep pushing the sprinkles on the table towards the floor as well. Daddy tried to clea this up after we were done and Mommy was giving the two of you a bath, but of course Daddy missed some and Mommy found them making Daddy look silly! Cleaning up sprinkles that you can barely see is not a fun thing to do!
After our Gingerbread Men were made Daddy took a bite out of his just to see what it taste like and it turns out pre-made Gingerbread Men in the box like this our not too much pretty good, or not good at all. So we cleaned up the table and all of the mess we made and the two of you went off with Mommy to have your bath. After you each had your bath we all sat down to watch "Santa Buddies" to finish our family night. It is only November, and it's not even Thanksgiving yet, but we can start doing the Christmas things whenever we want!
And these pictures are how our Gingerbead Men ended up! Of Course Jonathan and Mommy had the best looking one!
Missed A Few Sprinkles,
Dad
Boys,
Mommy and Daddy got the movie "The Lion King" for the both of you a few weeks ago, and we have watched it numerous times since then. The very first night we got it we also bought the two of you a big Simba stuffed animal in hopes that the two of you would share it... however, Benjamin you quickly became attached to it and refused to share it with your little brother! So the four of us sat down and had some popcorn and watched the movie together.
Daddy had mentioned in a previous letter that the movie "Ghost Dad" was the first time he ever went to a movie theater, and this is correct, but the first movie Daddy ever watched in it's entirety in a movie theater was "The Lion King". Daddy was so scared of the movie "Ghost Dad" that we stayed long enough to open up our candy before Nana and Grandpa had to leave!
Daddy would never have thought that one of the first movie's he watched when he was younger he would be sitting down with the two of you and Mommy to watch! Since that night Benjamin you have wanted to watch the movie over and over again referring to it mostly as "Kitty", and sometimes even "Kitty King". You get sad at the scene where Simba and Mufasa get caught in the stampede, and rightfully so! Jonathan, you like Scar and when they sing and dance and it strikes Daddy as odd that you like all the bad characters in these movies! You love Nigel the bad bird in RIO, and you like Scar!
Instead of having the two of you fight for the big Simba stuffed animal we bought, Mommy and Daddy went back to the store a few nights later and got the big Nala stuffed animal so that you would each have one... and as expected Benjamin you quickly tried to claim that one for yourself too! You really love the Simba though because each night you make sure that if he isn't already in your crib you go and search for him to bring him to your crib. You can't sleep without your Mickey Mouse, and now you can't sleep without your Simba!
Jonathan you're not attached to the Nala which isn't really a bad thing, but maybe someday you'll figure out how much you like that or the Simba and then we might be in for some real trouble. The two of you need to learn how to share with one another! Well, Daddy thought he'd write to the two of you about how much you guys enjoy watching this movie and what we went through with the stuffed animals so that someday when the two of you have kids of your own and sit down to enjoy this Disney Classic you can remember the first time the two of you sat down with Mommy and Daddy to watch it.
The King of Pride Rock,
Daddy
Boys, 
Jonathan you were too occupied with the toys around the living room because you're still too young to really understand, and Benjamin you assisted with Daddy for a little while. This was a new tree so Daddy had to read the instructions as to how to put it together. Benjamin you wanted to read them too because you're always interested in what every one is doing, but it wasn't too long before you returned to your toys. 
So Daddy put together the tree and Mommy separated the branches so we could get it ready to put all the ornaments on. At one point Benjamin you helped Mommy with the branches, because you're Mommy's big helper! Then you returned to your toys because this wasn't as entertaining as you thought it would be. 
While we were putting the tree together we listened to Michael Bublé's Christmas CD. Daddy has been listening to this CD since the end of October, but now it's finally the appropriate time to listen to Christmas music, so what better way to put up a Christmas Tree then to listen to Michael Bublé? It was finally time to put the tree into the corner of the living room so we could start putting the ornaments on to it.
Benjamin we let you try to put some ornaments on to the tree this year, so you would take the ornament and go over to the tree placing it where you wanted it. You weren't aware of the string for the ornaments having to go on the branches so Daddy would show you how to do this and we would put that ornament wherever you wanted to put it together. Jonathan you're still too young to understand this, but don't worry because Christmas comes around each year and when it comes around again you will have a better understanding and will be able to join in with us. 
We bought some new ornaments this year that we were excited to put on the tree. We got two new Mickey Mouse ones, a new Jack Sparrow one, and Gizmo in a Santa Claus Hat. The last two were more for Daddy then anything else. Daddy has two other Jack Sparrow Christmas Ornaments from previous years, but for some reason one of the ornaments didn't make it through the past year in storage in one piece and came out with a broken hand. Very sad news!
While we were putting the ornaments on the tree Jonathan you were getting tired because it was time for your nap. Mommy took you to your crib so you could have a bottle and take your nap while we finished putting up the tree. Benjamin, when it came time to put the star on top of the tree Daddy picked you up and we put the star on top together. 
After the tree was up and the lights were turned on Mommy made us some lunch. We then watched "Prep And Landing" to get even more in the Christmas Spirit. Daddy might like the movie more than you guys do! It wasn't long before Jonathan was awake and the two of you switched places. 
Benjamin, you went down for your nap, and Jonathan you got to watch "Prep and Landing". The tree has only been up a day now, but already the two of you are giving us a run for our money by trying to take down ornaments and grab branches. It's the most wonderful time of the year and it's just getting started. Daddy can't wait for the memories we are going to make in the coming weeks. 
