Boys,
It's Christmas Eve! This is the night kids all around the world have been waiting for. It's the night when Santa Claus takes his long journey around the world delivering presents to all boys and girls who have been good all year long. For the past few days Benjamin we've been telling you that Santa Claus would be coming on Saturday night and you would shake your head and say "No", but Daddy has a feeling when will think differently when you wake up tomorrow!
You've both been very good this past year and Mom and Dad are very proud of the things you've both accomplished this year. Benjamin you're talking more, doing new things every day, and Jonathan you just learned how to walk and are starting to find your vocal cords as well. How could the two of you be on Santa's naughty list?! Daddy is sure as the years go on you'll both find a way to get there. Daddy and Uncle Chris were not the best of kids growing up so he has a little experience in the field of being on the naughty list!
Today Daddy gave you both a present early... a CM Punk t-shirt (same as Daddy!), yes, a wrestling shirt because no matter what anyone will tell you wrestling is cool, or at least it used to be cool and Daddy never gave up on it. Then Mommy made some cupcakes before the two of you went down for a nap. Mommy and Daddy even exchanged a gift early too. Daddy got Mommy the earrings she wanted, and Mommy got Daddy a Keurig Coffee Maker! When you woke up from your nap Grandma had come over with Randy, and Uncle Scott. Then Uncle Steve, Auntie Sam, and Auntie Sara came over so we could have some dinner and exchange Christmas presents.
We watched ELF while we enjoyed each others company and passed Christmas presents around to each other. After everyone had left Benjamin we surprised you with your own chair that reclines! You love it! We sat down in the living room and watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks". Jonathan you went to bed first, hopefully with the visions of sugar plums dancing in your head. As for you Benjamin, right now you are running around the living room trying to open all the new toys you got tonight, but soon you will be tucked away in your crib as well. Santa Claus see's you when you're sleeping and he knows when you're awake so as long as you stay up he won't be able to come and bring you presents!
Tomorrow is Christmas Day and we have a big day planned of going to Grandma's for lunch, going to Nana and Grandpa's house after that, and ending our night at Grandpa Kevin's house. So Benjamin as we lay you down to sleep and Daddy finishes this letter to the both of you he hopes the two of you get a full nights rest because we have a long day tomorrow! It's amazing how fast this year as gone by and it's sad to think that Christmas is less then a few hours away and will soon be over, but at least it comes around the same time each year.
Will Fight The Temptation To Drink The Milk And Eat The Cookies,
Daddy
Boys,
This past weekend we went out to Edavilla USA to check out the Christmas lights and to take a ride on the train they have there. It was very exciting counting down the days until we were able to go and experience what they had to offer. Daddy had never been before so this would be the first time he was going just like the two of you.
We headed up and met with Grandpa Kevin (who was nice enough to buy our tickets!), Auntie Sara, Uncle Scott, Uncle Stephen, Auntie Sam, Uncle Steven and Dawn! The car ride up wasn't so bad which was good because when the two of you go on long car rides you get just a little crazy.
Once we arrived we were directed where to park, which seemed like it was miles away from the entrance! We put the two of you in your carriages and started to head towards the entrance, along the way Auntie Sara couldn't figure out how to push you through the sand Benjamin. It was pretty funny when the Train came riding by and sounded off their horn because as soon as you heard it Ben you started saying "Choo Choo!" and were very excited! We made it into the park and saw all the wonderful lights and decorations.
We walked through the park for a little while and saw a few displays they had with Santa Claus in them, and we saw a man making bears out of wooden logs with a torch. We walked past a long line of people when we realized that those people were in line to catch the train. We walked back towards the end of the line and as soon as we got there the line started moving forward and we were back where we started within seconds. If only we had waited a little while longer then we wouldn't have had to walk back to the beginning!
While we waited in line we looked at more Christmas lights, and saw all of the rides. We knew we wouldn't be taken you two on the Ferris Wheel, or the ride that brings you up into the air and spins in circles.... which might sound like the Ferris Wheel, but it was a different ride which name escapes Daddy right now... let's just leave it with we were not going on any rides that went high up into the air. When the two of you are old enough you can go on these kind of rides with Mommy!
We waited in line for a long time before we made our way to where the trains picked us up. We had to wait for the next train to come around because the one that arrived when we were there was not closed and we would have to sit outside in the cold as we went around the track. We were lucky because that night was one of the only nights where they had both trains running at the same time both steam and diesel!
We finally were on the train and we got to go around the track looking at all the lights they had along the way. Daddy wasn't too impressed with this, but they did have a few cool ones. There was a pirate ship that looked like someone, or something was falling off of it, they also had a snowman shooting a basketball into a basketball hoop... he got it in every single time! Daddy wished that some of the decorations were just a bit closer to the train, but as long as the two of you liked it then that's fine with Dad. Benjamin you were really excited to be riding the train you sat with Grandpa the whole time. Jonathan you on the other hand were tossing your body around and squirming and did not want to be held for long periods at a time. Daddy wasn't sure where you were going to go had you broke free.
After the train ride we had to head back over to the entrance of this section of the park to get both of your strollers. Auntie Sara had been saying she was starving ever since we were waiting in line for the train, so the second we got off she headed right into the restaurant without any of us because we had to go pick up your strollers. She was so upset when she ran and found us! Take this as a lesson learned boys, do not leave Mommy and Daddy when we go out where there are large groups of people, because even adults like Auntie can get lost! After she found us we went back to the restaurant and had some expensive food!
After we ate we went out and went over to the Carousel. They had one just like the one at the Park! Daddy took you Ben onto the Carousel, while Mommy and Jonathan waited. When we went on Daddy sat you on one of the horses, and as the ride started it was nothing like the one we usually go on at the Park, this one went extremely fast right from the beginning. Daddy almost lost his balance when it started! The Carousel went so fast that Mommy couldn't have take a picture of us on it! After the ride was over we went to a large building that was our last stop of our trip. Inside the building was a Gift Shop, and a play area for kids.
When we went in we had to leave the strollers at the bottom of the stairs again. Mommy told Daddy to put your carriage Jonathan against the wall where Auntie Sara was standing. So once Auntie Sara moved Daddy pushed your carraige against the wall and we all started to go up the stairs. We went up one flight of stairs when Daddy looked at everyone and realized that no one had you Jonathan! So Daddy rushed back down stairs and found you still in your carriage in the corner, you weren't crying, but you were screaming out sounds probably wondering where all of us had went! Daddy had thought Mommy had taken you out of the carriage before he moved it into the corner. This is probably a story best kept from you!
Once we were upstairs Jonathan you went into the ball pit first and hated it so we took you out. Benjamin, you on the other hand took to the ball pit like a second home. You were throwing balls at all of the kids inside the pit being a bully as kids jumped up and down around you. Daddy tried to take you out, but you climbed further inside to avoid Daddy! You were screaming and laughing and just kept throwing balls at the other kids so finally Auntie Sara sat down and tried to reach you. It wasn't until Daddy push---it wasn't until Auntie Sara fell in that we were able to get you out. We played with the trains for a little while longer and then went to the Gift Shop before heading out of Edaville and to our car. It was a fun night for us to spend as a family, and Uncle Scott even got to ride in our backseat on the way home!
Love Always,
Dad
Boys,
Tonight the two of you went out with Mom and Dad to do some Christmas Shopping and to pick a few other things up. We went to CVS first because Mommy had to grab a couple of things, but once she was done we all headed up towards the Mall. Benjamin you fell asleep on the way there because earlier today Mommy had put you down for a nap. Daddy came home from work and you started calling "Daddy! Daddy!" from your crib, so Daddy not knowing you hadn't slept yet went in, changed you, and brought you back out! You slick little guy! So, you slept on the way to the mall and when we got there we had to return a sweater Mommy had bought for Jonathan because it turns out that you Benjamin already had that sweater from last year.
After that we searched the mall for other things to buy for Christmas and we did not have any intentions on taking a picture with Santa tonight. Last year when we took the two of you to the mall to see Santa it wasn't the best experience. Benjamin you started crying as if Santa was going to take you back to the North Pole and force you to make toys, and Jonathan you were still very young and just sat on Santa's lap like a sack of potatoes. So, this time we pointed to Santa and asked the two of you if you wanted to sit with him. We finally made out way over to Santa and there was no other kids waiting around to see him so we figured we'd give it a try! Benjamin you kept jumping down from the chair and Jonathan you seemed to be in a haze just staring off.
Finally Benjamin you decided you would sit near Santa, but only if you could sit on a present and not right on the side of him. We took a number of pictures finally deciding that the one we settled on was the best one. It might not be the greatest picture, but it's a hundred times better than last years picture. Who knows maybe next year we will have the best one yet! Santa gave the two of you some crayons and a coloring book and promised to bring you more in a few weeks when he makes his rounds on Christmas Eve! So the two of you have to be good little boys before that day!
Also Knows When You're Awake,
Dad
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,
It's Christmas Eve! This is the night kids all around the world have been waiting for. It's the night when Santa Claus takes his long journey around the world delivering presents to all boys and girls who have been good all year long. For the past few days Benjamin we've been telling you that Santa Claus would be coming on Saturday night and you would shake your head and say "No", but Daddy has a feeling when will think differently when you wake up tomorrow! 
You've both been very good this past year and Mom and Dad are very proud of the things you've both accomplished this year. Benjamin you're talking more, doing new things every day, and Jonathan you just learned how to walk and are starting to find your vocal cords as well. How could the two of you be on Santa's naughty list?! Daddy is sure as the years go on you'll both find a way to get there. Daddy and Uncle Chris were not the best of kids growing up so he has a little experience in the field of being on the naughty list! 
Today Daddy gave you both a present early... a CM Punk t-shirt (same as Daddy!), yes, a wrestling shirt because no matter what anyone will tell you wrestling is cool, or at least it used to be cool and Daddy never gave up on it. Then Mommy made some cupcakes before the two of you went down for a nap. Mommy and Daddy even exchanged a gift early too. Daddy got Mommy the earrings she wanted, and Mommy got Daddy a Keurig Coffee Maker! When you woke up from your nap Grandma had come over with Randy, and Uncle Scott. Then Uncle Steve, Auntie Sam, and Auntie Sara came over so we could have some dinner and exchange Christmas presents. 
We watched ELF while we enjoyed each others company and passed Christmas presents around to each other. After everyone had left Benjamin we surprised you with your own chair that reclines! You love it! We sat down in the living room and watched "Alvin and the Chipmunks". Jonathan you went to bed first, hopefully with the visions of sugar plums dancing in your head. As for you Benjamin, right now you are running around the living room trying to open all the new toys you got tonight, but soon you will be tucked away in your crib as well. Santa Claus see's you when you're sleeping and he knows when you're awake so as long as you stay up he won't be able to come and bring you presents! 
Tomorrow is Christmas Day and we have a big day planned of going to Grandma's for lunch, going to Nana and Grandpa's house after that, and ending our night at Grandpa Kevin's house. So Benjamin as we lay you down to sleep and Daddy finishes this letter to the both of you he hopes the two of you get a full nights rest because we have a long day tomorrow! It's amazing how fast this year as gone by and it's sad to think that Christmas is less then a few hours away and will soon be over, but at least it comes around the same time each year. 
