The Carlos Family: January 2013

December came and went faster than I would have liked, but it was full of love, laughter, and very spoiled children. We filled the month with Christmas treats like riding the Irvine Park train to see Santa Claus and bundling up to see the beautiful Brea Christmas lights. Clayton and Chloe really seemed to understand the concept of Santa, which turned out to be a fabulous way to redirect unwanted behaviors! Clayton wanted a tool bench and a blue bike and Chloe wanted a new baby and new baby stroller. I'll never forget their sweet little voices confidently sharing their hopes and dreams for what they wanted from Santa. I know I loved Christmas as a child, but I'm so enamored with it now that I have children. There's nothing better than seeing the innocent joy shine through my children's twinkling eyes. Oh and did Santa hear their requests? Yes, he did! Clayton got his tool bench, blue Strider bike (Santa came to Papa Jim and Nonnie's too!), big basketball, Toy Story 2, a Woody doll, microphone, guitar, books, Thomas trains, chapstick, and so much more, while Chloe got a new Corolle baby, stroller, cradle, high chair, pink Strider bike (Santa came to Papa Jim and Nonnie's too!), purse, microphone, guitar, books, chapstick, Tangled, a Rapunzel doll and lots more. Easton got an activity center, ball popper, a Zebra ride on toy (Thanks Papa Louie and Grammie!), a little Woody doll, and puffs! One of their favorite gifts was an outdoor trampoline from their Papa Louie and Grammie. We had a relaxing Christmas Eve morning building a gingerbread house and then went to Christmas Eve mass, which is my favorite service. Papa Jim and Nonnie came over for a delicious lasagna dinner (made by Nonnie!)--our Christmas Eve tradition. We opened up new warm jammies and got prepared for Santa's big arrival. Christmas morning was full of wrapping paper, boxes, and very happy children. Papa Jim and Nonnie came over in the morning to see what Santa brought and have breakfast with us. Papa Louie and Grammie came over a little bit later to surprise the twins with their new trampoline. What fun they had jumping on their new toy and burning lots of energy! That night we went over to Papa Jim and Nonnie's to open presents with everyone and then had dinner with my mom's family. It was a very full, but very fulfilling day. We celebrated with Ryan's family the following day and once again enjoyed delicious food, good company, and lots of presents. The festivities capped off with a visit to Uncle Roo and Aunt Debbie's for another yummy feast and special time with our cousins. Love, love, love Christmas!

Some little highlights of the duo:

Clayton's adorable phrases..."Mommy/Daddy, what are you doing?," "Mommy, watch this!" (he then proceeds to do a really cool "trick," "Mommy, come here. I need to show you something."
Chloe's sweet words and phrases..."Tayton" for Clayton, "Mommy, watch this!" (she then proceeds to do a really cool "trick," "kiss...um, ma" the sound effect make it, and "I be a princess."
A year ago I had to fight to put a bow in Chloe's hair and now she can't leave her bedroom without her hair done and a bow in her hair...love it! I also love blow drying her hair. At first I cringed at the thought of another nighttime chore, but now it is our special time together. She also doesn't like wearing her bike helmet, why because of her hair, of course. Oh my are we in for it!
Clayton always has something in his hands. His most prized handheld possessions are his blankie and a blue handball from Ryan's fire station. Ryan has to bring one home every day. He definitely has his daddy's athleticism with all sports. He's a natural. I can already see myself in the stands now...might as well script a TLC show after me now!

Here's some pictures from our festive Christmas month...

Christmastime at Disneyland with Papa Jim and Nonnie

Picking out a Christmas tree for our playroom

Two very big helpers assisting Daddy with putting the Christmas lights up.

Nonnie had to babysit all 4 of her grandkids one Thursday afternoon--milk for all! Well, water for E!

I never got a picture of our beautifully decorated playroom tree with the bows, but here it is with our homemade and a few store bought ornaments.

Chloe is loved by her Grammie--such a beautiful quilt for her big girl bed.

Little artists hard at work on their bathtub masterpiece.

All bundled up for Easton's first wagon ride--he loved it!

Painting ornaments for their tree

Special times with our cousins Angie and Jeff

Merry Christmas to my beloved Papa and Grandma...we miss you so very much.

The park: the best invention ever for children!

Clayton and Chloe's first movie theater experience--Monsters Inc. 3D

Our annual trip on the Irvine Park Christmas train!

Making gingerbread boys and girls with Nonnie

Blessed beyond measure with these three

Christmas Eve morning we made a gingerbread house!

Christmas Eve--Mass, dinner, new pajamas, reindeer food and "The Night Before Christmas"...

Santa came!

Trying out their new trampoline from Papa Louie and Grammie--I'm thinking they love it!

Christmas with the Aurelio Family

Thank goodness Santa brought Clay a new big basketball...

and a blue bike!

Chloe trying out her new pink bike

Papa Jim didn't want to be left out of the fun, so Nonnie bought him a new scooter.

Nonnie put Ryan and Kyle on a scavenger hunt to find their shared gift...a beer pong table!

Santa thought Chloe would love a new baby with hair, but unfortunately even Santa makes mistakes. Chloe was a little nervous about the doll with hair as I'm guessing it didn't look like a baby, so off to the specialty toy store she and Mommy went the day after Christmas to find a Corolle baby.
I'm thinking she loves her new baby!