ALLLLLL ABOARD!

Today we traveled to Batesville MS to ride on the Polar Express.

I love that both boys had Polar Express days at school this year. Both are familiar with the book and have watched the movie several times. When I told Evan and Luke about our trip, they couldn't be more excited. Evan was afraid he was going to get motion sick, but I told him we could save that for the ride home (which we did...).

Luke counted down the days after we told him. I think he was looking forward to it as much as Christmas. Evan was triple excited because not only was he going to the Polar Express, but he was getting to see Lane, Nonna and Pop AND the Texas Asbells! He was literally jumping down the sidewalk.

I had a hard time sleeping the night before so around 2:30am, I got up and started stalking the weather. I knew it was going to rain, but wanted to see if we'd miss it. What I found out was not only was it going to rain, but the meteorologist had predicted tornados...for the exact time we were set to board. Tornados, 70 degrees in December...Mother Nature is surely off her meds again.

Thankfully we only dodged one short downpour. We got our golden tickets, boarded the train and were off! (John and I not pictured because well...I am taking the pictures and John was sitting with the Lawsons.)

   

There was story telling, singing, 'in your seat' dancing, hot chocolate, cookies and a visit from Santa himself. The ride lasted about an hour and Luke only once said his famous line, "This is taking for a long time."

The chefs came around with yummy hot chocolate and a sugar cookie that disappeared in these boys mouths within seconds.

 

 

The conductor came and punched our tickets. Because the kids are so familiar with the movie they were each trying to figure out what letters they got. I hated to burst their bubble and tell them he was just randomly punching holes.



We even got a visit from the 'ghost' from the train. He entertained the boys with some magic tricks.


And lastly...the man of the hour!! Santa!!!




When the ride was over, we got one final picture (minus Gemma). I absolutely love this picture. I think it's my favorite of all. The way Evan, the oldest, is putting his arms around all the kids and making sure Skylar is okay. Melt my heart. I am so happy we got to share this with our friends and family.

 

Christmas Cards

I love Christmas cards.
I love picking out their outfits.

I love taking the pictures (even though my husband says it stresses me out).

I love picking out the one picture that describes us that year.

I love pouring through all the holiday card websites to find the one I want.

I love making several choices of cards. 

I love mail merging my on-going forever list of addresses (total geek alert!)

I love printing the labels, stuffing the envelopes, and taking one last look at my stack before putting it in the mailbox.

But most of all I love RECEIVING Christmas cards! 

In our old house I lined the threshold leading into the den with all our cards. I walked through that door a thousand times a day, and it just made me happy.

(We were babies with a baby! John looks 12.)


When we moved to the new house 4 years ago I had to find a new place.
Ta-da! Up the stairs they went!


Because I understand all the time and energy that goes into creating, stuffing, and mailing Christmas cards, I keep all the cards our house receives. I'd love to say that we go through them each night throughout the year praying over a different family from our cards, but...I barely get these boys to bed with a simple "thank you for preventing me from shaking my child". #goals Until then, they make a nice Christmas display every year.

This was a close second for this year's card. I might just have one printed for me. We sure do make handsome boys. 

Seriously though, these faces to me mean this:

Luke: hey hey Evan...I have some mischief we can get into.

Evan: Wait...mom's watching...just smile and hug and she'll get all gushy on us. When she dabs her eyes, we can make our move. 

But you know what's the most fun of all?? The outtakes!!! Gah, these boys...
This is not the first time Luke's head has appeared like a giant monster head.

Oh, of course Luke and Evan, you can take the camera and play photographer...because Mommy only planned YOUR outfits...not ours. Heck, I doubt I had even showered. 

I am glad your joyful little guy but HOLD STILL!! Poor Evan, he didn't even move a facial muscle.

Not sure which is better, Luke 'duh' face or the photobomber.

After the second picture, Evan said, "Uh, mom...I think he's done." Yup. So am I.

Because they really did so good, we took them over to Square Beans for a treat. Heck, after all that mommy and daddy deserved a treat as well.

 

We LOVE Santa!!

I started a tradition a few (7 or so) years ago of going to see Santa on Christmas Eve. It was a good tradition. It was something the boys were going to do with their own kids someday and nostalgically say to each other..."remember when mom and dad took us every Christmas Eve??"

That was until last year. We waited an HOUR to see Santa...and we were there five minutes after the doors opened. A big difference from the first year we did this.

So this year, we didn't make a plan. My boys have to be active. If we are home (weekend or vacation) we need to be out of the house by 10am or everybody gets restless and cranky. Since it was raining this first day of Christmas break, John and I knew we'd have to get creative. John suggested Santa...so off we went!!

Luke has developed an aversion to life size costumed people. He didn't want anything to do with the Chick-fil-a cow last time we saw him and the St. George's Gryphon absolutely sends him into a frenzie. We happen to have seen Santa from afar a couple times while being out this month. He didn't want to have ANYTHING to do with him. Even though, he realizes he isn't in costume, he just wasn't into it. He has said on mulitple occasions, "I just want him to bring me presents." Fair enough little one.

Needless to say, I wasn't too sure how it was going to go. Just like usual, Luke never ceases to amaze me. He was so excited!  Both boys chatted him up. Luke told him he only wanted one thing. The ONE thing that was not on his list on Black Friday...
In typical Evan fashion, he stuck to his list. All three things that were on his list Black Friday. #whew They also found out Santa wants chocolate chip cookies on Christmas Eve.

Santa Visits Throughout the Year
 

I am thankful

Thanksgiving 2015

It's no secret that I love Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday. I love everything about it. The food, the family, the parade, the lazy weekend that follows.

I decided to ask the family what they are thankful for. Knowing the Asbell brothers like to mimic each other I decided to ask them separately.

Evan: I am thankful for my...like everything.  But if I had to pick something, my family because they are the only people that can take care of me. They give me food, water, everything I need to live!
(good parents right there...or a half way decent pet owner. Take your pick.)

Luke likes to snuggle after his nap and I willingly oblige each and every time. While we were snuggling I decided to ask him what he was thankful for.

Luke: I don't know.....I just don't know. All I am thankful for is this! (and throws his arm around me to snuggle more). #heartmelt

Daddy: I am thankful for my family. I am thankful that everyone is healthy and happy...for the most part. (cue one of the children screaming) Well, they are healthy at least.

While we will never be perfect this is real. I am thankful for this crew right here.

Grandparents' Day

Not to host my own pity party, but I didn't have a strong grandparent presence in my life. Both my grandfathers passed before I was born and my mom's mom died when I was 3, so I don't have any real memories of her. My dad's mom lived until after I was married, but I was her 13th grandchild. She was kind of over the whole grandchildren thing by then. Plus dad was the youngest of 5 and I was a surprise when he was 40....you get it.

So for my kids to have such strong grandparent support means so much to me. My boys know each and everyone of these people would move heaven and earth for them. Each of them means something different to my boys which makes their bond with them even more special. Evan had a small writing activity in honor of Grandparents' Day and I was really amazed how accurately he described each grandparent and the special unique moments each of them brings to my children's lives. Grandmom and Pawpaw Charlie (not pictured), Gran and Jed, Nonna and Pop, you will never know how much Evan and Luke love and appreciate you!!

This is out of order in the blog (because Grandparents' Day happened before Thanksgiving), but I want this picture in our yearly book.

Black Friday Tradtion

Day After Thanksgiving Thanksgiving was an absolute amazement once again this year!

First there was the annual freak out over the turkey...
And here I thought I had it all figured out. I roasted what was deemed "the best turkey ever" last year I thought this year would be a piece of cake.

Of course it wasn't.

I started freaking out over whether to brine or not. There is so much information out there about each option being the best and the other one being the worst (dern internet). So I did what any red blooded American does, I took it to a Facebook debate. While I got a lot of great feedback, the winner was a neighbor who literally hand delivered to my doorstep, some William Sonoma brine mix, a brining bag and a turkey recipe. Patricia you are my hero!!!!

Oh how I wish that was the end of the freak out. For some reason, after 5 or 6 times with 5 or 6 different calculators, I put the turkey in the oven too early. It was done almost 4 hours before dinner!! The little thermometer popped right out of that thing before noon. And on top of that, I forgot to put it in the turkey bag Janice gave me the day before! Thankfully, because of John's cool head, we were able to keep it warm without over cooking it and save Day After Thanksgiving.

(But there was no saving those damn brussel sprouts...aka snot wads. Ps. Everybody that ate them said they turned out great but they sure didn't look pretty.)

Evan made name tags for almost everyone. He was all in until Lane got here. Then he abandoned ship and went out to shoot the bow and arrow.

While he was making these name tags, I accidentally cut myself with a knife. That prompted him to write me a secret note that I didn't find until halfway through my dinner. #cursethatknife

This year we were soooo lucky to have Lane join us. These boys are just the absolute cutest things together.

Baby Callie also woke up just in time for some sweet snuggles from me!

After 7 hours on my feet of non-stop food prep, cleaning, and cooking, I told John we weren't doing this next year. Of course, he looked at me, smiled, and said, "okay, honey." Seriously, what would I do without him.

Sadly, I don't have a lot of pictures from either Thanksgiving celebrations, but that's okay. I think I spent more time living the day rather than documenting day.

It was a great day...and it will keep being my favorite day of the entire year.