Bring on Christmas Baby!

Given the fact that Cara could go into labor at any moment and out bambino could arrive early too, we decided to get together and let the kids open their presents early.  It's a festive occasion for all of us watching the dudes and the dudette bask in the joy of "receiving."  That's all Dude has talked about wanting this year is a pillow pet.  Done.  Cara and Wes wrapped up the cuddly, monkey stuffed pillow with a head and made our kid's year.  On top of that, he also opened a new remote control car.  That's becoming a yearly gift tradition with our dear friends.  These battery controlled plastic vehicles really only last a year given the fact that dude runs them off our tiled stairs on a daily basis.  Payton is proving to be a little lady these days - she showed excitement over leggings and a purple plaid shirt.  Only really big kids get excited about clothes right?  She's just not our little PR anymore. 

 We coined pillow pet a monkey, so Dude was assigned with the task of naming the monkey with an "M" name.  The result?  "Macaroni Cheese."  I asked if we could shorten it to "Mac."  That's a negative Mom.  "Macaroni Cheese" it is son.  We were just happy he didn't name it "monkey" or "brown" or "Riley."   

These two have some good times together.  We love our Uncle Wes.

Adding to the weekend's festivities, we met Lance, Katie and the girlies for pizza and Chatfield's holiday lights.  The girls looked as cute as little buttons, as they always do.  We had the kids bundled to the point of not being recognizable as children, but they stayed warm!  The lights were beautiful and it was quite a charming night (until a lady and her son stepped on Chloe's head and made her cry for 20 minutes.)  Who wants to be stepped on really?  

When we got home, Dude cuddled with me on the couch next to the Christmas tree for 20 minutes...without moving.  This hasn't happened in a good year, so I took in every second.  Granted, he was totally using this experience to get out of going to bed, but I didn't care.  We're taking in this holiday season and are really trying to enjoy our dude.  Life will hopefully change here in the very near future, so this "dude time" is pretty darn special.  Hope you're enjoying your December as much as we're enjoying ours.    

 The 3 abominable snowman and women.

 It's amazing what people can do with lights. 

 The most fashionable almost 2 year olds this side of the Mississippi. 

Look how big the dude looks!  Oh how fast time goes.  He used to be that small right?