Merry Christmas

I LOVE Christmas! I really do! I think that it is even more special when you have your own child because there is so much joy in seeing them get excited! Of course Braden didn't understand the concept of Santa this year, but he could recognize Santa, Christmas tree, snowman, ornament, etc. And this year he was somewhat more interested in unwrapping his gifts.

We spent Christmas Eve with my parents at their home and we had steak and shrimp which was delicious! Then we opened gifts and spent time enjoying each other. It was a very, very nice evening. We got home around 8:30 and we put Braden to bed and Brad and I exchanged our gifts to each other. Then it was time for Santa to come and we managed to crawl into bed just before midnight!

We had to wake Braden up Christmas morning around 8 and I was so disappointed that it rained the night before because I had envisioned him being able to spend lots of time on his new swing set. But he was excited about the swing set and he was able to enjoy the other toys that he received inside so it all worked out just fine. My parents and Brad's parents came over for Christmas breakfast and after my parents left we spent time with Brad's parents and exchanged gifts. We went to my Aunt's house for Christmas lunch at 2:00 and we were home by 5:30 and completely exhausted! However, this magical season only comes once a year and I truly enjoy being able to spend so much time with our family so to me the exhaustion was completely worth it. Till next Christmas.......

The only annoying part of the Christmas was the Chipmunks CD that I bought for Braden that we have been listening to since Thanksgiving. I will be completely happy if I NEVER hear the chipmunks again!

I hope that everyone had a wonderful and joyful holiday season!

Happy Birthday Jesus

This morning Braden and I made our traditional Happy Birthday Jesus cupcakes. He helped me dump in the batter and add the water and he also added 3 uncracked eggs to the mix! I did crack them before we baked. After the cupcakes cooled he got to decorate the frosted cupcakes with sprinkles and snowman toothpicks.

He kept wanting to eat the cupcakes, but he ate some icing instead and we will wait until Christmas Day to eat our Happy Birthday Jesus cupcakes as we celebrate the birth of our Savior.

Happy Birthday Jesus!

The Polar Express

The Polar Express has been my favorite book since the 3rd grade when Ms. Hutcherson read the story to our class. A few years later my brother gave me the book for Christmas. When I heard that they have a Polar Express train ride in the Smoky Mountains, I booked our trip and we set out to board the Polar Express.

Braden has only seen about 5 minutes of the movie and it was the Hot Cocoa scene (I HATE the movie by the way). He was really excited when we boarded the train for the 1 hour 15 min round trip the North Pole. We were treated to hot cocoa that was just the right temp for a little mouth and marshmallow covered Santas (Braden's first taste of marshmallows- YUM), Christmas carols, the Polar Express reading, a visit from the conductor to punch our tickets, a visit from Santa to deliver his first gift of Christmas (bells from his sleigh) and a 2nd visit from Santa for a picture and to sign your copy of the book. It was a great trip and we will be returning next year. however, next year we will reserve our tickets in enough time to do the night train ride.

It was an exciting trip. We stayed in Cherokee, NC Saturdday night whick is only 15 minutes from Bryson City, NC where the train departed. It was interesting sleeping in the same hotel room with Braden. Brad tried to get a suite, but their weren't any so let's just say it was an interesting night.....

Hoffman Family Christmas

The first Saturday in December we celebrated Christmas with Brad's side of the family. We had some great fun and we got to enjoy every one's company. Braden enjoyed spending time with all of his cousins (6 and 1 more on the way!). He especially loved all of the attention that he got from Emma and the kisses that he kept "stealing" from Berkley. He is definitely a ladies man!

The brothers chatting it up

Grandpa and Grandma hanging out with all of the grandkids

Braden "smooching" Berkley

Ahhhh....The Dreaded Christmas Picture

Well I thought that last year was tough getting a Christmas picture taken with an almost 1 year old. Well I was wrong because last year was a breeze! Getting a picture taken with an almost 2 year old was worse! Braden is cutting his 2 year molars so he is drooling and his fingers NEVER want to leave his mouth. Also he doesn't respond to jingling a bell or any other cutesy song that used to get his attention. This year I finally got 2 cute shots of him and I had to make throw up/vomiting/gagging noises to get him to look up and laugh! (I thought this might work since he cracks up laughing if I gag while I am changing his diaper) Ahhh! What a boy! This was my last attempt and I am glad that it worked! Here are a couple of our pictures......

Hands in the mouth

It looks like I am wrestling with him.....which I was!

Hey....Braden.....Can you look at Mommy and smile?

UHHH! GAG! BWWWHH! Hey there is that handsome smile!