Off to the theater

After Sam's Christmas party we met up with the Makis' and Powell's to see Frozen the movie at the Saenger. It was so much fun. Sam was a little fidgety but the big kids had a blast. Nothing beats watching a movie on the big screen.

Sam's school Christmas party

Sam's teacher Ms. Hollie planned a fun Christmas party for their class. They drew names for secret Santa. Sam picked Hayes' name (Hayes is Sam's buddy) and John Preston picked Sam's name. John Preston is also a top buddy. It was cute to see the kids exchange gifts. They had a huge lunch and it was a cute party.

John Preston and Sam

Sam is in shorts because this Christmas was HOT!!!

Sam's 4th birthday party at school

On December 18th, we had Sam's cupcake party at school. I usually have it the week of his birthday but this year I thought we should do it before the class parties started. He wanted power ranger cupcakes. I also got individual chocolate and strawberry milk for everyone. It was a hit!!! Andrew was with us since that was his last day of school.

Christmas Dinner - Cuban Style

Owen and I have a sweet group of couple friends. We have known them since our children were babies. It is special because we really know each other. I feel blessed with these people in our lives.

This Christmas my friend Mandi and I wanted to get everyone together for a date night before the holidays got too busy. Owen's friend just opened up a Cuban restaurant that is really different for our area, so that is where we decided to go.

Show and Tell at SHS

Andrew's class has show and tell every day. I love that they do this. It is Andrew's turn once a month. Since school has started he has asked to bring Ralphie to school. I caved in for his December month. I was worried Ralphie would not listen and get too excited around the kids. I could not have been more wrong. Ralphie was an angel. He was perfect. I can not praise him enough. The kids loved him and Andrew beamed with happiness showing off his best friend Ralphie.

Christmas party at SHS

Last day of school for the 2015 year was filled with lots of yummy food, sweet teacher gifts, and pjs :) Perfect day.

Andrew's Christmas Concert

Sacred Heart had their annual Christmas concert in December. The Munton's came with us and we were able to sit on the 3rd row. I thought we had the best seats. Until...the kids lined up. Andrew was right in the middle - typically that is a good thing. Not this year...his music teacher sat with her piano in the middle. We could not see Andrew at all. But I enjoyed watching the other kids sing. And Christmas songs are the best.

Santa comes to town

How did I forget to blog about Santa coming to town. Every year, I write a letter to Santa through the Tall Pines Garden Club and ask Santa to visit the boys before Christmas Day. Santa got my letter and came to our house the first of December. He brought the boys a stuffed animal and book that goes with the stuffed animal. Sam got the book "On the day you were born" with the polar bear that he named "Blueberry". Andrew got the book "I'd know you anywhere, my love" with the giraffe and he named him polka dots.

Ralphie even participated this year. He wore the same pjs as the boys and Santa loved on him. What lucky little boys and doggy we have :)

Christmas 2015

The boys must have been really good this year because Santa found us!! He gave the boys leap pads, big army helicopters and airplanes, star wars characters and costumes. He also got the boys books, batman watches, power rangers and so much more fun items.

We had to wake up Sam Christmas morning...which is so rare. He is usually our first one up in the mornings.

Ralphie got a new bone (even though he has not chewed the bone he got last Christmas 2014). The boys gave Owen a drone. That was a HIT!!! Owen has loved every minute of flying it. The drone has 9 lives because Owen has gotten in stuck in 3 trees, but the drone manages to come down and keep flying.

Owen took the boys to Belk to get my Christmas gift. The each picked out earrings for me. Owen said they new exactly what to get me. Andrew picked out pearl earrings and Sam picked out garnet ones. I LOVE them and will keep them close to my heart always.

My parents were in town and I love that they come to our house for Christmas. It is so special to me. We had egg and sausage casserole (becoming a tradition) and grits for breakfast.

For lunch we went to Owen's parents and had a nice time with them and Abby.

All in all...it was a fun Christmas.

Christmas Eve and Birthday 2015

It has become a tradition to make red beans and rice for Christmas Eve and for Sam's birthday. Sam requested cheese cake for his birthday dessert (need to write that story down next).

My parents came into town and we all went to mass. Aha joined us as well.

After mass we came home to celebrate our little four year old.

The boys left our cookies and three kinds of milk (strawberry, chocolate and regular) for Santa. They wanted to see what kind of milk he liked the best. Santa only drank the chocolate milk - that was the winner.

Sam is now 4!!!

Our baby boy is 4 years old now. He was so excited for this event. We talked about it all the time. We have been planning his birthday party for months. Sam did not tell us what he wanted for his birthday. Andrew got him an 18 wheeler truck full of farm animals to play with. Owen and I got him a camping play set...complete with man, big truck, side by side and deer. We also gave him a Bat Cave - similar to the Power Ranger one Andrew got for his birthday.

Sam wanted pancakes for his birthday breakfast. My parents were here so they celebrated with us.

Sam is one of a kind. He loves his family something fierce. Andrew is his best friend. He is a tough kid but also very loving and sensitive. He loves an adventure...but only if his family is right beside him.

Sam loves milk and cheese. He also likes all things sweet. He is into super heroes, power rangers, hot wheels, and lego blocks. Sam is a doer...he is a player...he is a thinker. Sam colors very well and stays in the line. He likes bedtime books, but listens while playing with a little man in his bed. Sam likes stuff animals, but would rather have power rangers or army men in his bed a night.

When he became 100% potty trained, Sam was able to pick out something he wanted. He picked a super soft super hero blanket. That is the item that he wants to sleep with and take on road trips. It is his favorite.

Sam wants to wear shorts all day - every day - even in cold weather. It has been interesting getting him pants during the cold days. He likes to get dressed himself. He loves dry fit clothes.

Sam has a sense of humor. He makes jokes all the time. He also has the best facial expressions. We are so blessed to have this little guy in our lives.

He is also a momma's boy...which melts my heart every day. :)

Happy 4th Birthday Samuel!!!

Fun Christmas PJ pictures 2015

Aha and Mick bought the boys these cute Christmas pjs for their Christmas card. The boys had fun taking pictures and Owen and I absolutely LOVE these pictures.