CHRISTMAS SURPRISE!!!

Christmas morning

 our boys woke up to find this brand new door on our stair landing.

Of course it had a big red bow on it!

They were in awe of what could be behind the door...

A new playroom!!!!

I had a hard time fitting everything in one camera shot, 

 there is a fire pole and a ladder on the other side.

This door is a closet and there is also another door which leads into the backyard.

Inside the firehouse

As soon as we set up Brooks' bed in the boys' bedroom we were really wishing we had a third room so the kids could have a place to play. 

We had talked about converting part of the garage into a playroom for awhile. 

It was sometime in early September my cousin, Brad, the owner of Harmony Homes, 

was over and we got talking about different ways we could make this happen. 

After coming up with a plan we realized it would be finished a couple weeks before Christmas. 

We had planned on doing this project before and the timing all worked out just in time for a Christmas surprise!!!

We ended up taking the back half of our second car garage and

 framed two walls and sheet rocked the space underneath the stairs to create our playroom. 

It worked out great because we still have most of our garage and more space for the kids to play.

Definitely a win, win!!!

We had so much fun putting this project together and are so grateful for my cousin, Brad, and all his help! We could not have done this without his help and creative ideas! 

Justin and I would put the boys to bed and go work while they were asleep. 

The door on the landing was the last thing that got done. The boys knew there was some work going on the garage but did not think much of it. 

We all used the door in the backyard to get inside so the boys could not see what was going on. 

The boys LOVED it Christmas morning. Connor kept saying how awesome it was. 

Unfortunately, Justin and Connor had the flu pretty bad on Christmas so I was happy to get any kind of reaction out of Connor.

We had kept this project a secret from everyone and had fun showing off what the boys got for Christmas. 

My mom asked Connor if Santa gave him the playroom. I was kinda waiting to see what Connor would say because we really did not clarify who/where it came from. 

Connor replied, No, it was not Santa, my Dad built this for me because he loves me!! SO SWEET!!!

So bring your kids and come play!!! It is awesome!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BROOKS!

Happy 2nd Birthday to my cute little Brooks!!!!

We celebrated by having a snowman breakfast with some friends.

Justin made it home from work just in time for the celebration-he unexpectedly got off early so that was a fun Birthday surprise!

(Thanks to pinterest for the great idea.)

Brooks was so excited for his Birthday cake 

Could anything be cuter than this?

After he blew out his candle I asked him if he made a wish and he said, "YEP!!"

We went to the Grand America Hotel that evening to see their window display and ginormous gingerbread house made by their chef!

The boys LOVED it!

These monster windows were so cute! The monsters would walk up and look at us through the windows. Brooks loves monsters so this was especially fun for him.

He was even wearing his monster hoody!

It was such a great day and I am so grateful to be a mom to Brooks! 

He weighed 22 pounds at his doctor's appointment a couple days after his Birthday. 

He is a small little guy :)

Sleeping well after a fun day! Lately, the boys have been sleeping on the floor in my room. 

All the christmas hype has been getting to them.

They always snuggle up together and I think it is so cute!

HAPPY NEW YEAR

"I said to a man who stood at the gate of the year, give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown. He replied, go out into the darkness and put your hand into the hand of God.  That shall be to you better than light, and safer than the known way."

-From the King's Message

December  25, 1939

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Can you guess what Santa brought Connor?

Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! 

WHAT WE DO ON SUNDAYS

This is what we do after church...

We play with the Christmas advent calendar

play with the "little people" nativity set

play with the Santa night light

on and off, on and off

we try on hats

so much to do when you're one!

THE MAGIC IS BACK

I have always been crazy about the holidays, 

but at some point after the "Santa Clause" stage Christmas lost its magic. 

 It was always fun, but it didn't seem as magical as it once was.

Last night it was a blizzard outside and I was getting ready for Thanksgiving. 

 I decided it would be fun to let Connor set up his Christmas tree.  

He was so particular about where to put the ornaments, so excited.  

When we finished decorating the tree he clapped and said "oh pretty".

He was thrilled to show Justin when he got home from work, and I keep finding him sitting in his room gazing at the tree.  

I can honestly say that magic feeling is finally back. 

 Oh how I've missed it, and oh how excited I am for the fun times to come!

After decorating the tree we were having so much fun, we decided to get an early start on wrapping our Christmas gifts.  Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and I'm excited for the holidays to officially begin.  Hope you have a safe, fun holiday!