Winter Break and Christmas Date

I took the day off of work today because the Smileys spent the night last night. It was a really nice day of getting stuff done, hanging with the boys and seeing them be able to hang with their friends. 

D-man helping me make cookies 

Some "snowball" in the open space 

This evening, D-man had a basketball clinic, so T-man and I had a Christmas date. We went to Boulder for Smashburger (one of T-man's favorite) and a bit of Christmas shopping. When we were headed to the store, T-man spotted a sign for "GameStop" and he was SO excited (he got a gift card to this store from his friend for his birthday, but had never been).  So we were able to go walk around and check things out so he can spend his $$ after the New Year. 

When we walked out of the store, he stated, "That is a cool store." It was fun to be able to experience it with him for the first time. The rest of our trip was really fun as we picked out gifts for family members. Fun to get out and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the holidays - especially with my Christmas date. 

Smashburger! 

He loved checking out all the merchandise 

Star Wars

A great way to kick off the holiday break - Star Wars! We caught the 12:45 showing with the Smiley boys. We all REALLY enjoyed the movie. We then watched the Broncos lose and then enjoyed a delicious meal and time with friends. 

T-man ran into a friend and got to sit with him for the movie 

Star Wars is everywhere! 

6 Points!

Today was T-man's final basketball game of the fall season. He was playing very aggressively and had 6 points - his best game of the season! It's a great group of boys and fun to watch them develop in their skills and basketball acumen. 

Getting medals from coach Perry m

With our little shooter 

Snow, Sick, and Shoveling

A fun day at home with the boys even though D-man was sick. T-man kept busy with Legos, a science experiment, played with his new birthday gifts and did a bit of homework. He (of course) also played Xbox and watched some videos. D-man was feeling rotten enough that movies were all he did. 

I got some work done and found time to do an hour+ of shoveling. I treated myself to a 4:00 beer after my efforts. A nice day to be snuggled up with my two boys. 

Sick kiddo - poor guy 

Science experiment 

Shoveling.....,

Games 

1000 POINTS!

One of the fun things about T-man's birthday party was that he landed on 1000 points playing one of the video games. Even better? His brother was the one to share it with him! (And he was able to cash out for nice prizes). A great treat for the birthday boy! 

Party People!

We It's been a weekend of celebration for the  T-man. We surprised T-man with a doughnut cake Saturday morning before his basketball game. 

We then headed to Lakewood for 2 basketball games for D-man and followed with a family birthday dinner at Casa Bonita. The boys LOVE this place and Marshall and I just embrace the cheesy. 

After a neighbor's holiday party on Saturday night, we woke up and partied it up with T-man and 13 friends at Chipper's Lane with bowling, laser tag and video games. These parties are exhausting for me and Marshall, but T-man and his friends had a fun time (and that is what matters). Happy birthday to our little guy (who is not so little anymore)! 

Last Day of Being Eight

It is hard to believe that we will no longer have an 8 year old in our house as of tomorrow. Fortunately, no matter how big T-man gets, his kind heart and infectious personality still fill you up. He's always there for a hug and always wants to make sure you are ok. No matter how big he gets, I hope he retains these qualities. In the last year, whenever I say "I love you," he then says, "I love you more." I'm pretty sure that isn't possible. 

We started the birthday celebration tonight with a trip to downtown Louisville for pizza and ice skating. It was a nice winter evening full of laughter, smiles, and love. I love you more T-man. 

D-man convinced T-man to walk to school with him

Lucky Pie (and root beer) for dinner 

Enjoying the winter skate 

Brothers messing around - love that they still do that 

Family and Traditions

A couple good reminders of what the holidays are about. 

1) Fun family pics from Thansgiving weekend. Thanks to Matthew for sending them over. 

2) Teaching T-man about traditions. I told him a couple stories and then he wrote one down in his own words. He thought the story was pretty funny.  

Translation: My mom ate oyster stew out of a can on Christmas Eve. Blah! My Mom didn't like the soup. My Pop liked the soup. My Pop likes fishing so my Mom now eats fish chowder on Christmas Eve. 

Tree (and House) Trimmings

The house is finally ready for Christmas. The tree is trimmed, the village is up, and the house is sporting the lights. Marshall and I enjoyed happy hour with friends and a neighborhood holiday party (sans kids) on Saturday night and the wrapped up the weekend attending the cookie decorating party and shopping for kids less fortunate than we are.

Loved that they still helped 

Decorating the hoop 

A family affair 

Cookies! 

The finished product 

4th Annual Louisville Parade of Lights

Three years ago this week, we moved into this house. And three years ago this week,  we attended our first Parade of Lights so this event has a special place in my heart.

T-man on the right 

Yup - I was Monty again 

Holiday time in Louisville 

Santa

Happy holidays! 

Holiday Spirit

One down side to traveling over Thanksgiving (and getting sick on the return) is finding time to decorate for Christmas. D-man and I (T-man was at basketball) made some pretty good strides tonight with garland and lights. This weekend (no basketball games!) we will ALL do the tree and the village. I love that the boys still want to help. 

The boys are also enjoying the digital Advent calendar that Gramma Claudia gives them each year - another fun holiday tradition now in the Peavy household. 

Decorating the church windows for the calendar