Christmas 2011, part two

We loaded up and headed to church where we took communion as a family. I love this time together with just our family at the alter, but let’s be honest, we had two toddlers in tow, I was planning our nearest escape route. Bates was his typical well mannered self, and Brodie, well, folks, Brodie knocked it out of the park. He knelt with Uncle Chase and kept his hands folded (with some assistance at a few points) the entire prayer (which isn’t short, Dr Ken is a tad, shall we say, long winded ) Brodie was on his best behavior and it was all I could do not to laugh when he was cutting his eyes all around and looking at Dr Ken like “comon’ already!”

After Communion it was off to MawMaw and PawPaw’s for dinner and presents, and a ton of pictures of course!

Uncle Anna and Chase (and Mary Claire!)

Mandi spent a great deal of time trying to bribe Bates to like her and give her a kiss.

William and Gray, as goofy as they come

And I come back from the other room to find my children with no clothes on and these pictures on my camera. I honestly have no idea.

Time to get measured on the door. A favorite tradition. Too bad my children had no clothes on!

Time to open presents, part one. We do presents in two parts. Part one for the out of towners who leave when we go to church. Which means, PawPaw, time to wake up!

Who likes Cranberry Cosmos?

More presents!

Katherine wanted to keep a close eye on her presents.

Trying to get a picture of the two of us. Sometimes it’s easier to take one of the boys, sheesh.

Then off to church! Nick stayed at MawMaws with the boys. It was already past bedtime, and well, two toddlers in an hour and half church service just is no fun for anyone sitting around us!

Then back to MawMaw and PawPaw’s for Presents Round Two.

These four were so cute all piled on the couch together. Bates and Brodie just want to do whatever the big boys are doing and William and Gray are so sweet to them and include them!

William made Gray a lacrosse blanket and Gray was overly excited about it! He gave William a big ole hug and Bates jumped right on top to be included too!

Mom and I got gloves you can wear when using your iphone. Here she is wearing her gloves and taking a pictures of me taking a pictures of her!

After a stop at the Hornsby’s to see our second family (HI ROBYN!) it was home to get the boys in the bed so Santa could come. It was a late night, the boys didn’t go to sleep until after 10, but they hung in there like champs.

And, I’m just now realizing that while I do take a ton of pictures, and trust me, you are only seeing the highlights. I need to do a better job of intentionally taking pictures of people. Sorry to everyone who was there but didn’t make it to the blog! I’ll do better, promise!

Round three up next, here comes Santa Claus!