Benny's Perfect Nutella Cookie Pizza

Bennett loves to cook so when I saw the library was holding a cooking contest I had to enter Bennett. He also loves pizza, cookies, bananas and Nutella. What better way to combine all those things than the Perfect Nutella Cookie Pizza? It's perfect because it kinda looks like him, freckles and all. We even made a pizza box to go with it.
Sadly he did not win but he was happy when I told him we get to go home now and eat his pizza.  We also had fun reading books about planets and taking an impromptu space mission to the moon and riding imaginary roller coasters to pass time.
And his Pizza was delicious ;)

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

I got Casey's stocking done this year (big sigh of relief).

Bennett's (obviously) stocking

Our "mantle" there's actually a fire place behind that wall, previous owners just plastered over it for some reason. We told Ben that it will magically appear again when Santa comes since we still have the chimney.

Home made Belgian Waffles Christmas Eve morning and Jeff and I were good and didn't eat any.

Candy canes and Angry Birds

We watched a few of our favorite Christmas movies, Ralphy and Randy remind us of Bennett and Casey, especially now that Casey's hair is cut.

Coming out into the living room Christmas morning.

half awake

Bennett's present from Santa. We told him he was too young for a remote control helicopter but I guess Santa thought differently. He wanted this so bad.

Casey's present from Santa, a Cars race track. I love his sleepy face.

The first presents opened from mom and dad.

Casey has decided to potty train himself so Santa brought him training pants in his stocking. We are so proud of him! We really haven't done anything to encourage him to do it but he's decided it's time to be a big boy.

Christmas at Nana's

A couple of cuties with fake smiles.

There's some real ones.

Casey in his Toy Story Tent, he loves it!

playing with bokeh 

Not a baby any more. Love those buns!

Casey really looks like Bennett here.

We had lots of fun with cousins

The boys

It truly was the most wonderful time of our year. We have been through so much this year, it's an understatement to say it was nice to celebrate Christmas with all that behind us this year. It was completely different than last Christmas. And we are even more excited to see what this New Year will hold for us. I saw a quote on Pinterest :

 "Things don't go wrong and break your heart so you can become bitter and give up. They happen to break you down and build you up so you can be all that you were intended to be." Charles "Tremendous" Jones.

That's exactly what has happened to our family this past year. We are stronger than ever in our marriage and relationship with our kids and other family.  We are constantly reminded of the importance of living your life to the fullest, making it known to those you care about how much you love them, being grateful for all the simple and small things, forgiving and not holding grudges because life is short and it's just not worth it. We had an eye opening experience that has allowed us to stand back and look at our life and reevaluate how we are living it. I'm happy to say we haven't made many changes.

Here are some snap shots of our Christmas this year:

Making Christmas crafts with Grandma.

We said goodbye to Casey's "hippie hair".

We had fun making our Christmas card photo, here's a few out takes.

We hope everyone had a Merry Christmas we wish you all a healthy, happy New Year!!

Benny boy is 5 years old today! Five years ago today we were waiting in the hospital for what seemed forever watching Christmas movies like Home Alone and Muppet Christmas Carol.  The song "It Feels Like Christmas" will forever remind me of him coming into the world. What an adventure it has been since then!
Bennett I can't believe I get to be your mommy. You are such an awesome boy and I've loved watching you become the little person you are with all your silliness, individuality, caring, love, funny little sayings, sleep hugs ;), peanut butter and jelly sandwiches hugs. I just love you kiddo!
Some things you've enjoyed this year are:
Angry Birds (playing it as I type this)
Super Mario Brothers
Lego Star Wars, Batman and Pirates of the Caribbean
Starting Preschool - you are so SMART!
Spending lots of time with cousins and visiting Jaxon in Washington 2x
First Swim Lessons, you're a natural in the water!
Going to the Enchanted forest for the first time
Favorite foods: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo, Belgian Waffles and yogurt parfaits from McDonalds.
Sharing a room with your little brother
Getting your first dog, Lucy
telling knock-knock jokes
I can't wait to see what this next year holds for you little guy! I love you like a peanut butter sandwich! ;)