More Christmas Thank You's!

Xavier loves his new positioner from Auntie Meam! It has caster wheels and a supportive pad for his torso. He's only had it since Christmas, but already, Nick and I have noticed increased head and neck strength. Thank you SO MUCH for this very thoughtful, well-researched gift. Xavier is having so much fun with it - and we appreciate that and the strength he's gaining! You're the best, Auntie Meam!!



And here's Ben, modeling two gifts: his race car helmet from the Dannemillers (thank you...although, ahem, it could have been a little quieter, guys, seriously. hehe) and also one my birthday gifts from the Fluhrers (love it!) Thanks everyone!

December 26th

We hosted the big Christmas dinner and extended family celebration on December 26th. It was a great day!

Here are the boys, gearing up for everyone to come over. Xavier was thrilled, Bennett was nervous, as he always is when anything different is about to happen. He was protesting being in this photo, but I really wanted one of the boys together, no matter how badly it turned out...and Nick was admonishing Ben for not cooperating (my camera did a good job catching this split second that he was actually still...)


Xavier and Ben with cousin Alyssa. Both boys look less than excited about this, but Xavier especially loves being around her. He always smiles so sweetly at her, and likes to touch her face. Ben is interested in babies too, and is very gentle, but he doesn't stick around too long, as there are bigger fish to fry in his book ;-)


Dinner is served! Fried turkey and honey glazed spiral cut ham - yum!

Part of the family getting ready to eat dinner -

Ben opening his "table gift". Nick's family has the fun tradition of getting one small gift on your dinner plate before the food is served. Ben loves this little playdough accessory.


Relaxation time after dinner...
The grandpas with the boys:

Xavier holding Papa Paul's hand. Love in photo form.

Grandma and cousin Kathryn

The Christmas tree spilling forth its Christmas bounty ;-)


Let the wrapping paper fly!


Grandma custom made each of the boys a bathrobe to keep them warm and comfy. Thank you - these special gifts warm our hearts too :-)

Grandma and Xavier playing amidst the mild chaos.


Ben with his new workbench from Uncle Eric and Aunt Vicki (thank you!)-

Ben the airplane!


Thank you everyone, for all your generous, thoughful gifts, and most of all for the time you spent with us!

Christmas 2008

Christmas morning, both boys gave us a wonderful gift - they slept in on the same day - which NEVER happens. Nick and I woke up at about 8:15, and were so surprised at how late it was and we hadn't heard either Xavier or Ben yet. I started laughing and said - "its a Christmas Miracle!" lol.

They didn't end up waking up until about 8:45 - a miracle, indeed. We came downstairs and, low and behold, Santa had delivered presents!

Here's the boys taking in their loot under the tree:




Nick and Ben in the background, diving into Ben's stocking, and Xavier still gazing up at the tree, which he loves so much.



Santa brought Bennett socks with characters from the movie Cars, which is a favorite of his. He couldn't wait to put them on.


And here he is playing with Mack the semi-truck, also from Cars.


Xavier loves the new toy that Santa brought.


The rest of the day was enjoyed soaking in all of our new toys and enjoying each other's company. I worked from 3-11pm, so our big extended family celebration was planned for the next day...(see future post)

Pre Christmas Photos

Just a random smattering of pictures...

Xavier likes whacking people in the head when he's happy (and when he's mad - emotion just brings out the whacking, I guess, haha). He had been cold, and this hoody had just come out of the dryer - so he was all warm and snuggly with Nick, which made for one happy Xavier. Let the whacking begin! :-)

Here's Ben posing in front of the Christmas tree for me.

This one is absolutely hilarious, he may have a career in abstract modeling in his future. He said- "Wait, let me change my pose! Take a photo of this, Mom!" (He's taken to calling me "mom" instead of "mommy" lately...my little boy is growing up.)

X and B watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory...again...

I came home to the following at midnight after work on Dec 22 to this:

I asked Nick what this was all about, and he said that Ben had removed his sock that night, placed one of his matchbox cars in it, and then carefully switched his stocking for the sock. Stinkin funny!

Xavier loves to sit in his wheelchair, look at the lights on the tree, and play with his toys.


And last, but certainly not least, here's Nick and I with our new "niece", Mallory. Our best friends Will and Courtney welcomed her on Dec 17th. She joins big brother Gabe, and big sister Clara, and we love them all to bits! Congrats again guys, she's a darling little gem :-)

Christmas card photos

Here are some of what I had to choose from, when formatting our Christmas card with photos. The boys both turned into hams, and I took a ton of shots (with my new camera!)

I got a new camera!

...which I'm infinitely excited about. Here are two shots from last weekend, while trying it out:
Nick, goofing around while making us tacos:

And the boys watching Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Xavier was mid-clap in this shot - he LOVES the umpalumpas! lol

Thanksgiving 2008

Yes, I know. I only have one disappointing picture of a frying turkey symbolizing our Thanksgiving this year. However, I am very happy to report, that we had a really fun time over at Nick's parent's house. A fabulous meal followed by nice family time. It was great :-)

Total cuteness:
Nick: "Ben, I'll be going in and out of Gma and Gpa's house, because I'm going to be frying the turkey. But you've got to stay inside, because its too dangerous for you to be around."
Bennett: "What Dad? You're going to be FLYING the turkey??!?!? Like a kite? The turkey is going to be on a string??!?"

Heehee :-)

Cousin's baptism

Last Sunday, our new niece Alyssa (Nick's brother Eric's daughter) was baptized. It was a happy occasion to celebrate!

This picture totally cracks me up. Ben was hiding from us in the coat rack. He had no idea I was taking this photo.

At the reception afterwards, Xavier sat all by himself quite nicely in a folding chair. He was so proud of himself!

Grandma P, Bennett, and cousin Kathryn enjoying each other's company after the baptism.

Gymnastics

Bennett is really getting into his gymnastics class at Little Gym. They're even putting together a little routine on each piece of equipment for a "show" at the end of the semester!
The instructors there are really good at developing skills little by little. Here the kids are learning the first step of vaulting by jumping on a springboard over a jumprope.


And here he is doing a "front support" on the uneven bars.

More photos later...Ben's a natural! :-)

Leaves

One dry afternoon a couple of weeks ago, after almost all of our leaves (and our neighbors leaves that blow into our yard ;-) had fallen, we decided to make giant leaf piles to play in. And I guess we ended up cleaning up the yard in the process! Hehe.