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This year the boys got to celebrate Christmas with both sets of grandparents, as well as Aunt Becca and Uncle Sean. When we told the boys a couple months ago that Nana and Papa would be joining us for Christmas, Quinn said they couldn’t come. When asked why, he said, “because there won’t be any room on the couch!” (on Christmas morning) We assured him that some of us could sit on the floor so there would be room for everyone on Christmas morning. So the next week when Quinn was talking to Nana on the phone, he was telling her about opening presents on Christmas and said, “Nana, you and Papa have to sit on the floor.” At least he quit telling them they couldn’t come!

Of course, he was very excited when it came time for them to arrive, and they got to experience all of our Christmas traditions!

Quinn put the last ornament on the Advent Calendar:

We opened our stocking stuffers (Eric got the coal this year!):

Then we had breakfast (thanks for the new waffle iron, Santa!!!), and finally we opened gifts from under the tree:

What a great look!

After the dust settled (though there was still wrapping paper everywhere!) the boys tried out their new Hungry Hippos game with Aunt Becca and Uncle Sean:

Decorating gingerbread houses with the MOMS Club kids…

Playing outside in the snow…

Taking Nana and Papa to La Salette to see the lights. Within minutes of arrival, the boys discovered a carousel and had to try it out…

It was pretty cold so we were all bundled up!

Quinn reminded us to light the candles each night for Hanukkah! The boys also received some fun gifts from Uncle Scott and Aunt Marsie. Quinn got a cool RC Wall-E toy. And the Elmo toy has been a source of lasting entertainment – the other day Elmo told Miles “I love you” and Miles gave Elmo a big hug – so cute!

The boys had a great time decorating the tree this year! Miles hasn’t quite figured out how to hook the ornaments on yet, but still had a good time (and you’ll see why in a moment!) Grandma and Grandpa came over to help us, too. Here’s Grandma helping them sort out all of the train ornaments:

Miles spent lots of time running the trains before they made it onto the tree!

Here Quinn shows off his VERY decorated tree branch!

And the boys didn’t really want to pose for the camera once the tree was complete!

Quinn participated in an after-school karate program during October, and today they had a demonstration/graduation ceremony at the karate school. We got to watch while the students demonstrated what they had learned, and then they each got to break a board, and get a certificate and their white belt. I think my favorite part was when the school owner was having the group come to attention and all the kids said “Yes, Ma’am!” instead of “Yes, Sir!” There were a lot of giggles about that – clearly they had become accustomed to having a female instructor!

Here’s Quinn standing at attention…

…receiving his certificate and white belt…

…and click here to see a video of Quinn breaking his board!

And then everyone got to have chocolate chip cookies – how could we have a bad time when chocolate chip cookies are involved?