Merry Christmas!

This was a very memorable and wonderful Christmas for us and we hope it was for you all too. Here are some of our highlights.

Christmas Eve this year was at Kev's grandparents, and yes what you are seeing is one of the highlights. Everyone enjoys a festive enchilada with your choice of egg or no egg. Delicious!

Here are the boys in their new pajamas, thanks to Grandma and Grandpa Shaw. Ty loves his! If you can't tell, they have tigers on them and now each morning he fights and cries about taking them off. He would wear them all day, everyday, if we would let him.

Here is the whole Naylor clan listening to the traditional, "Pixie in the Chimney" read by Grandma Naylor. Even Kev's brother on his mission asked for a tape of her reading this, it just wouldn't be Christmas without it.

Christmas morning at the Shaw home isn't Christmas morning without orange rolls and Toaster Strudels.
You would think this was Kev showing Ty how to use one of Ty's presents, but it isn't. Kev gets a Nerf gun every year, this is the one thing that makes it Christmas for him. I think Ty will like this tradition.

Jordan had a great Christmas too. Here he is with his blanket from Grandma Shaw. (Ty got one too.)
This was the fun we had at my parents. My dad gave my mom a lazy boy and the box was a hit. It is still being used more than anything else. We will finish Christmas with my family Friday night when they all get here, so there will be a follow up post about that.

We had a perfect Christmas this year. Ty was the perfect age and Jordo is all smiles. It was great to spend the day with family and have Kev home from work for a couple extra days! Now we can all relax a little a start planning for next year. Happy Holidays!

Four Spectacular Years!

Four years ago, today, I married my high school sweetheart, best friend and love of my life. It is amazing to think it has already been four years. We have done so much, come so far and every day has been amazing. We now have two beautiful little boys who add so much to the perfect life we have together. I know in no time it will be another four and who knows where we will be and what we will be doing then! But I do know that it will only get better.

Thanks to my wonderful husband. I love you more each day. Everday I am thankful we were married and sealed in the temple, knowing that we will not only be together for the rest of our lives, but for all eternity.

The First Snowman

On Saturday when we had a really good snow fall, Ty woke up very excited. So I decided to get over my hate for the cold and take him outside. I started bundling him up and preparing and when he was all ready, so was Kev. I told him he didn't have to, I would go, but he said he would. So they were off and they started building.
Ty helped a little, but mostly he was walking around saying, "Mom, I play in the snow! Dad, I play in the snow!" I should have kept track of how many times he said it. It was so fun watching him take it all in.
Then they were done! We had an accident with the oreo before it could get put in as an eye. Ty was so proud. When it was time to come in, he was NOT ready. I told Kev thanks for doing that, and he said, "Are you kidding? That was the first snowman with my son." He is such a great dad. Ty faithfully checked up on his snowman out the window and anytime we went anywhere or came home. Then Monday after his nap, I heard a yell, "Oh No! My snowman" So I went to see what had happened....

There he was. Ty wasn't sure what happened to his new friend. After a few minutes of talking about it, he felt better, only with the promise that when it snowed again, we could build a new one. Ty might be the only reason I like the snow this year.

The Annual Lighting Ceremony

Every year, the first Monday after Thanksgiving, Kev's parents host a "Lighting Ceremony" in their neighborhood. This has been going on for quite some time now and all the neighbors know that their Christmas lights need to be up by 7:30 that Monday night. After everyone has gathered and the hot chocolate and treats are ready, Kev's dad gives the signal. He lights a couple Whistling Pete's and everyone plugs their lights in. Then you chat and snack and it kicks the season off right. Here are a few pictures of the event.(We haven't figured out the art of flipping pictures yet- sorry) Here is Ty, I think he was headed to try to sneak a mallow meant for the hot chocolate. Do you remember in The Christmas Story when Ralphie's little brother is over bundled and can't put his arms down? Ty does.

Treats, anyone?

The only way Ty would cooperate was with hot chocolate in hand. I think Jordo was warm enough!

Merry Christmas! We hope everyone enjoys this holiday season.

I've been tagged!

I know this is a bit late, but I thought it best to do it now, or with the upcoming holidays, it might never happen. So here goes, 6 things about me. So please don't judge, six things isn't really a lot when you have so much!
1. Things like this stress me out. I always finish and then can't stop thinking about a million better things I should have put.
2. My family is my life. I love more than anything my two precious boys, Ty and Jordan, and being home with them every day makes me so happy. I am so blessed to be their mom and to watch them grow up each day.
3. I treasure alone time with my husband. With Kev going to school full time, working full time, being the executive secretary in our ward and with myself being over scouting (which is much busier than I would have guessed), two busy boys and all the day to day things, we don't get out much, just the two of us. So date nights, cuddling on the couch, even just drives when both the boys are either asleep or occupied, are very treasured times.
4. I just might be the most indecisive person ever. Which it just occurred to me is why these things are so hard. I cannot decide what to say. Kev will back me up on this. After hearing thousands of times, "I don't care, whatever you want", he deserves a medal.
5. More than anything, I want my boys to develop their own testimonies of Jesus Christ and their Heavenly Father. I believe if they have this, they can and will develop so many important attributes and traits that will shape their character.
6. I love fun things. Family parties, going out with friends, playing with my boys, watching my boys play with their dad and so many other things that make life fun.