I know original title, but it is what it is...
We had a great Christmas this year. Zack really got excited for everything Christmas. My favorite picture of him was when we were setting up the christmas tree. We hadn't finished putting on the lights. He set his chair right in front of the tree and just looked at it. Then in a soft voice he said... "Beautiful". It really melted my heart.
And because I absolutely love this picture of Gavin I just had to post it (even though he'll hate it later)
Last year we didn't even try to do anything Santa with Zack because I just knew he would scream. This year we talked the Jolly guy up and Zack wasn't afraid to see him at all. First we had our Ward Christmas Party were after standing in line for what seemed like forever Zack finally got to sit on Santa's lap. Gavin actually did pretty well but I don't think he knew what was going on until after all was said and done.
For the Ward Christmas party my friends and I got asked to decorate for the party. I had mixed feelings about it. Excited because I love planning parties. Nervous because that was alot of responsibility for us. It all turned out great. We sold Poinsettes weeks before to help decorate the tables. Everyone who bought one got to take one (or how many they bought) home with them. We then used what little budget we had to buy wrapping paper and bows to decorate with. Alot of people lent us christmas trees to decorate the gym with as well. We even arranged for a family to do the Nativity while the Bishop read the Christmas Story. We then arranged for Santa to come to the party as well. It all worked out amazingly! I know it sounds weird but the past few years our ward hasn't really done much in the Christmas department for the Ward Christmas dinner so this was a huge change!
We also went to see Santa at the mall. Zack doesn't really do lines so my mom entertained him while Gavin and I stood in line. Zack was very excited when he saw Santa coming into the mall. We didn't have to wait too long in line because we got to Santa's corner about 1/2 hour before it opened. When it was finally our turn Zack walked right in and sat on the big guys lap. Not really sure if he talked to him because I tried to get Gavin to sit on Santa's lap and as you can see from the picture... it didn't go to well.
Christmas Eve we went to my dad's house for Christmas. It was alot of fun. With yummy food, gift exchange and games! (that's right I forgot my camera...)
Christmas morning was a lot of fun. We invited my mom and Gordan and Bob's parents over to watch the boys open their presents. Zack didn't wake up early so in order to have him awake when everyone got here we had to wake him up. He was a little groggy but when we told him Santa had come he got really excited and ran down the hall. Right to the front door, where he looked outside for Santa. It was funny because I wondered if Zack really understood what was going to happen on Christmas. I kind of figured that he was thinking Santa was ACTUALLY going to be there with presents. He doesn't quite understand the magic involved yet. But he was excited for all the presents that had appeared underneath our tree!
And no Christmas is complete without a pile of wrapping paper!
After we opened all our presents we got dressed and went to my Grandma's house where we spent the remainder of the day. We hung out, opened presents, ate, and celebrated Christopher's birthday.
It really was an amazing Christmas! I love that we have such a close family and are able to spend the holiday's with each other. I know that each year is just going to get better with the boys. I just love the holiday season!!
He's even learned how to change the TV so it's in DVD mode and knows how to load the DVD player and get everything ready for a movie. So word to anyone that babysits him, we no longer have to teach others how to get the movies going because the litte stinker can do it all by himself! Zack also loves to play Tent. He learned this from his Grandma and loves it. Any time I'm under a blanket he has to get "in my tent". Sadly he's even tries to get underneath my dress on Sunday's saying "I in your tent".... um yea! 
Zack is also always getting into my scrapbook supplies. Do you know how many markers I've lost because of that stinker! Oh well, it's a worthy cause and as long as they don't end up on my wall it's okay I guess. So I bought some paper and saftey sisors for him. I wanted to try to have a little craft time with him while gavin slept and also work on his colors. So far he's only interested in cutting. I have to keep reminding myself that he's only 2 and doesn't need to learn everything in a day. 
Zack's newest hobby is to rearrange my cupboards. Sometimes I just stand back and watch to see what he'll do. I know it's not good for him to get up on the counters... bad momma! But it is funny because he'll get a rag and look at me and say "I cleaning mom". 
So to say Zack is a handful is a huge understatement, but I love that little kid. He's such a good big brother and he's getting to the age where he is trying to teach Gavin how to play with his toys. I'll hear him in his room trying to show Gavin stuff, it's so cute. Of course Zack also likes to shut his door so Gavin can't get in and I can hear Gavin banging on the door to get in, but hey what are big brothers for? Potty training is getting a lot better. He's having fewer accidents and we are even venturing out with just underware on and coming home dry. Of course I still bring back up pants and undies, but it's a process (a very long process). He'll even taken his diaper off when we've gotten him ready for bed and go potty by himself. It's progress and hopefully we'll be out of diapers for good soon! (he only wears diapers at nights and church now)
