a Christmas to remember...

On Christmas eve i got a phone call that two of my very good high school friends had been in a fatal snowmobiling accident. These two guys were some of the coolest, most friendly boys. they were always happy about life and LOVED all things outdoors! i remember while having a hard day getting hugs from these two boys. i remember all the laughs, inside jokes, dances and 'deep' conversations :), and hanging out playing around the world ping pong in my parents basement! i want their families to know what amazing young men they were to everyone around them. their spirits lifted so many others up, including me. i thought so much about them this holiday season and miss and love them. may God be with their little families this season and forever! until we meet again guys, i love you...

Our little family had a fun Christmas. we were able to be surrounded by those we love and remember the humble birth of our Savior. james and i enjoyed playing 'santa' for the first time! (last year we didn't do much for the 3 month old!) we were also in our own house Christmas morning which was really fun! Christmas eve was spent with my family playing the annual 'money game'. i was a little out of it, for obvious reasons, but james helped our team immensely and we came out like bandits!!! we started the pajama tradition that so many have of new pj's on Christmas eve. i was so proud of my pj finds but james didn't want a picture (go figure, his DID have a butt flap) but don't worry, while he thought i was taking pics of bowen i got some of him too.....(to come!)

this year, dad moved the tv into the living room and we played Match Game! it was a hit!

when we got home around 11:00pm (not good for a one year old!) we let bowen stay up so he could unwrap his new PJ's! note to self: next year do this before the party! After bowen went to bed SANTA CAME!

we didn't get any pictures on Christmas morning. i really wanted to be sure and film it so we could capture bowen's face, but since i'm sure you don't want to watch 45 mins of our lil' Christmas, i'll spare you! we were all spoiled rotten! bowen got tents, books, clothes, snow boots, tractors, balls, and so much more due to both of his wonderful grandparents! but his favorite...his little carton of pepperidge farm goldfish! it was such a great morning! after opening ALL our presents we went to my parents house for lunch and more gifts!

by this time, bowen was completely overwhelmed and we found him sitting in AWW many times! my parents were so thoughtful and generous! we loved being with family! we played more games and visited and devoured a yummy ham lunch!

when we got home, james and i put together bowen's new COUPE CAR from grandma and grandpa! he was so excited. he knew EXACTLY what it was a therefore didn't have a lot of patience while we put it together. (pictures of james' pj's as promised)

bowen LOVED it!

he he he!!

this lil' man was in HEAVEN! crazy he was this happy, this late, after zero naps and way to much candy! what?....it was CHRISTMAS!

he only took minimal breaks from the car, for the tractor!

james and i ended the night with a MOVIE MARATHON! (in our matching pj's!) i was so happy to have him home for a night! (he works every night but sunday's:( )

the next morning bowen couldn't believe his eyes when he realized the day before wasn't a dream. it had in fact happened. he really did have the car of his dreams!