December 24th...Brett's FIFTH Birthday!!

I am still in total shock that Brett is now FIVE YEARS OLD!!! Each year just goes by faster and faster, and I miss my baby that wanted to snuggle all the time! I love watching him develop into his own unique person though - and really - he truly amazes me in one way or another every day. Not to brag, but he's a pretty smart cookie! He is also funny, sensitive, creative, and gives the best hugs and kisses around :-) Oh how I love him so!

The week leading up to Brett's birthday was pretty rough, for both of us. We were in bed for four days straight with the flu - chills, body aches, fever, and absolutely NO energy. Then finally, a couple days before his birthday, our fevers went away and we started to have a little more energy (or at least I did). Brett was still very lethargic and had a stuffy nose and awful cough. I started to worry that he might have pneumonia, so the day before his birthday I took him the doctor. The doctor took one look at him and said "I see why you brought him in! He doesn't look like he just has a cold. He looks sick". After listening to his lungs before and after a breathing treatment, she sent us straight to the hospital to get a chest X-ray. When the technician came to the waiting room to get Brett, she asked if we would wait there while she took him back. Kyle and I looked at each other, thinking the exact same thing...he's only 5! How scary would that be for him to go through those big doors without his mom or dad!? I asked if I could at least walk back with him to the room, and she reluctantly agreed. I waited in the hall while Brett had his X-rays done, and I could hear them telling him all sorts of ways to position his body, and to hold his breath each time they took a picture. I could not have been prouder of Brett in that moment. He didn't feel good, was exhausted, and then had to go into a strange room, with strange people and follow all these strange directions....and he did it all without one complaint. Good news came a couple hours later from his doctor....his test came back negative! I could tell she was surprised (in a good way!)...and boy were we relieved! It was just a bad virus that would hopefully soon pass. Throughout the day (including at the doctor's office) Brett would sadly look up at as and say "I don't want to be sick on my birthday". Hearing him say that just broke my heart! He is just always sick on his birthday, and it's getting really old!

After putting Brett to bed on the eve of his birthday, Kyle and I went to town decorating the living room with streamers and balloons, wrapping his presents, and hoping that he would wake up feeling a little better.

Jingle Bell even got in on the birthday action! He had a special birthday note for Brett, along with some yummy chocolates :-)

Brett eagerly ran into the living room as soon as he woke up. He was still not himself, but definitely feeling good enough to open presents!

His big gift this year was a lego remote control train set. He was in love!

And of course, as soon as all the gifts were opened, Kyle had to help put it together! Brett has gotten so good at putting lego sets together himself, but this one was a little more challenging!

Madelyn wanted in on the fun too!

And Ta Da! Here it is!! Can you tell he was happy?! :-)

My parent's came over later that afternoon to celebrate with us and give Brett their gifts.  Brett was pretty worn out by then, but still attempted to smile for us :-)

He got a cool paper airplane book and the game "Mousetrap".

Little did my parents know, they would play the game over... and over... and over again! Brett loved it!

After eating Jet's pizza for dinner (the birthday boys's request), it was time for some Birthday cake! I love how Brett is covering up his mouth with excitement as Kyle brings the cake to him. 

Happy Birthday to YOU, happy birthday to you..

Happy Birthday dear Brett, happy birthday to YOU! :-)

Then it was time to make a wish and blow out the candles!

And although December 24th is now Brett's Birthday, it still is Christmas Eve too. That means that there is something very important that must be done before going to bed....leaving out milk and cookies for Santa! Brett also left him a special note and a picture he drew :-)

It was a great day of celebrating our favorite little boy. We love you, Brett Zachary!!!

Christmas Cookies and a Gingerbread House!

Every time I've tried making sugar cookies from scratch, they have been a crumbly mess! Until this year that is :-) Kyle asked his mom for her recipe and went to town one night baking and baking and baking! Well, they were a little crumbly, but way better than the one's I have tried to make in the past! Brett was so excited to help, and his beautiful smile rarely left his face :-) 

Our little baker in action :-)

Now to the best part...decorating them with frosting and sprinkles!

More sprinkles, please!

"Yummy!"

Then last night it was time for more decorating fun....Gingerbread style! So what if the whole thing comes in a box...right? :-) 

"Ta Da!"

So many fun things to do this time of year!!

Annual Christmas Party at the Lokers!

A couple weekends ago was our annual Christmas party with our Chelsea friends at Laura and Bills house. And as always, we all had a blast together!! It's crazy to think that Brett has known these kids since he was a baby/toddler...and now look at them all! We may not see these wonderful families as often as we would like, but no matter how long it is between our visits, we always start right back up where we left off :-) 

After eating dinner and going to the holiday parade downtown, the kids eagerly sat in front of the beautiful Christmas tree, waiting for their gifts :-) What a great bunch of kids!

Then it was time for presents!! The boys were stoked because they each got a "Switch and Go Dino". Those little things kept them busy the rest of the night!

Lucas and Brett were way too busy to look at the camera for a picture (and Kevin too!)! 

Next, the kids got on their Christmas PJ's and watched Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer. As you can see, the boys were still completely enthralled in their new toys! 

Smile! :-)

After the movie, the kids ran off to play some more. When I went to check on them a little while later, Brett instantly exclaimed "No adults aloud! This room is for kids only!" Yep, it's already starting. Before I left, I quickly took these pictures of them in action :-) I wonder what they were saying??

Busy bees!

Heidi got special cuddle time with Nolan later in the night, and I couldn't resist taking a few pictures of that cutie pie with his mama :-) So sweet!

Love his smile! Also, crazy to think that next year he will be running around with the big kids! 

Thanks to Laura and Bill for hosting such a fun party! Maybe next year I will remember to get a shot of all the adults - ha!

A Visit with Santa Claus!

Santa came to visit Chelsea for Hometown Holiday's last weekend, and Brett couldn't wait to see him! All day long he kept asking, "Is it time to see Santa? Can we go now?!". I loved his enthusiasm, but also new that once the time actually came to see the big burly man with the white beard, his attitude might chance. That's what happened last year. But not this year...this year his excitement continued, and the magic and wonder in his eyes never left his sweet face. 

The train depot was absolutely packed while waiting to see Santa. We were only able to get in a couple crafts because there was just no room to move! It was pure craziness, and as soon as we walked in I wished we could turn around and walk right back out....but we didn't. We stayed with our friends amidst the complete chaos and let Brett soak it all in. After doing the crafts, we realized we still had about an hour wait to see Santa. Brett's friends, Leo and Hazel, had come with us so their parent's could go to a holiday party, and I could tell they were ready to go. I told Brett about the long wait and that we could just see Santa at the mall another day - but there was no deterring him - he had his mind set on seeing Santa and was willing to wait as long as it took. Kyle took Leo and Hazel back to our house, and I stayed with Brett while we waited...and waited....to see the Mr. Claus. Brett confidently went through the line, patiently waiting for his turn to be the one up there with the magical fellow known as Santa Claus :-) 

And finally, it was his turn.

First things, first. Giving Santa his Christmas list :-)

"Mmmm, what do we have here?"

"I see you want an airplane, legos, and a fire truck!"

Definitely worth the wait...definitely :-)

Christmas is in the Air!

Every year, on the weekend after Thanksgiving, we head to Urquhart's Christmas Tree Farm to pick out our Christmas tree. We absolutely love it there and always find our perfect tree :-)  And now that Brett is a little older, he definitely has his opinions on what tree he wants to take home! And practically every tree we look at is "the perfect one" as Brett says :-) So, if it were up to him we'd be in and out a lot quicker because they're all pretty magical to him. But Kyle and I? We'll find one we like right off the bat, but of course we have to keep looking in case we find one we like better...and this goes on and on for about 45 minutes until we finally get cold and realize it is time to make a decision. And I have to say, in the four years we've gotten our tree at Urquhart's, we have never once been disappointed by our choice. Their tree's are beautiful!

As soon as we found a wagon, Brett was ready to go!

The walk out to the field is one of my favorite parts...everything is so still and peaceful, and we are all filled with anticipation as to which tree will come home with us :-)

Brett was all smiles :-)

Here we are, posing in front of one of the many tree's we liked.

More searching...

Finally, The One! 

Christmas is definitely in the air at our house, and I love it!