Christmas 2009

We had a fabulous Christmas with our family!  We are SO blessed.  Both sets of grandparents (Nana and Papaw Williams and Gamma and Pop Pop Golden) joined us which was extra special.  Santa brought lots of toys for Andrew, James, and Patrick.  Andrew said, "See I was on the good list!"

We enjoyed seeing the lights at the Gaylord Opryland Hotel on December 23.  Papaw bought a blinking Christmas light necklace for Andrew.  Andrew initally enjoyed sharing it with Patrick but was concerned when Patrick enjoyed it a little too much!

Dec. 24: Here are Santa's little helpers - Patrick (L) and James (R). 

Big Brother Andrew looked pretty cute as one of Santa's helpers too!

We enjoyed Mass on Christmas Eve.  All 3 boys were excellent.  We sat with our good friends, the Greenwalt's.  Here's a picture of Thom and Patrick at Mass.

Santa brought Andrew Cars GeoTrax.  James was more interested in the GeoTrax than some of his toys, as evidenced by him sitting in the middle of the track!  Andrew kept saying, "No baby!"

James also enjoyed playing with his activity table.

 
















Patrick liked the "Little Superstar" from Santa.  It's kind of like Baby Karoake.

Mommy and James hanging out while opening gifts with Gamma and Pop Pop Christmas afternoon.

Yeah!  More GeoTrax!  Gamma and Pop Pop gave Andrew Flo's V-8 Cafe to go with his set.

James (L) and Patrick (R) enjoy their activity table.  Notice that James' pacifier is over his shoulder.  Patrick had been trying to "steal" it (a popular game in the Golden household) and James threw it over his shoulder. 

James and Patrick tried to open one of Gamma's gifts!  Good teamwork boys!

Babies on the move!  James (L) and Patrick (R)

Santa's Lil' Helpers

Andrew had his second day of gymnastics camp (9am-12pm MTW of this week).  James has been tugging at his ears and not very happy so I took him (and Patrick) to the pediatrician.  I captured this picture on my phone -- they certainly are jolly little helpers!  James is now taking antibiotics and seems to be doing better.
3 days until Santa arrives! 

Chocolate-Covered Pretzels

Andrew and I enjoyed making chocolate-pretzels yesterday (Dec. 20).  He was an expert at the sprinkles!  Andrew thinks Santa will really enjoy the pretzels too!

Bathtime

Usually James and Patrick take their baths in the baby bathtub.  Tonight, Andrew wanted them to take their baths with him.  I didn't think all three of them in the bathtub at the same time was a good idea (yet) so Patrick went first, followed by James.  Everyone had a great time! 

Visiting Santa

We had dinner last night (12/18/09) with Santa at our church.  Andrew was SO excited to see Santa.  James and Patrick did great through dinner and afterward.  They started to get a little tired while in line for pictures and to see Santa around 8:00 PM.  We didn't "see" Santa until 8:15 PM and they were asleep.  I expected them to wake up when they sat on his lap, but they didn't.  Other kids cry when meeting Santa for the first time...mine sleep!  I love this picture though.

Andrew told Santa he wanted the Cars GeoTrax and how good he has been this year.  Afterward he said, "Mommy, Santa is a really nice man."  It was a fun evening!

I'm just talkin' to Santa

Like any young child, Andrew often asks for toys when we are shopping.  Since mid-October or so, my response has been, "You can ask for it for Christmas."  Perhaps to make sure he doesn't forget, Andrew will immediately start talking to Santa.  "Santa I want ______" and he fills in the blank with whatever is the hot item of the moment.  This dialogue with Santa continues during tv commercials, while thumbing through the Fisher Price catalogue, or if we are at a friend's house and he sees a toy he likes.  It is somewhat difficult to distinguish Andrew's conversations with Santa with a prayer.  Sometimes we'll be driving somewhere and he'll be talking in the backseat.  I'll ask, "Andrew, what did you say?"  He replies, "I'm just talkin' to Santa Mommy."  This morning, I walked into the bonus room (also known in our home as the cars room) and Andrew was again talking to Santa.  A commercial for a Barbie style center was just ending.  I said, "Andrew, are you asking Santa for the Barbie hair salon?"  He responded, "Yes, Mommy.  I asked Santa to bring you the hair place so you can fix your hair and make it beautiful."

18 days until Christmas

It's 18 days until Christmas.  We all just got back from gymnastics.  Andrew actually did a great job listening today which was fabulous.  One of his new favorite phrases is, "When I grow up..." usually followed by something he doesn't want to do.  For example, "When I grow up, I am never wearing a winter coat."  Too bad for him it is winter coat season (even in Tennessee!)  James and Patrick are doing great.  They are both getting 4 teeth (each) on the top and are struggling a little bit.  They had their first Ritz crackers last night and thought they were a new delicacy!