Atkisson Family Christmas 2009

The Christmas Season was, once again, a busy, but wonderful, time for our family. Around here we try to not set the focus on gifts that are to be received, but instead the importance of being with those you love, and doing family centered activities. Our version of celebrating is very low key, which I think fits the personality of our little family of 4 just perfectly!!

What better way to share some of what we did, than through pictures?!?! So here goes;

Christmas 2009, a pictorial review:

Rhylan's School Concert

Singing Jingle Bells

Several of the kids from the preschool performing a song

After the concert, the children were surprised with a visit from Santa and Mrs. Claus

Mother's and More Christmas Party

My mom's group hosted a party, which Santa also attended- and brought each child a gift.

Rhylan opening his gift from Santa- he was so excited to get his very first game!!

Reindeer Games

Brayden and Rhylan making Reindeer Sandwiches for dinner

The finished product!

Reindeer faces made from each of their hands/feet

The Way of the Lights

We took the boys to the Way of the Lights, a seasonal celebration at Our Lady of the Snows Shrine. They loved looking at the lights, playing in the kid's area, seeing decorated trees, and most of all.......

Riding a Camel!!!

Gingerbread House

This year's Gingerbread house making

Christmas Eve

Church wasn't until late in the evening this year (the Children's service was a couple weeks earlier), so rather than eating after church, the boys made dinner beforehand. On the menu this year were Snowman Pizzas!

While the pizzas were baking, we exchanged a few gifts from each other

Then it was off to church, and bed, so that Santa could come and visit!

Christmas Morning

One of the best things about being a parent is experiencing a child's joy on Christmas morning. It is like nothing else to see how they believe in the magic and wonderment of it all, hear the squeals of laughter, and share a morning full of so much love!

The boys first making their way into the front room and seeing what was there

Brayden (once again this year) helping show Rhylan what is in his stocking before ever even looking at his own gifts.

Rhylan exclaiming "Thomas Train Table! Santa give me Thomas Train Table!!"

Brayden making his way over to his loot; a Lego Table, and lots of sets to build on it!

Two happy boys on Christmas Morning!

Atkisson Family Christmas

We celebrated with Jason's side of the family the following day.

Christmas in Rockford

And finally making it to celebrate with my side of the family

Ian at 6 months

I can't believe how quickly our little nephew is growing..... and I may be biased, but I think he only gets cuter by the day!

Winter Party

Jason's new office hosted their Winter Holiday Party at Busch Stadium. We figured that it would be nice, no matter what, but we were very surprised to get there and find out that we were actually dining in the Cardinal's locker room!! Jason was like a kid in a candy store. Our escort walked us through the inner hallways of the stadium, and brought us to a doorway, and said "hang your coats in whichever player's locker you would like". We were right across from the general manager's office, which we got to see, and went on a tour of the stadium - to places the public never sees. At the end of the lovely evening, one of the people working the event told our group that we were only the second group of people to have been allowed in the locker room in the stadium's history. Needless to say, that made an already wonderful night a perfect one for the #1 Cards Fan in our family!!!

Brayden's Room

Brayden's room was our next room to get finished. He chose to stick with his space theme, but added the touch of a globe/space fan, and matching wall decals.

Teaching the Meaning of Thanksgiving

Brayden has a bear that tells the entire Thanksgiving Story. We also have a Tee Pee (part of the whole "Peter Pan birthday extravaganza"!). So, what do you get when a 6 year old comes up with a plan to use the 2 things together? Why, him teaching his little brother all about the First Thanksgiving, of course!!!!

Chief Talks-A-Lot and his right hand man, Little Bull Head, hanging out in the tee pee and listening to the story.

Playroom

The boys are so excited to have a room (beside their's) to play in- we made it one of our top priorities to get that room finished first, as we attempt to settle in and make the new house a home. They chose to go with a castle theme - I decided to be boring and leave the walls off white incase they change their mind in a few years!