Holiday Traditions

I wasn't sure if we were going to keep up with all of our Christmas traditions this year with a newborn in tow.  However, Fletcher's transition into our family has been so effortless we haven't missed a beat.  All traditions have been accounted for ;)

{Visiting Santa}

Rookie move...we visited the Crown Center Santa on a Sunday.  We made this mistake with Max on his first Christmas and vowed to go only on a weekday in the future...which we did the following two years.  However, I thought we could outsmart some people by arriving prior to the stores opening, but everyone else had the same brilliant idea.

Daddy and Fletch hanging out in line.

Two hours, $20 at the candy barrel and one meltdown in the toy store later...it was our turn! (thanks to Billy and Fletch holding our spot in line!)

I was totally surprised that both boys were fine with Santa this year.  Max is generally really cautious with people so I thought he'd be shy.  They both confidently asked for what they wanted.  And when Santa asked who had been a good boy...Max proudly raised his hand.

{Baby's First Christmas Ornament}

Whenever I thought of having another boy and naming him Fletcher...the nickname "Fletcher Fox" naturally followed for some reason.  It just seemed to fit.  I've been calling him my little fox since he was born.

I've made each of the kids' "First Christmas" ornaments and was excited to make Fletcher's too.  This time I got in a little over my head since my vision required sewing skills.  So I designed the fox, cut out the felt pieces and then my Gram sewed it for me :)  A team effort for our little fox's first ornament.

{12 Days of Christmas}

The boys counting all of the ornaments to hang on the tree.

 They've done a great job sharing the task of hanging an ornament each night...as long as they BOTH are able to have their hands on it at the same time.  If one takes full possession, even for a second, things escalate quickly :)

{Christmas Lights Tour}

 Getting their Christmas cookies and hot chocolate for the ride.

I barely looked at the lights because the look on their faces was my favorite part.  And Sullivan's chocolate mouth was just too cute.

It began to snow as soon as we reached Candy Cane Lane.

{The Little Tree and Christmas Books}

Busy decorating...

 Once they were finished decorating I put wrapped holiday books under the tree.  One to read each night until Christmas.  We use the same books every year and get a few new ones from the library.

 Sully loves the Llama Llama one :)

{Christmas Card Envelopes}

Our Christmas card envelopes!  This was Max's idea last year and I loved it.  The boys spent so much time and care making each envelope unique.

{Elf on the Shelf}

 They love to see the funny things the elf is up to each morning. Below he was having a sack race with his buddies...

{Handmade gifts}

Possibly my favorite tradition.  I get to spend special time with each of the guys secretly planning and creating something for the other.  They cannot wait to give each other their gifts!

Elephant Stilts for Max:

Geo Board for Sully:

They're putting the finishing touches on their projects this week :)  And they have a project they're working on together for Fletch.

The anticipation for Christmas is growing in the Murray house!

Fletcher Fox's First Month

My little fox.  How has it been a whole month?  The sound of your first cry is still ringing in my ears.

For so long I only knew you by your kicks and hiccups.  But now the little dimple in your chin and the puppy sounds you make in your sleep are a part of me.  I know you so well.

You're beginning to shake off the "newborn coma" and stare intensely at the world around you.  Taking quick little baby breaths as you soak it all in.

  You still love your sleep too, though :)

I think I might be addicted to babies...or maybe I'm just addicted to you.  Either way, I'm head over heels.

Happy one month of life, my dear one.

My whole heart, 

Momma  

Thanksgiving

We had a nice quiet Thanksgiving this year.  I was really looking forward to staying home and just snuggling with my boys for the whole day.  

There are so many things I am thankful for this season...

I'm thankful for this silly little turkey...

 And this turkey too...

I am thankful for a peaceful day full of crafts, Christmas music, movies and mimosas.  And a Dean & Deluca feast so I didn't have to cook :)

Lolli and Boobo stopped by to bring pumpkin pie and help with our craft.

I put together these little kits for the boys - tp roll, feathers, googly eyes, etc.

Such concentration.

Sullivan kept saying "Bobble, bobble" instead of "Gobble, gobble." :)

Sullivan digging in to the cranberry and brie appetizer.

Max busy personalizing our Christmas card envelopes with his drawings.

I'm incredibly thankful for the health of these three handsome boys....

 I'm thankful for the ability to see and talk to loved ones we couldn't be with...

FaceTime with our long distance family.

 How precious is my tiniest turkey?!

Thanks for the outfit Aunt Lisa!

 I am thankful for our cozy fire that we light every day in the cold winter months.

Roasting turkey.  He loves laying by the warm fire.

 I am thankful that the big brothers are so sweet and gentle with our new addition.

I am thankful for a hardworking, patient husband who I'm still head over heels in love with.  And the best father for my children I could ever ask for.

How cute are these tired turkeys?

Thanksgiving Part II was spent with my family on Saturday.

Fletcher ready to head over to Lolli and Boobo's house for Thankgiving #2!

 I am thankful for a creative family and the opportunity to share that creativity with my children...

Samantha supervising.

Working so hard on his Christmas tree.  These kind of crafts remind me of my childhood.

I am thankful for my Gram who is incredibly youthful and inspiring.

GG with her buddy :)

 I am thankful for cousins who are close and get to grow up together.  And even more on the way! :)

Watching movies in lieu of nap time.

Aside from missing many of the Murray family we had a wonderful Thanksgiving.  

We're now full speed ahead with our Christmas traditions.  Fletcher is going with the flow and keeping up well ;)  More on that next time!

Before and After

I love documenting change.  Mostly because change scares me, I think.  The present too quickly becomes the past.  And the change I see happening on a daily basis is hard to keep up with sometimes.

Taking before/after pictures allows me to face my fear of the swift passage of time, while preserving the past.  It's my therapy :)

 It's unbelievable how quickly all of these "before" pictures were replaced by the "after" photos.

BEFORE:
I had a surprise for my boys on St. Patrick's Day...

AFTER:

Their gift finally arrived to fill the onesie :)

BEFORE:

"The Proof" -  March 2013 {6 weeks}

"The Countdown" -  October 2013 {36 weeks}

AFTER:

 "The Prize" ;) - November 2013 {1 week old}

BEFORE:

Who will the lucky little one be?

AFTER:

Max and Sully thinking: "Hmm...what's the return policy on babies?" 

(Fletcher was only yawning, but the boys' reaction is hilarious :)

The boys love their new baby brother and Fletcher has taken it easy on me so far by eating and sleeping well (knock on wood).   

A lot of change around here recently, but everyone has adjusted better than I expected.