New Years Eve.

New Years is pretty much as big of a deal as Christmas over here. The boys wake up giddy with big plans to party till midnight and blow up stuff. Even Jer is like a little boy when the fireworks come out. We went out to eat and to Yogurtland, then had a wii dance party and set off as many fireworks as we could but saved a few for the big midnight. Well, Kosty fell asleep at about 11:53 and Brayden was awake but so tired he couldn't peel himself off the couch to bang on pots and pans with me. I did it alone. Better luck next year, boys!

best gifts ever.

Top: from Brayden and Kosty. The big box had a boulder in it with a sign that said, "YOU ROCK!" 

Middle: Kosty was so so proud of his "free giftcard" that he "found on the street!" Sweet little guy thought it was $10 to Victorias secret. And then he asked me what a bra was. The girl in the picture had a really nice one ;) I just adore the way he decorated the box! "To Chelsi" haha. 

Bottom: from Brayden to me. This one has a special story behind it. There is a little journal I typed up on the day he made this purchase:

Just a little jot down about Brayden. Last night I was making pizza in the kitchen, and he was sitting across the little wall in the family room, watching me cook. When I noticed him and smiled, he said, "Mommy, I love you SO much." I'm really happy he expresses his love so much with words and actions.  It comes so easy for him. So then he noticed me crying from chopping onions and he came over and insisted on taking over. His eyes were watering too, but he kept on. Today, I was having a moody morning and yelled at the boys several times and especially Brayden for sitting around instead of getting his chores done. When he asked me a question I knew he knew about dusting, I lost my temper with him badly. I felt pretty much like a monster after that so I apologized when I calmed down. About an hour later Kosty came running inside and said, "Mommy! Brayden bought something without your permission!" I had to laugh at Mr. tattle tale & then told him that Brayden makes his own choices with his own money. I asked Brayden what he bought and he said it was a Christmas present for me (of all people--I didn't deserve anything at that point) he quickly wrapped it and put it under the tree. When I asked him where he bought it, he said a garage sale. "No actually it was a mini boutique at the house down the block"....I was surprised so I continued, "did you shop at it first and then come home and get money?" He said yes. I said "so you went back with your money and bought something, like from a cashier?" he said yes. HA! I find this so very amusing. He is the SWEETEST thing. That is all.

chopping onions for me.

Christmas.

HA! this note cracked me up. 

that middle one is such a weirdo!

I couldn't stop laughing at my Dad in this ill fitting shirt that Maria made him wear. This picture does not do it justice. The hemline was so short, so stretched out, so awkward! (it was one of those shirts that come in a tiny square & then you put it in water and it expands, FYI)

Christmas morning was awesome. This was the first year that Santa had some things unwrapped so we put up a sign not to go past the hall way before waking us. Brayden wanted a mini dirtbike and Kosty wanted a hot wheels jeep. They both got a basketball hoop and a couple other things. The rest of the morning was spent in pj's playing with toys, of course. Then at noon, we went over to the Figgins to talk to Zach who is on his mission. It was fun to be able to talk to him and see how well he is doing. He said he wasn't homesick "at all" which was sort of comforting and insulting all at the same time ;) We opened more gifts at Grandma's and spent some time there before heading over to my Dad & Maria's. We spent the next week pretty much waking up, going outside to play in pj's, coming inside to play our new favorite board game: Clue, and then repeating over again. One of my favorite memories this year was when we found this note Kosty had left for the elves a few days after Christmas. Sometimes it breaks my heart how sweet and grateful he can be. 

piano recital.

 Brayden had another Christmas piano recital. He has come a long way in a year! He begged not to wear a suit, but I adore him in it. He took it off to play since it "restricted" his arms. Lately, he's been slacking in piano practice and oh, it hurts! He used to practice all the time without being asked. Now he does not unless I ask and ask and ask...I don't want it to be like that, so I'm really hoping he turns it around. We sure love listening to him play.