Goodbye 2010

We finished off a great year with a trip over to Moz and Gramp's house. They had hats, noise makers and sparkling grape juice. We rang in the new year just a little early and headed home to put the boys to bed.

Looking forward to what 2011 will bring!

Bowling

We took the boys bowling for the first time today and they loved it! They put up the bumpers and brought out a special lightweight ball for them to use, so they were really able to knock down some pins. We bowled for almost 2 hours and they can't wait to go back!

Christmas 2010

This was the best Christmas! The boys were really into Santa and it was so much fun to see them so excited. They woke up early (of course) and loved everything that Santa brought. After they played for a while,  Moz, Gramps, Grandma, Pops and Aunt Christie came over for brunch and even more toys. After a little break we headed over to Grandma and Pops' house to finish up the gifts and top everything off with red velvet cake. What a great day!

Christmas Eve

The boys were so super excited for Santa from the minute they woke up on Christmas Eve. We went to church in the afternoon and then did our annual Christmas Eve appetizer dinner and gift exchange. Afterward, they got in their Christmas jammies and headed home to put out cookies for Santa (and carrots and reindeer food, too). They went to bed without a peep!

It's beginning to feel a lot like Christmas...

Baking gingerbread men, playing in the snow and opening the first presents of the season have put us all in the Christmas spirit. School is out and the count down to Christmas has begun. The boys are both LOVING Christmas this year and it's going to be a blast!

Alex's Christmas Program

Alex's Christmas program was tonight at school. They sang a bunch of songs and each child had a line to say in a microphone. Alex did great and loved it!

Reed's Christmas Program

Reed had his Christmas Program this morning at preschool. Other than buttoning his sweater for the first two songs, he did great. They wore donkey hats and sang Christmas songs in the church. Then we went back to his classroom for a few minutes to see them sing a few songs again. He was hamming it up!

Night out

Tonight we had a big milestone. Alex was invited over to a friend's house to play, have dinner and go to Starry Nights at Shelby Farms. He's never been "dropped off" at a friend's house before, so this was a big deal! He was really excited to go and we've met the parents several times, so we said yes. He had a great time and Andrew's mom said he was a great guest.

Brian and I decided to take Reed out to dinner so we could enjoy some fun time with him. He loved his taco and the extra attention!

Santa and Rudolph

Rudolph (with the antlers) and Santa (with the hat) in his sleigh. Just another morning at the Johnstons.

Pictures with Santa

Alex and Reed finally got their first pictures ever with Santa! It's not that we haven't tried in the past - but they could never get past the standing in line part. It just happened that we were at a store this weekend at the lake and Santa was there. After a little talking and a little bribery, they both told Santa what they wanted for Christmas. Reed didn't quite make it to sitting in Santa's lap, so his picture is a Santa hug. And of course, since we weren't planning it, they are not in cute outfits, but we'll take it!

On another note, Alex has never been a big Santa fan - he's never been into the whole flying around the world to deliver toys and coming down the chimney bit - but after he met Santa in person (and Santa told him to leave carrots for Rudolph) he's a convert! He has been crazy over decorating, putting out lights and Freddie the elf who you can see behind Santa in the picture. Of course, Reed follows suit. I love it!