Playing Catch Up

It's been over two weeks since I've posted or looked at anyone else's blogs. I have been on winter break, and enjoying my time with the family. Andy took a week off of work too, so it was really nice having all my boys home together.

Since so much happened over the holidays, I will just include some of the highlights and a few pictures to go with it.

*We had a marathon Christmas celebration. We started out with Christmas Eve at Momo and Pops, had Christmas morning at our home, and ate Christmas dinner at Nonna and Peepaw's. We had a great time and the boys got way more presents than they know what to do with!

*We also got to have some playdates with friends. I always feel so happy when I have a break and can schedule time with my friends and their children. We got to see a lot of special people, including a new friend who also has a son who was born in Korea. It is so great being able to share stories and experiences with someone who totally understands!

*We took the boys sledding for the first time. A neighbor had told us about a hill in a nearby town. When we got there, I almost had a heart attack, and Andy didn't think I would let Monkey and Spike go down the hill (more like a mini-ski slope). But as the mom of two boys, I realize that there will be many times that they will do things that terrify me. I figured that at least this time, I would be able to control it a bit, since andy and I were going down with them. The ride was very fast with a lot of spinning, but everyone (me included) had a great time! Monkey was fine with one run, but Spike tried to pick up the sled and walk back up the hill. He and Andy went down again. He must be my little adrenaline junky!

*We also builta snowman and played in the snow...a lot...since it kept snowing! The boys had a blast!

*On New Year's we spent time with one of my friends from school. She has a daughter and two sons who are close to Monkey and Spike's ages. We definitely did not make it anywhere close to midnight, but the kids had a great time, and so did the parents!

*Finally, we celebrated Monkey's Homecoming Day. This is a very common practice in the adoption community. Families celebrate the day their child was welcomed into their family. Well, since Monkey was in the NICU for a month after he was born, it is something we've always done with him as well. He came home on Jan. 1, 2007, so New Years Day is always special for us. We spent this year playing all the games he loves, watching movies, and eating a special dinner. We made him cupcakes and he had a blast decorating them with us. We even lit a candle and sang to him, which he LOVED! It was a great way to celebrate with him.

Overall, this holiday season was my favorite so far. I had my whole little family intact, and we could truly focus on the holiday and each other. We started some new traditions, and continued some that came from both Andy's family and my own. The best gifts I ever received were with me, and that made it amazing!

Okay...off to catch up on other people's lives! Happy 2010!