Merry Christmas from The Wallaces!

If you are or know anyone living the life of a fire family, you know that holidays are just another day. Rarely do we celebrate holidays on their recognized dates since Kyle is never home to celebrate on the actual day. This year, we celebrated on Monday and boy oh boy, did Santa spoil our little boy rotten! Thankfully, Andrew doesn't know the difference. Even if he did, the look on his face when he came downstairs to all the lights twinkling and presents and bows shining under the tree, let us know that he didn't care.

Christmas this year has been exceptional! We have spent some needed time with our dear family and friends. Andrew absolutely loves all the Christmas decorations and adores Santa. He won't say a word to the jolly old man but loves him! "Tanta, Tanta, Tanta," he says. He loves Kyle's tree, especially the lights (insert Courtnie screaming "bah hum bug" over the lights and Andrew's obsession and fascination over them). If you aren't sure why I sound like such a Scrooge, read my post about our Christmas Tree. It does look great but read up to understand the sarcasm. :)

So alas, Santa came early this year. He brought Andrew a Radio Flyer tricycle, which this little boy absolutely loves and can't get enough of. He can barely reach the pedals but thankfully his legs are long enough that he can move about. Andrew is also obsessed with trains so it was only fitting that Santa bring him toy trains, even some fun trains for bath time fun. Now that he is old enough and can comprehend, it was fun asking Andrew to give and deliver the presents to their owners. He loved giving Kyle and I our presents. Even more so, he loved helping us open them! He ripped open the paper without hesitation, which of course, made Kyle so proud. You must be a Wallace if destruction of things make you happy.

His face says it all!

Our morning was delightful and Kyle and I smiled watching Andrew rip open presents and seeing the excitement beam all over his face. This is truly the magic of Christmas!

The video is long but he is so sweet with his initial reactions. He even makes sure that his bear gets a ride.

He loves his books!

The aftermath...seeing Kyle and Andrew enjoy these sweet moments absolutely warms my heart and makes me smile.

We wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas! We will be thinking of you on Christmas morning and hope that your morning is as amazing and love-filled as ours was!

The Griswold Family Christmas Tree

So this might sound completely insane but it is true! Like little kids, Kyle and I can never agree on a Christmas tree. He likes the pine trees with tinsel garland and colored lights...AND...bubble lights! Truly, the tree from A Christmas Story. All we need is a Red Rider BB gun and we would be complete! Me, I grew up with noble firs with white lights and ribbon. We both grew up with different traditions and so to us, it is all we know. So how do you end an argument between two little kids? Well, 13 years ago when we first started dating (yes, 13!!), we made a compromise. We were practicing for marriage apparently. We decided that on odd years, Kyle would get to have his Christmas tree with décor, without any lip from me. And then, on even years, it would be my turn. Childish, we know! However, it has worked and every year there is an expectation and an understanding. With all this being said, it is 2013 which means, it is Kyle's year...ugh! :)

Now that we have a little Kyle running around, Kyle couldn't wait to pass on his HIS tradition to his mini-me. So alas, we went Kyle-tree hunting. This is an all out ordeal. The tree has to be cut down and literally, from the movie, Christmas Vacation, the angels and lights from the heavens have to shine down on the tree and sing to him. But I'll tell you what, when we went this year, the tree sang to us both! It is huge and I would have been willing to bet that it wouldn't fit in our living room. But with determination and just straight being stubborn, Kyle marched into the open area and cut down his tree! It is huge! Fat, full, and HUGE!

Close, but not yet!

Wickerd Farm is really cool and has great trees!

Teaching Andrew how to pick the perfect tree!

Eureka! We have found it!

 

Once we got home, the Wallace Family tradition of decorating the tree consists of Christmas music, jammies, and Bailey's!

Andrew was trying to help! It was so cute watching him copy Kyle's every move.

 

Contrary to my belief, the tree fit and the star just barely kisses the ceiling! After the tree was decorated and the stocking were hung, the bubble lights were a bubblin' and Kyle sits in contentment admiring his tree. I can't wait for next year...my turn!

 

Merry Christmas friends! We wish you a happy holiday season!

Pumpkin Patch Fun, Part 1

It has become an annual tradition in the Wallace house to visit the Peltzer Farms Pumpkin Patch. The Farm is full of lots of fun things to do. And with Andrew being such a busy boy, he had loads of fun this year and ran himself silly. Since I have been slacking on posting pictures of my little man, I will let the pictures tell our story and share the fun we had!

It is so hard to believe how fast these past 2 1/2 years have gone. I don't realize how big he is until I look at how little he was when we came the first year, and even last year. I remember thinking he looked like such a big boy last year. 

He sure loves his daddy!

He was very busy, trying to organize pumpkins, and running amuck! 

He loved chasing Kyle around this ring of hay.

I was leery to let him lift these pumpkins but he is Kyle's boy, and by that, I mean when he sets his mind to it, there ain't no stopping him!

Hold the phone...there are chickens and goats at this place?? Next stop, petting zoo!

Well...maybe we will jump some more!

And some more!

He absolutely loved the baby goats!

He was so sweet with them.

Kyle had a surprise visitor.

Andrew welcomed him to our petting party.

I can't even begin to think what is going through Andrew's head looking at this chicken.

Where did everyone go?

By the thumb's up, I would say the Peltzer Farm Pumpkin Patch is Andrew tested and approved!