It's That Time of The Year.

I wrote this a while ago but forgot to post it so ignore that it is march now and pretend Christmas and New Years just past. :]

Yup Christmas is Here! And I love this time of year. There is just so much happiness in the air and we all get to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.

I was super excited to decorate this year. I did little things hear and there throughout the month. Walker loved playing with our ornaments and beads on the tree so they were on the ground most of the time and the tree was bear. I saw a sign that said "believe" on Pinterest and wanted to do some like it. I loved the saying because it could go both ways of why people celebrate christmas, BELIEVE in Christ and also BELIEVE in Santa. The one I did turn out cute but I still like the one on Pinterest better, so maybe next year I will do it again different. I also made some tags for a our presents under the tree. I loved how they turned out and how it looked without the to and from. I want to do this again next year, so I kept the tags since Walker won't remember. Santa also put tags on our gifts he brought us.

Our home decorations

We sent out Christmas Cards to our family and some close friends. This year I wanted to go all Christmasy and not just use our family photo we took. So we took a picture by the christmas tree and fireplace at Robin and Perry's reading a Christmas story to Walker. I think it turned our great. Here is it for all of those who did not get it. Merry Christmas!

Last Christmas Casey had to work, which was a bummer but it was okay since Walker wasn't super into Christmas since he didn't know and get much and also he was sick.. This year it happened again except Casey had the day off (that is the happy part). Walker was getting over a cold-ish thing that he was fighting since the friday before. He still wasn't feeling super great but he was a great sport.

The week before Christmas my Grandpa went into the hospital so parents and brother, Alex, were able to come and visit him and Walker and I went up there once my Grandpa was out to visit. I always love being close to my parents and being able to visit them often. Like I said Walker and I went up to my Grandpas to visit for the day on Monday, Christmas Adam. We got there about lunch time and than left after dinner. Walker and my mom played in the leaves that were in my Grandpa's backyard. Walker loved having my mom throw the leaves in the air and have them land on him. We also built and huge pile around Walker. My dad and brother got there that night, than we went to Grandpas favorite Mexican restaurant for dinner. I sure do miss spending time with my family and wish more of them lived closer.

Walker playing in all the leaves grandpa Carter saved with my mom.

Earlier on Christmas Eve day Sidney and Scott came down from Idaho and surprised Robin and Perry. That night we had a party over at Robin and Perry's. We made our own pizzas for dinner which was way fun. We also had a white elephant gift exchange with everyone there. Before everyone got there Robin, Walker and I made a Christmas Tree sugar cookie for Santa. Walker loves helping making the dough and putting the sprinkles on.

Waiting for Santa.

We also got to talk to Kyle and Connor. Connor called through Skype at night at 8pm our time. Kyle was going to surprise Connor and try and Skype for a couple minutes during Connors call but got the wrong time. So we were able to talk him some before Connor called. We are going to try and have them call around the same time for Mother's Day so they can talk and see each other. We did get to talk to Connor that night as planned. We talked to him for about an hour and a half. It was way cool seeing him and hearing his stories. Here is Connor's Blog if you want to read his letters. Casey and I left to go home after his call. Christmas morning we woke up at 7 and got to talk to Kyle. It was interesting hearing the differences of how they celebrate Christmas there. Here is Kyle's Blog if you want to read his letters. They are both are doing great! We are excited to see them again on Mother's Day.

Talking to Kyle (top) and Connor (bottom) on Christmas Eve.

Walker was asleep still so we didn't want to wake him up since he still wasn't feeling great. We got to spend the morning as just our family. Casey and I made Egg Nog Waffle French Toast with eggs and bacon. It was way good and we want to make it a tradition for Christmas morning.

Yummy Christmas Breakfast.

Once we were done with breakfast as a family we opened up presents. We all made it our great. Walker got lots of new toys that he now loved playing with. He wasn't very interested in ripping the paper off the presents but once he saw what was inside he was all excited! His favorite present that he loved playing with once all of the gifts were open were the $1 slinky stocking stuffer. I love how he loves the little things and makes me want to remember that more often. He sure shows me more than I can express.

Santa Came!!

playing with some of Walker's favorite presents.

Late afternoon we went over to Robin and Perry's for Christmas Dinner and spent the rest of the night with them. Walker opened up his gifts and loved them. Robin and Perry gave him a fish tank with some money to get a fish. (we now have the tank set up and waiting for a week to get some fish but he is loving looking at the tank and saying 'wow'. He sure is going to love it once there are fish are swimming around.) Christmas dinner was delicious!

After dinner, Sidney, Scott, Casey and I played on the Wii U and also some Rock Band. Once Walker noticed that we were hitting drums with sticks that is all he wanted to do. I think we might have a drummer on our hands. (I don't know how to feel about that). He loves to play with all of the instruments he notices and he know what to do with them. I love it but a little nervous of what he can bring to the future.

Future Drummer.

Thursday, Walker and I stayed home and relaxed. Alex was able to come down and spend the night with us. Casey had to work late so Alex and I played Mario Kart and also played with Walker until he got home. We than went to Panda for dinner. Once we got home Walker went to bed and we got to party. When I say party I need become the dream team of Super Mario Brothers 3D. It was great having my brother come down for a night and spend some time with us. We miss living close to him and spending time with him in Utah.

The Dream Team.

The weather during this holiday week has been great! Friday Walker and I joined Robin, Perry, Sidney, and Scott for a small beach trip. It was such a beautiful day. Walker loved playing in the sand with grandma and grandpa. Friday night, Robin watched Walker while Casey and I went to get froyo with Sidney and Scott. Saturday we went to the church camp that is in Ramona with Robin and Perry and played some sports with them as well.

This season has been filled with family and it has been great fun. We are now excited to start the new year and see what it brings us.

♥ The Schroeder