Over the River And Through the Woods....

WOOHOOO!!!! What More Can We Say?

I Wanna be Like the Jonas Brothers!

Hey, Dad I Want to Play It!

See How Sweet He Looks...

Gram trying on her new Bracelet from the boys, tears were flowing, as usual

Uncle Corey ROCKS~!

I'm Up....It's My Turn!

I Can Be A John Deere Man Too Mommy.... Just Like Cousin Ryan!

To Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Corey's House we go! Today we loaded up the truck with presents and headed up the highway to visit our families and exchange gifts. Eddie and I dreaded the long day of travel while the boys were bursting to see their Aunt, Uncle, Cousin, Gram and then later in the day Eddie's Parents too. We had a full day on tap. The drive up was great until we got off on the exit when we hit fog thicker than I have ever seen before. Thankfully, Eddie is a good driver! We arrived at Aunt Lindsay and Uncle Corey's and were greeted with hugs and the smells of a yummy brunch that Aunt Lindsay put together. While we were eating, Aunt Lindsay yelled, look out back guys... see that?? We finally got to see a pack of deer running right through their backyard. It was so cool. The boys really got a kick out of that! Once our tummies were filled and caffeinated we joined the boys who took off with Gram to open stockings (keeping the happy for a few moments). Brandon and Ryan again, were spoiled rotten by Aunt Lindsay & Uncle Corey and Grammy too! More Legos, a tent and sleeping bags, guitar and Bakugans, Jammies and undies, books and games. James took a little catnap through this part. Uncle Corey took Ryan for a ride on his John Deere and when they were done, James had woken up so he could open his gifts. Now James is armed with a John Deere Outfit too, which I am sure will be pictured on Aunt Lindsay's blog!!! (I am waiting....) We also got him cute Dino jammies, romper and matching socks and the best ever Tupperware Shapes Ball. He got his bigger gift from us earlier, hoping to help and give his mom, dad and Gram a break (a bouncer). The jury is still out on whether he really likes it. We had a blast with everyone and had to pack everything up around 3pm so we could head to Eddie's parents house to visit there too. We exchanged gifts with them and had dinner and got back on the road again and finally arrived home shortly before 8pm. Eddie went straight to work and set up their tent. The boys are sleeping in it as I write this update. They looks so cute! Thanks Aunt Lindsay, it is the best addition to the basement, finally a SAFE tent not one balanced on tables with books and all kinds of crazy things. They are snug in their new sleeping bags probably dreaming of all the fun they have had this holiday. To our families, we thank you and love you very much. To our friends following this blog, we hope you too had a wonderful Holiday with your families and friends! I am off to put my weary little head on my pillow as I know the boys will be up bright and early tomorrow!

Testing Out Our New Tent and Sleeping Bags Before Bedtime!

Christmas Day... Santa Did Come!

AWWWW... I Got a Bakugan!

YES, it's Martian Matters!

Look, Daddy Got Me A John Deere Shirt

Thanks Gram for the Polo!

We Are Ready to ROCK IT!


Not My Usual Spread.... Seems so Small with Only The Four of Us

It was a rough couple days here in the Burg! I came down with the flu early on Christmas Eve morning and spent all of that day and night in bed. Eddie came in to check on me at one point and I was almost hysterical. I had been so sick I could not do all the things I had planned to do with the boys. I had planned to take Brandon to Christmas Eve Mass, bake a pumpkin with the boys for Eddie, get the kids ready with cookies and milk for Santa and tuck their sweet little bodies into bed. I was beside myself that I could not do these things. Eddie did all he could to calm me down, but it was not an easy task. On Christmas morning, I actually woke Eddie up and he got the boys. I put my best foot forward as sick as I still was and rallied for the kids. They were so excited that Santa had come. We always start with our stockings (mainly to give mom and dad time to wake up more). Then they went to town on their gifts. In between, we called Grammy and Aunt Lindsay to say Merry Christmas and tell them what Santa had brought them. I made omelets for Eddie and I then started on Christmas dinner. We sat down to eat a little earlier than usual for us around Noon as this was our first year as just the four of us. I really did not time the day well. It was different not working around family coming in so I still need to work on the kinks on that one. I had a plate full in front of me but just could not do it. After everyone ate, I cleaned up the dishes and headed back to bed. The pie still had not been made, but dinner turned out great I was told. The boys played all day with one toy after another. Dad joined in and played their new Rock Band game with them. I could hear the laughter from the basement in my room. From Legos, to Webkinz, to Jammies and Undies, Tae Kwon Do gear and board games. They had lots to keep them busy.

Road Trip Dec. 23rd

The week got away from me so I have lots to share. Today, Brandon, Ryan and I headed up North to visit with Aunt Lindsay, Uncle Corey, Cousin James and Grammy. Eddie still had to work so I thought we would give him some peace and quiet. We made excellent time getting there and the kids were so excited to see everyone. Ryan was bursting to see "Baby" James as he calls him. We all hung out, had pizza for lunch and Grammy took the boys out on a local road trip. They went to the pond to feed the Geese and then stopped by to see a Tank and Machine Gun at a park near by. They were so excited about seeing a Tank up close. We all hopped back into the car to head home around 2:30pm. We thought things were going so well, we sailed through Maryland and across the Woodrow Wilson Bridge, then..... slam... break lights and that is all she wrote. Our normal 2 hour ish drive took 4 1/2. I was less than a happy person when we got home. The topper to the trip was..... we were not even 3 miles from home and Ryan gets car sick and throws up all over himself.

Have You Been Naughty or Nice????

Today was our first day of vacation. While Eddie still had to work, I decided around 12:30pm that I would make the dreaded trek to the mall to see Santa. I truly had put this off until the absolute last minute, but boy I had no clue just how bad it would be. We got in line and after 10 minutes, Santa took a forty minute break. During this break, Ryan asked about every two minutes, why is it taking Santa so long and Brandon had the, REALLY DO WE HAVE TO DO THIS face on. Mind you, they fought the whole car ride to the mall as well. Once our turn was up the boys put on their most angelic faces to talk to Santa. I am not sure where they will net out on the Naughty or Nice list, it is a minute by minute change in the Kwon house. As I update the blog, they are back at it again and I have now separated them for the rest of the day.

A Rising Star is Born... Ryan Makes His Stage Debut!

On Wednesday, December 16th Ryan participated in his first Winter Show at Minnieland. I was so excited that I made the family get there and hour ahead of time to be sure to get a front row seat! Eddie thought I was nuts! Brandon was a real trooper suffering with and ear infection, but went anyway so the whole family could be there for Ryan. Each class sang two songs... Ryan's class the Zoo Crew sang Away in A Manger and Christmas Time. His class was the loudest of them all. I of course was proud as ever and cried through the whole thing. He did great and remembered most of the words. At the end all of the classes came together to sing the closing song, We Wish You a Merry Christmas.


Ryan is still singing the songs today and sounds so cute! We called Grammy on the phone so he could sing to her and she was crying just like mommy did.

Ms. Latanya, Kareem, Micholas, Brooke, Lilly and Ryan Singing Away in a Manger

Adding in some animation to the song

Holidays are in Full Swing!

On Sunday, December 14th Santa made his way through the neighborhood thanks to the Chancellor Volunteer Fire Dept. I was enjoying time with some girl friends hosting a Monogramming Party and took a break to run outside to wave and say Merry Christmas to Santa with Brandon and Ryan. Santa, Mrs. Claus and a Happy Elf waved and tossed candy to the kids as they drove by with sirens blazing. It was well worth the wait and the constant questions of "How Much More Minutes til Santa Comes Mom", from Ryan.

Taking a break from my crazy life to get in some Christmas baking. This was a tradition that I used to share with the boys and my Mom and we sure did miss her this year! She kept the tradition going though and was baking with my sister. We made chocolate chip cookies, oatmeal raisin, oatmeal chocolate chip, Russian Tea Balls and sugar cookies. To keep the boys happy and not fighting, they each got to put into the bowls equals parts of ingredients. We made a mess of the kitchen. The boys stayed long enough to make the dough and took off to play until it was time to lick the bowl and start a new batch!

Getting Ready for Christmas!

We took a few minutes before heading out to the Tae Kwon Do Christmas Party last night to take some family pictures by our tree.

Merry Christmas Honey!

Say Merry Christmas!

My boys posing by the tree

Mommy's Boys!

We headed out to the TKD party with snow flying everywhere.

Brandon & Ryan with one of their favorite Instructors...Daniel, as soon as we arrived

The Do Jang was decorated to the hilt, their were games and prizes (toys for the kids) that were given away at the end of the evening.

Singing Christmas Carols before sitting down to Dinner

Christmas Festivities in Full Swing in the 'Burg!

Brandon's Tae Kwon Do Academy participated in the Spotsylvania County Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 6th. Brandon and I braved the 34 degree temps and snow flurries. They marched about 3/4 of a mile and sang their school song. It was really cold, but lots of fun. We ran to the car to get warm as soon as he was done marching. Eddie was home grilling spicy Korean pork for our potluck Christmas Party at the Tae Kwon Do Academy.

Brandon Posing out front when we left for the Parade

Getting in some practice time before the start of the Parade

Catching Some of the Practice Time

Making their way down Main Street

Smile Brandon, You Look So Cute!

Brandon and Best Friend Wyatt after the Parade