New Year, New Matt

Some switch has gone off in Matt's head lately. It's resulted in behavior that I don't normally see in my little boy. They say, "oh, he's 2..." and chalk it up to the usual antics of a busy 2 year old boy. I don't know. It's like he's trying to prove a point. Or win the toddler war. Or ensure that I never have another child. I've seen him repeatedly remove ornaments from the tree (and eat 2 of them...that's right, he was crunching on the glass) while looking at me gleefully and saying no, climb onto the potty and play with the breakables and the matches, unroll the toilet paper & empty the tissue box, put the river rocks from my candle plate in his mouth and laugh, miraculously set the alarm clock that jolted us awake early one morning, and climb onto a chair so he can reach my Christmas decor. That's to name a few. Never mind the heavy use of the word "no." I suppose I knew these days would come, but he had me fooled all this time that he was a sweet, obedient (for the most part) little boy. Yay discipline. Thankfully, there are still moments (like when he's sleeping - kidding!) when my heart hurts he's so cute.

We celebrated Joy's 30th birthday bash in high style over at her sister's house the other night. Joy looked fabulous as she kicked off her new decade of life. She'll hate me for this picture, but look at that cake all ablaze! Hold that hair back, girl!

New Year's Eve we spent the evening at the Rener's. Joy made some awesome food and we broke in her new blender with some tasty ritas. Sarah bought the kids all footie pajamas, so before they all went to bed we attempted to pose them for a picture. With no one wanting to sit or stand still, this is about the best I got. Hilarious. Stripes are so slimming for Matt. Then they all made crazy, stumbling laps around the house. Matt squealed like a girl, it was awesome.

The kids went night-night and the adults enjoyed rocking out. We even got Zach's dad to play the drums and the bass guitar! Impressive. Here's Matt from the other day trying to drum. Hope everyone had a great holiday season and Happy New Year to all!

The Christmas Tour

We had what I like to call a progressive Christmas...we started off Christmas morning at our house, then went to Tim & Pam's for a late lunch, and finished off our wonderful day with dessert at Bryan & Sarah's. Then the following day my dad, Ann, and my grandfather came in to visit. We were busy, but we truly had an awesome Christmas and are so thankful to have been able to share it with all of our family.

Matt received a tent/fort/tunnel for Christmas that he and the cat both have thoroughly enjoyed since. We are also now owners of so many toys that I have no idea what to do with all of them. And we only have one child! Matthew enjoyed ripping off the paper of everyone's gifts, emptying our stockings & then organizing all the candy he found inside them, and grazing on food all day. Over at Tim & Pam's I got an awesome new coffee maker (Yes!!!), Pam got these crazy martini glasses & plastic ice cubes that light up (Matt loved them), and the boys enjoyed doing what they do best...playing video games.

After a heavenly lunch with some of the best turkey I've ever had, we headed out to Bryan & Sarah's for phase 3 of Christmas. Upon gift opening, Steven received his second (that's right!) Wii of the day. Never in a million years would I have guessed that Steven's mother of all people would have purchased him a Wii and games to go along with it. And that she Ebay-ed the thing!!! Apparently Bryan never guessed it either because he bought Steven a Wii too. Steven of course was all smiles. Gee, who's the favorite and always the darling of Christmas since his birthday is so close to Christmas? Mmm-hmm. But, not to be outdone Bryan received Rock Band, and he had already bought himself one prior to Christmas. I'm sorry, but who in their right mind buys themself a big toy like that right before Christmas?? Ugh. But, we sure had fun playing with it! Here is proof that Steven can and will sing with a microphone. I love how unnatural and awkward the microphone looks in his hands. Heee.

My favorite Ava pic from the night and my favorite Matt & Ava moment of the night:

After we sang happy birthday to Jesus Matt ate his cupcake in 2 bites. Gross. I personally like Mary Claire in her fabulous new princess dress. Those sleeves are bigger than she is.

Wednesday we had a Moran family Christmas here at our house and enjoyed time with my dad, Ann, and my grandfather. There was lots of running, swinging, duck-duck-goose playing, and wagon-riding going on in the back yard. We ate a yummy mexican food dinner, opened gifts, played, and had a good time watching Caroline & Mary Claire have a go at the Wii.

Mary Claire can fish and Caroline can bowl.

We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends and to have been blessed with such a joyful Christmas. We pray that all of you had a nice Christmas and a joyful time celebrating the birth of our Savior. Bring on the New Year!

The Aftermath

I'm pretty sure Steven had a good birthday. Yesterday was a gorgeous, chilly, blustery day that began with a delicious bbq lunch at the Salt Lick. Steven claims he hasn't been there since Matt was still in the womb. Crazy. We stuffed ourselves silly, and Steven even got some birthday blackberry cobbler. We almost had to wheel him out of there. It looks like Matt didn't like what was on his plate, but he did a pretty good job.

We came home and put the kids to bed and played some video games. Matthew woke up after an unusually short nap, and then it was time for cake (or if you're Matt: "cayke" with a drawl) & presents. Steven got some funny t-shirts and a boat-load of old country music that drives me up the wall. Heeeee.

Caroline & Mary Claire joined us shortly thereafter, and we quickly decided it was time to go to the park. We had a great time running, swinging, sliding, climbing, and making hot chocolate from piles of tiny rocks. Not to mention shivering! It was freezing with the wind. I think everyone had a runny nose. We came back home and warmed up and soon our crowd fizzled out. Steven & I cuddled up that night and watched Rudolph together. Memories! That song "Silver & Gold" cracks me up and makes me think of my brother. Ask him to sing it some time.

Tomorrow poor ol' Steve has to work until 5 so he'll miss out on our delicious spread of eats but will be there in time to meet us at church for the Christmas Eve service. We look forward to celebrating the birth of our Savior, and we wish you all a very, Merry Christmas!!!!

Rock on Old Man

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEVEN!!! We're headed out to the Salt Lick tomorrow for his big birthday lunch...we'll give you the report post BBQ coma.

The Tiny Angel Sings

Last night I attended Mary Claire's preschool Christmas program. I was in charge of preserving the night's memories with our video camera. Sadly, we got there way too late to get a prime seat for video recording, but I did by best to find Mary Claire between all the bobbing heads in front of me. Mary Claire was an angel; white robe and gold, sparkly halo. The best was watching her play with her hair and stuff her arms inside her robe before it began. Once the music started she sang along with every word and joined in on all the hand motions. It was so cute. I tried to keep my eye on Caroline who was beside me on the edge of her seat at full attention trying to mouth all the words. Mary Claire did a fantastic job and I'm so glad that I got to be there to see her. She was definitely proud of herself, and on the way home she was teaching Caroline all the songs. Here's our pizza dinner prior to the show: And somehow I neglected to include photos from Tyler's birthday last weekend...not sure how I forgot because Matthew had a blast and is still singing Tyler happy birthday everyday. Tyler got some awesome birthday balloons that all the kids enjoyed. Matthew kept trying to steer them toward the fan, naughty boy.

He also was very interested in Tyler's presents. I find it funny because on his birthday he didn't pay attention to the gift opening hardly at all. He really wanted to see what Tyler was getting; he kept pulling out tissue paper from bags and handing John more gifts to open.

Tyler seemed to be unsure about the happy birthday serenade at first, but he definitely warmed up to the idea of cake.

The Trail

Last night we (along with the Reners) decided to brave the crowds and venture down to Zilker Park to see the fabulous Trail of Lights. After negotiating a parking spot (and seeing a side of Steven I don't see too often) we walked into Chuy's to learn that the wait was nearly 2 hours. No thanks! We walked down the street to Shady Grove where the wait was a much more friendly 30 min. We exercised Matt & Ava on the grassy area in front of the restaurant while we waited. Watching them run and chase each other and fall down and laugh is really a hilarious sight. Tired and on empty after all that exertion, Matt quickly turned his focus to letting us know he was hungry. He'd grab mine or Steven's hand and lead us to the entrance of the restaurant and say, "Eat!!" He didn't understand why we were waiting. But the wait gave us some good picture opportunities.

These are my favorites:

Then it was our turn to eat finally!!!

And then our adorable children munching on limes.

After a quick stop by the car to change a thoroughly soaked diaper and retrieve the stroller, we were on our way to the lights! Matt sat reclined in his stroller sucking his thumb and exclaiming about what he saw now and then. "I see snowman! I see Pooh! I see Piglet! More lights! Music!" He definitely enjoyed all the sights and sounds.

I know Ava liked it, too. But, after all that excitement and the fact that it was 9:00 p.m. and our children were still awake we opted to skip out on spinning under the tree. Hopefully next year! We drove home and Matt fell immediately to sleep once reunited with his bed. I know he'll be talking about the "Chrissuss lights" for weeks to come.

Chrissuss Tree

Matthew LOVES the Christmas tree. He likes to point out all the gingerbread men, snowmen and stockings that he sees. He also likes to find the Pooh and Piglet ornaments and squeal with delight. When the tree first went up he was really not interested in touching it. But now he's taken to putting his little fingers on the glass ornaments and sort of petting them. He knows he shouldn't do it because the entire time he has this devilish look on his face that's hilariously cute. However, it was not so cute when I was taking a shower the other day and a little arm pulled the curtain back and thrust a red ornament at me. He didn't say anything which is odd. I was expecting an uh-oh or something...but no words came; just wide eyes. I asked him to go put it back and he toddled off only to return seconds later still with the ornament in his hands. He thrust it at me again and said, "Mommy hold it." Alright, fine. So I guess I'll shower with an ornament, whatever. Another time while I was getting dressed recently (are we seeing a pattern here for misbehavior while I'm busy??) Matt came running up to me and said, "Uh-oh Jesus!!" while pointing in the direction of the other room. Curious, I followed his lead into the living room where he said, "Jesus fall down." There on the floor was baby Jesus and a donkey from my wooden nativity scene display. I think it's funny that he tattled on himself.

And then here is Matt brushing his hair right after his bath before church yesterday morning. He loves to climb up on his step stool which he calls "beeg seps" (big steps) and admire himself in the mirror and make silly faces while conversing with his reflection.