Christmas 2008

Our tree before the boys attacked it!

Keyton has wanted these forever!   Santa is nicer than Mommy!

Garrison LOVES LOVES LOVES this!

Santa brought this for BOTH of them!   

They said they would like to sleep in it tonight!

This gun makes real sounds!

His very OWN first aid kit!

The boys thought he needed a new hammer!

This is all I asked for:  Nintendo DS  w/  BrainAge!   

I got more though! :-) 

The boys had soooo much fun opening all of their cool gifts!   Keyton said this was the best Christmas ever!   Garrison couldn't stop looking at his new tractor that Santa left for him!  He even opened some of his presents while sitting on it! Keyton got all kinds of new "big boy" gadgets!  He can't wait to try out his new Laser Tag and Night Vision Goggles!   Garrison is excited to get his tractor outside and drive and he is already trying out his "real" laptop!  I still haven't seen my living room floor yet!  I'm sure it is there...we will get to it eventually!   Christmas is so much fun!   

Our new guest...

They could hardly wait to open this box!!!

They loved the little elf...so cute!!!

We are so excited to have a guest in our house.  He is one of Santa's elves and he will be staying with us until Christmas Eve! He came to our house complete with a book telling of his duties.   See, this little elf, which my boys named Snowy, sits in our house and watches the boys.  He flies off to the North Pole every night and reports to Santa.  He tells Santa if they were good or bad.   Each morning when we wake up, he will be in a different location in our house and it is our job it try and find him!   On Christmas eve, he goes back to the North Pole with Santa. However, Snowy will return to our house each year around Christmas time because he is OUR special elf! The boys are super excited and have been showering him with hugs and kisses!   They cannot wait to see where he is in the morning!   The book is very cool because it has a place in the back to record what year your started this family tradition and you can register your elf's name online in the elf database!  I am excited to have started a new family tradition with my boys!   

Snowmen

The last-minute creation!

Keyton enjoying it...yum-o!

Garrison enjoying it...yum-o!

Since we didn't really get enough snow to make a snowman...this morning we had the next best thing!   I made the boys snowman pancakes!   I don't know why, but the idea struck me as soon as I woke up. I often do different things when I make pancakes.  So, this morning we had SNOWMEN!!!  The kids were so excited!   They turned out okay but I wish I had M&M's to use as the eyes and mouth...the chocolate syrup was a little runny!   They really enjoyed the piece of Starburst I used for the nose!     I just had to use what I had!   It didn't  matter what it was made of...the boys absolutely loved them!   They said I had "good ideas!" That is something every mommy needs to hear!   

We LOVE snow days!!!

My boys love the snow!!!

Keyton

Garrison

Keyton & the shovel...

Garrison & the rake...

We LOVE snow days at the DOWDY house!!!  The boys got so excited when they saw the snow falling last night.   As soon as they woke up, they looked out to make sure it was still here!  Then they immediately begged to go play in it for a little while! So...I bundled them up and we went out for as long as we could stand it...IT IS SO COLD!!!!   Brr! They had fun throwing snow at me and using their shovel and rake in the snow.   I love getting to spend the whole day at home with my boys! I don't know who gets more excited about these snow days...the kids or us teachers......hmmmm.....probably teachers!  :-)

Cute sight...

Dana & Keyton were zoned in...Garrison sensed my presence

Tonight the boys went to the basement and were waiting on Dana to take a shower and come down and play with them.  Dana got out of the shower and came through the house and said "Rudolph is on!"   Dana LOVES when those old cartoons some on each year.  He says it takes him back to his childhood.  I always remember loving it when they came on as well.  I actually bought the Rudolph & Frosty DVD's for him last year.  Still yet...he says it is better when they actually come on the TV. So...he yelled for the boys to come upstairs and watch a "special show" with him.  At first they complained because they were deep in the middle of playing.  However, they gave in, snuggled up with him, and enjoyed the show!  I had to capture it on camera.  It was a sweet moment seeing my three guys glued to the TV watching about those magical reindeer! Garrison said he loved those reindeer and Keyton wanted to know how they were able to fly! Dana was just content watching the show!   Ahhh...the simple things in life!

Our Christmas Card...

This is our Christmas card for the year.  It showcases some of my many favorite pictures of our family beach trip!   I am loving the brown and blue together.  It is one of my favorite color combinations!   We have so much to be thankful for during the holiday season.  We all should try to remember to be thankful all year long and not just during the last few months of the year.  I know that my family has faced many struggles over the last few years.  They have definitely made me realize what are the important things in life!  I am so very blessed to be able to call the 3 wonderful guys in this Christmas card MY guys!   I love my family!   

"LEAVE" it to the boys...

After eating Thanksgiving dinner at Aggies the other day, all of her little grandsons decided to play in the leaves.  Jerry raked them into a pile and they hopped right in!  They had a great time playing in them with one another.  We are very grateful to have had pretty weather and the opportunity to spend Thanksgiving with our wonderful family!

A Good Buddy

Keyton & Garrison were so excited the other day when their good buddy, Carter, got to play with them for a few minutes.  He stayed in here with us while his daddy was outside working with cattle.  He didn't get to stay very long, but the boys had tons of fun spoiling him.  They brought him toy after toy trying to satisfy him.  However, his favorite was a ball!  We think he gets that from his mommy and daddy!   The boys loved hugging and kissing on him and they hope he comes back very soon and stays longer!   It is always good to have good buddies!  

Hunting Adventure

Keyton...is that you under there?

Nice bandanna...Garrison!

Keyton wanted to go hunting with his daddy for his birthday, so he got some gear to wear on this adventure.  I had my doubts that he would really get to go "hunting."  Dana has never been a big hunter.  However, this morning the boys woke up early and were eager to get going.  They began by getting out everything they owned that was camouflage.  They were dressed and ready to go before Dana even got up.   Their trip started out as just a farming trip, however, I think they ended seeing a deer or two on their way back.   It really didn't matter to them where they went or if they actually even hunted for anything.  They had a great time with their daddy and they thought they were serious hunters!   I am glad they went.   I like seeing them doing things with Dana.  It is cute to watch them act like "big men."  We sure do get a kick out of our little men!   

Keyton is 7!!!

My big 7 year old!

...with little brother

...with farm supplies

...with cake

...with Mommy

...with Daddy

...with the Asberry Crew

I cannot believe my little guy is 7 today!   It seems like only yesterday when he was a little baby in my arms.  He woke up bright eyed this morning a whole lot earlier than usual so he could get his presents before he went to school.  He got to pick out some of them but he wanted a few surprises.  He mostley wanted real stuff to use around the farm. He only got one toy and one video game.  Everything else...real "men" stuff!   His daddy wanted to get him a pair of Muck boots at the farm supply store so I took him out there...they were out of his size!  I asked him if he wanted to look around and he ended up with two farm tools:  one to give animals pills and a needle to give them shots!  He said he needed some of his own because his daddy had some. Only MY SON would get excited over real farm equipment instead of toys!   Funny!   He decided against a big party this year partly in due to the cold weather!  Instead, he is opting to go hunting with his daddy this weekend and getting to have different friends over to play with him on different days!  Sounds like fun to me!  Garrison was so excited to see him this evening!  He hugged and hugged him.   My mom stayed over at our house today and had our supper cooked for us when we got home:  ham, green beans, corn, mashed potatoes, rolls, and banana pudding!  After that we had cake. Garrison made us stick a candle in his piece and sing to him too.  Keyton thought that was funny! He was excited to try out his Will Emergency Hero game, so went to the basement and he and his daddy played rescue teams with one another.  He got great presents from Aggie, MeMa & PaPa, The Asberry Crew, Jerry & Denesa, Uncle Robbin,  & Uncle Jason!   He had a great birthday.  Keyton is such a little sweetie.  I feel bad because he is so very shy and the rest of the world misses out on his wit and insight on things.  If only everyone could hear the things says...they would love it!   I think he really wants to come out of his shyness, but is just scared to.  I see him improving a little all the time.  He really does have such a kind heart.  He reminds me so much of my daddy.  I wish he was here to see how big he is!   I am very lucky to have this precious little guy call me...MOMMY!   He is a great blessing!   Happy Birthday Keyton Edward Dowdy!   WE LOVE YOU VERY MUCH!!!