Christmas 2011 - The Cabin

We loaded the truck and headed East,

to a well-hidden cabin and a fine Christmas feast!

With the GPS set, nothing could stop us,

from our game of Dirty Santa in our Christmas pajamas.

The cabin was beautiful with plenty of room for all,

exploring caves, family games, we had a ball!

 A first in the Smith family traditions, we (well, Grammy) rented a cabin for us all to stay in for the holidays.  The cabin was actually a renovated mill.  The old water wheel was just through these doors.  There were so many rooms to explore and play in, we got lost frequently.  

The front porch overlooked the water and valley below.

Kimmie helped Cam and Sam try out all the cool stuff on the porch.

My "thinkers" went straight to the Lego table in the
balcony play room and began creating things...

While the "do-ers" went straight to the bedrooms to play on the bunk beds.

The cabin even had a crib for Sam and this adorable wooden bassinet rocker.

Grammy said she didn't have any Christmas pj's, so the Burtram/Mersing 5 picked out these for her to wear to play Dirty Santa.  She loved them!  Ethan and Evan finally got those footie pajamas they had been wanting.  Score one for Anamana, and thanks!

Another score for Anamana on the broom for Sam.  He LOVES brooms, now he has his own (and will quit using mine.)  Sam also wore the Santa suit this year that has been passed down from Scout, to Kayden, to Piper, to Cameron and now Sam.  

The whole family gathers to play Dirty Santa...

Cam and Sam decided this bed was just right for them.

The next morning, we went out exploring.  (We actually took a midnight cave walk the night before, but I didn't get any pictures.)  Anyway, we saw the chickens on the farm next to our cabin.

We walked across this bridge.  Doesn't this just call the names of a house full of adventurous boys and their heart-attack prone mothers?!  So narrow...no hand rails...just keep calm and breathe.  Being a boy-mom can be hard on my blood pressure.

The beautiful waterfall view on the way to the cave...

These pictures don't do the cave any justice since they are black in the background, but we are standing (sitting) in front of a huge cave opening that winds all the way through this mountainside and comes out on the other side of the property.  Just gorgeous.

Ethan and Michael went into the cave as far as they could see, but we later found out it went on much further.  Where's our spelunking gear when we really need it?!

Posing in front of the water...

With so much to do, there was no time to nap.  But, when you're only two, lack of sleep is bound to catch up with you sooner or later.  For Cameron, it was at the table eating his chili when he finally couldn't fight it any longer.  Think he was having any fun there?

We so enjoyed our time at the cabin and wished we could stay longer.  There was so much to do and explore.  What a wonderful way to spend some really neat quality time with family.  Hopefully we get a chance to go back sometime.  Thanks Grammy!

Time for another road trip...

Christmas 2011 - Santa Comes

'Twas two days before Christmas, and we're grinning ear to ear.

Because Christmas at the Burtram's would come early this year!

I contacted Santa and he kindly agreed,

An early home visit was what we would need.

For on Christmas day, we would be in the car,

To visit our families who live near and far.

So we welcomed ol' Santa and opened our gifts,

Then loaded up the car to start our road trips!

Santa took the minimalist approach this year, bringing our gifts to each of us with a theme of "something to wear, something to read, something you want and something you need," and of course a stocking filled with goodies too.

Sam seemed to be most impressed with the candy canes in his brothers' stockings.

We played a scavenger hunt with the big boys this year to find their big gift.  They each had the first of six clues hidden in their stockings and had to figure out the rhymes to find the next clue.  Evan knew his last clue was on the pickle ornament on the tree but, now to actually find it...

 After the scavenger hunt was over, we all sat down to open the rest of our gifts.

Books to read, trapper-keepers for school, new slippers and pj's, and i-tunes gift cards made the list for the big boys.

Sam got new sock monkey gear, a backpack, a "Llama Llama" book and Veggie Tales movie.  He also "borrowed" his brother's sparkling grape juice he got for New Year's Eve.  That Santa thinks of everything.

Folks, this is not photo-shopped, Sam's hair really looks this voluminous EVERY morning.

And what did Momma get?  A new fancy-shmancy sewing machine and a book to teach dummies how to sew.  Now to read the directions and sew something!

Whew, so much fun!  Now to clean up, shower up, pack up, load up, 

and head to the next Christmas stop!

Harper Turns One!

Harper's 1st birthday was a Winter "One"derland theme with snowflake decor and a dress to match.  Sam spruced up in his robot tie for the occasion as well.  

And, before I show this picture of our cuties together I would just like to say there was some kissing that followed (which I didn't get a picture of, boo), and since I am raising a gentleman, he didn't make the first move, just sayin.  But, I must say she has good taste...aren't they cute!?

Balloons were a big hit at the party, and Aunt Mindy gave one to just about every kiddo there.  Sam was admiring the balloons while Harper got ready to have her first birthday smash cake!

And, like all good parents do, Kendall and RJ opened all the birthday girl's gifts while the kids gathered around the singing Mickey Mouse and paid no attention to anything else.  Gotta love little ones.

A successful first birthday party by every measure!  Cute birthday girl, cute party decor, fun had by all!

The Twelve Days of Christmas

On the 1st day of Christmas, my uncle gave to me a partridge in a pair tree!

On the 2nd day of Christmas, my uncle gave to me two turtle doves and a partridge in a pair tree!

December 13 - Sam received two Christmas cards in the mail today from his favorite uncle Drew, both of which held Uncle Drew's signature trademark, prizes and stickers!  The first one contained the first line in the "12 Days of Christmas" song and a snowman stencil.  The second card had the second line of the song, two stickers and an angel on the cover with two shiny wings.  I had a hunch this was the start of something fun, but I couldn't be sure.  Tomorrow would tell...

So, we did what we do with all our Christmas cards and hung them on the garland around the windows to admire all season long.

On the 3rd day of Christmas my uncle gave to me three french hens, two turtle doves and a partridge in a pair tree!

December 14 - Sam received his third card today from Uncle Drew with three new stickers, and three sparkly ornaments on the front cover.  I think Sam is catching on too, judging by the pictures.  (Apparently, he also has a talent for reading upside down.)

  And, since Sam seems to be starting his own collection of Christmas cards, we decided we should display them all on his door to his room with his picture Scout sent him for Christmas.  He has quite a festive bedroom door this holiday season, and Christmas is still days away.

On the fourth day of Christmas, my uncle gave to me four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pair tree!

December 15 - Sam's card for today had four snowmen on a mitten on the front of the card and four new glitter stickers inside!  Sam was pretty grumpy tonight, so it was open card...and go. to. bed.

On the fifth day of Christmas, my uncle gave to FIVE golden rings...four calling birds, three french hens, two turtle doves, and a partridge in a pair tree!

December 16th - Today was Sam's Christmas party at school.  He had a great time, and I guess it put him in the right spirit to open cards because he yelled incessantly to go out and check the mail until I took him.  Today, Uncle Drew sent a card with five stars on the front and five new stickers inside.  He was unusually impressed with his stickers today, as you can see...

 And, I included this picture, with our real reaction faces, just to make this blog authentic.  We are really enjoying our 12 days of Christmas cards, really.

First Hair Cut

I'll be honest, Sam has a mullet.  Well, had a mullet.  A full out "business in the front, party in the back" cotton-top blonde fashion faux pas.  So, off to Keisha's we went for Sam's first haircut.  And, true to my supermom status, I didn't even bring a camera.  Hooray for cell phone cameras, as mediocre quality is better than nothing at all.  

Anyway, I sat him in the chair...immediate tears.  I guess one too many trips to the ENT where sitting in a chair meant being held down by 3 nurses while the doctor "vacuums" the goop out of his ears has left a lasting impression on my boy.  So, I had to sit in the chair with him, and this is as close as we got to smiling...

He actually did really well and Keisha is a pro with the little guys.  She gave him a great trim where he still looks like an adorable baby boy, minus the mullet.