A little pre-holiday cheer!

For the first year that I can remember since I've been together with Scott, the "no Christmas cheer until Thanksgiving has passed" rule has been lifted.  Who can I thank?  Mother nature.  Our January-like weather of cold temps. coupled with snow accumulation has brought on the need to spread Christmas cheer for all to hear.  I'm loving it!  I no longer have to hide my Christmas music obsession nor do I have to decorate my classroom to get my fill of Christmas decor.  I can do it all in the comfort of my home!

Unfortunately, with these cooler temps., we weren't able to put the last round of fertilizer on the grass before the big freeze.  But, we were at least able to get a few good shots in of the boys in the hopes of using one of the photos for our Christmas card before the Winter Wonderland arrived.  We definitely lucked out!  So much so, that I'm even willing to share the picture I'll be using this year.

The timing was impeccable.  Fresh haircuts, no major scrapes or bruises on their faces, and cooperating weather in the 50's.  I even convinced Scott to help me pull this off before the Lion's game started.  God forbid he miss one precious minute of their games.  At least they're having a good season so far!  It might even be worth watching the game on Thanksgiving with him instead of hanging out in the kitchen with my mom and the food prep.

Speaking of Thanksgiving, I'm excited to spend the day with my extended family that I haven't seen since Mother's Day and some not even since last year.  As I get older each year, I find myself being more and more appreciative of the holidays for completely different reasons than when I was in my 20's.  The realization that time continues to go by faster as we get older seems to really make me value the time that I get to spend with family and friends, especially on holidays.

My brother was in town this past weekend for a work-related trip.  He extended his trip to stay over the weekend to visit with us.  And, man, the boys were excited!  Sean couldn't sit still for the first half hour Eric was at our house.  Evan decided to be shy and stare him down for a while.  By the time we were at dinner, the boys were fighting over who Uncle Eric would sit next to!

We'll be blessed to have Uncle Eric and Aunt Ana home for Christmas this year, so he'll be back in a month and a half for five crazy days in Michigan!  I'm loving watching the boys interact and find common interests with my brother.  I guess my parents saving Eric's old Transformers in the hopes that one of us would have kids who'd like to play with them worked out.  Sean is obsessed!  Eric and Sean bonded over Transformers.

Transformers are sure to be added to Sean's Christmas list.  Our game plan is set for visiting Santa at the mall.  The holiday cards are ordered.  The boys' Thanksgiving and Christmas outfits are picked out and bought.  I've started my holiday shopping since names have been drawn.  And my "Merry Christmas" Pinterest board is full of ideas, recipes, and crafts! Christmas music is blaring through Pandora right now as I sip a cup of hot chocolate.  Fresh snow is on the ground.  And it feels so victorious to do all of this with Scott in the next room, knowing full-well he can hear the music.  Isn't life so much better when we bend our rules every now and again?

We're ready for you, holidays.  Bring. it. on!