garcia CRAZY (but fun) christmas!

Christmas was a whirlwind of excitement this year! I don't think I sat. For like 2 days. Seriously. We spent Christmas Eve getting ready for the big event (to use a technical term that Jill and I discussed - I think I wrapped a "Bazillion" presents Tuesday night and Wednesday), exchanging gifts with our little buddy - Mark Thomas, going out to dinner before church, going to the Christmas Eve service at church, sprinkling Reindeer food on the front lawn (of which my OCD child Britton had to place just so), putting out cookies and milk for Santa, and attending the annual Garcia Christmas Shindig at PJ's parents house. On Christmas morning, we did the Santa gifts at home, then spent the better part of the day at my Mom's for gifts, lunch and family time. We did our annual 'tour of lights' on Christmas night (which consisted of Britton backseat driving, and Leyton sleeping through the whole thing). Whew! I'm worn out just typing it out.

The best part came Christmas morning when Britton and I were discussing the true meaning of Christmas, and I was so impressed to hear he truly understood the story of Christ. He rattled off answers to all of my questions with ease. PJ and I were so thrilled that all of our talk of what Christmas really was about had actually sunk in!

As for gifts, the boys CLEANED UP. I'm serious. If we don't own every toy ever made at this point, I'd be shocked. We have no more room. Santa brought Britton his first "Big Boy Bike," which he has been riding non-stop (Thanks Nino and Nina for letting Santa store it at your house!) Good thing he also threw in the helmet, knee and elbow pads because we've already had one crash. Leyton's big gift was the Learning House - we've seen this at friends' houses and it's always been a hit... I think once he can sit up again (the cast comes off Tuesday - YEA!), it will thrill him. It's hard to play with a toy like that when you are on your belly. :) My husband 'won' Christmas this year when he came through with a complete surprise - a new diamond ring! It's actually an eternity band, which is what my wedding band is. However, when we picked out our wedding bands, mine was so skinny (although beautiful - I LOVE it), the jeweler said it normally looked better with 2 bands - one on either side of the engagement ring. Since we funded our blessed event ourselves, I decided we'd just skip the second band for the time being (for cost-cutting purposes) and PJ could get it for me at some later anniversary or something. I'd honestly completely forgotten about it until yesterday. I told him he could get me diamonds anytime he wants! :)

Trenton and Britton looking very cool in their new sunglasses:

Leyton and one of his new favorite toys (which happened to be the toy Britton picked out as a gift for Leyton from him). I LOVE this picture, especially the big brown eyes!

The new big boy bike:

Leyton way excited about the Learning House:

Our annual picture by the tree:

tugging (ripping really) at my heartstrings...

During our stay at the hospital, my sweet boys (and nephew) brought some sunshine through the storm clouds... The first night, my Mom said that as she was putting Britton to bed, he got a very sad look on his face and said, "I'm very worried about my baby brother." So sad, but in the same breath, so sweet that he was so concerned about the littlest member of our family.

My nephew Trenton was the Lunch helper at school one day last week, and he prayed the following:

"Dear Heavenly Leyton. I pray that God has a bandaid big enough to fix your leg."

OH. MY. GOSH. Talk about making me cry - Trenton wins the prize with that one.

Mr. "I tell it like it is"

Some funnies from Britton this past week that made me smile (and right now, believe me, I need it):

1. On Tuesday afternoon, Britton and Gigi came to visit baby Leyton, Mommy and Daddy at the hospital. The nurse tech had come into the room and was chatting with us just a bit. She started to leave and asked if there was anything else we needed. PJ said, "We want a happy baby." (of course he said it with a big smile - it had been a very long day and Leyton still wasn't feeling well) Britton, who repeats everything we say, turns to the tech and said "I want to have your baby." Needless to say, he misunderstood what PJ had said and we all got a very good laugh. Britton was the hit of the nurses station long after they left that afternoon. :)

2. Apparently at school on Thursday, as Britton's class was washing hands, Britton had the following conversation with his teachers. Just to set it up a little, you should understand that they send the kids one or two at a time to the sink to wash.


Mrs. M - "Britton, do you know why you are always one of the last I call to go wash your hands?"
BK - "Because I'm talking." (I'm sure said very matter-of-factly. He sees no problem with socializing)
Mrs. M - "Well, maybe if you put your voice away next time, you could be the first one I call."
BK - Thinks about it for a minute, then says, "No, I like to talk."

And there you have it folks. Britton tells it like it is. Gotta respect the honesty. :) And apparently he has the "gift of gab" - just like his Mommy and Gigi.

For Leyton, I thought I'd post some positives from his week, which has been extremely hard. He started saying "Ba ba" (referring to Britton - who we call "bubba" a lot). He also started saying "Nah Nah" (night-night) when he's getting tired. It's so darn cute. He also had his forth tooth break through last week, so we now have the cutest 4-toothy grin on the planet. He's also mastered the art of mobility with a huge cast on his leg. He barrel rolls across the floor faster than you thought possible. He's not real happy about not being able to sit up, but he's finding other ways to play!