Lilly's 1st Basketball Games

Last week we took Lilly to her 1st NCSU Basketball game with my parents. Lilly enjoyed looking all around the arena, wasn't bothered by the loud sounds, cheering, or buzzers, and seemed to enjoy the entire experience. Brayden didn't go to this game with us...he stayed home with Aunt Dana & played.
Last night, we were able to get last minute (and I really do mean last minute) tickets to the NCSU vs Campbell game in Reynolds Coliseum (where the Wolfpack used to play). Matt's parents met us there and we all enjoyed a good Wolfpack win!

It was a sold out crowd at Reynolds last night!

Brayden was getting a lesson on fouls from BB.

Merry Christmas

We started the Christmas weekend off by making homemade sugar cookies! This was the 1st year that Brayden really got to do a lot of the work with me. He had SO MUCH FUN! We rolled out the dough, made our own icing & decorated away!

Rolling out the cookie dough

Cutting out his cookies

Love this kid!Carefully adding icing to each cookieAdding LOTS of sprinkles!

Brayden's finished cookiesMommy's finished cookiesWe all went to the children's Christmas Eve service at our church. Matt had to run the sound so I sat towards the back with both kids. Brayden did really well during the service and at one point the band asked all of the kids to come down front & grab an instrument (ie shakers). Surprisingly, Brayden wanted to participate, so he, Lilly, & I made our way down front. Of course, when we got up there he just stood still & watched the band. At least he was willing to go...maybe next year! After church, Bryaden told me that it was Jesus' birthday! I am so glad that he is starting to understand the true meaning of Christmas!

At home after church, Brayden set out cookies & milk for Santa then headed off to bed.
On Christmas morning, we had to wake him up! Brayden was excited to see what Santa had brought & really enjoyed opening his presents up! Besides what Santa brought, Brayden also got the Cars 2 movie, new underwear (oh boy!), and a 100 piece Toy Story 3 puzzle (have I mentioned before how he LOVES puzzles and can zip through a 48 piece puzzle in 15 minutes or so?) illy also got more clothes, a new paci clip for daycare, shoes, and some new pacis for daycare.

Look what Santa left!

A new dump truck, Spencer, Mavis, and Cranky for Brayden!Lilly got her own suitcase and a new dress for the summer

Figuring out how Cranky worksDigging into his stockingHelping Daddy open his present from Brayden & Lilly. Brayden painted a coffee mug for daddy's gift!After a quick breakfast we packed up and drove to Albemarle to celebrate Christmas with my parents & grandmother.

Brayden got to be Santa's helper and handed out all of the gifts at my parents house.

Brayden got a portable DVD player, Toy Story 2, several puzzles, a Cars 2 game, 2 more trains, and an over-the-door basketball goal from my family (along with lots of other stuff)! Lilly got a Chatty Cathy phone, Glowworm, and activity table (for when she is a little older). The dvd player was a BIG hit on the car ride home Monday!! Thanks Grammy & Paw!

Buh (my grandmother) with her great-grandchildren

Silly boy!The following day, we loaded back up & drove back to Raleigh to celebrate Christmas with Matt's parents, Uncle John, and Aunt Dana. I didn't get many pictures, but Brayden had fun playing with BB, Uncle John, Nana, and Aunt Dana. Brayden got a race track/parking garage for his cars, lots more cars with a cars carrying case, Wolfpack wall clings, and Toy Story Potato Head toy with outfits for Woody, Jessie, Buzz, and Mr Potato Head. Lilly got lots more adorable clothes along with 2 bathing suits and a toy stacker .

Poor Lilly wore herself put!Brayden waiting impatiently for Uncle John & BB to put his race track together

Matt & I got lots of Lowes gift cards, a ceiling fan, new breakfast room light, vice grip, and shop vac. Pictures to come of the house updates :)

Christmas at the beach

This past weekend, we all went to the beach to celebrate Christmas with Matt's extended family. It was a short trip because Matt's office party was on Friday night. Thankfully, Matt's parents agreed to take Brayden with them on Friday night & we got a sitter for Lilly. It worked out great for everyone!

Oma (Matt's grandmother) had fixed a feast for everyone on Saturday. We had ham, turkey, green beans, butter beans, rice, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, salad, collard greens, deviled eggs (a family favorite), sliced tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers, biscuits, apple pie, and red velvet cake!

While everyone was together, we also had family photos taken by some friends of Matt's grandparents. We don't have these back yet, but the ones I saw looked really good!

Matt's dad also played at a wine tasting in a local wine/coffee shop at Sunset Beach on Saturday night.

Benny/BB playing the night awaySid enjoyed listening to the musicAfterward, we all snacked on leftovers and then we opened gifts together.

Hanging out eating leftovers...this family likes to eat!

Oma getting some Lilly love!Sid & Brayden were watching Toy Story when I went down the stairs.

They really enjoyed playing together this time!When they realized I had the camera, both boys ran to hide! Sid is behind Brayden on the couch! The kids got lots of clothes, a new book, a bear that reads "Twas the night before Christmas" & Brayden got a really cool gear building set!

Will & CharityUncle John & Aunt DanaThe next morning, we all took it easy (except for BB...he had to play at church).

Lilly & Aunt Dana even took a nap together :)

Eventually, we got dressed & headed to Uncle Sandy & Aunt Lynn's house for lunch with Matt's grandfather (Papa).

Dana & Mamie fixing our yummy lunch of baked spaghetti.The guys hanging out & watched football.Brayden & Sid playing together again. I love that they can play together unsupervised now (for the most part!)Even Will enjoyed holding Lilly...and he put her to sleep!Uncle Sandy & Aunt Lynn with LillyPapa and LillySid & Grandma NitaBrayden with his cool new truck form Papa & Grandma Nita

Even though it was a super busy, long weekend, it was worth it to see all of Matt's family! We always have so much fun when we are all together!