New Year's Eve

Today was a pretty low key day expect for one thing! My mom got a NEW CAR. We were all so happy for her. She got a brand new Honda CRV. For anyone that knows TJ, you can guess that this was an exciting day for him. We spent a little time at the dealership helping her pick out her car and getting her through the paperwork. Then we left the dealership and went to IKEA for the first time. We had lunch there and that was a pleasant experience, then we started to go through the store. About 10 min. into the maze of products I looked at Chuck and said "we are done!". At that moment both TJ and Tyler were sitting in the double stroller crying. No store is worth stressing out a 3 year old and 1 year old! So we went home to let the kids get a nap and they were still in bed by 6:30 that night. Yes, on New Year's Eve they only made it till 6:30, I think we were up until 10:30 but didn't see any reason to stay up longer. I do remember the days that we enjoyed ringing in the new year by doing something other than sleep. I guess being a parent changes priorities just a little!

Foreman Family Christmas

Today started our week with the Foreman Family. Once a year my brother comes down with his wife and two girls from Memphis, TN and spends a week with us. They usual come the week after Christmas, so we celebrate New Year's together each year. We always wait and exchange gifts with them once they get here. We have a "mock" Christmas day and do all the things you would do on a real Christmas day. This year we started out with a breakfast at our house. When then made the long walk to Gram's and opened stockings followed by presents. This year my mom gave us a week full of activities and it truly was a TREAT!

After opening presents we had few hours of down time before we all loaded up and headed to Sea World for the Luau. None of us had ever been to the Sea World Luau and that was Dad's present for us this year, we had such a great time. TJ stared at the stage the entire evening. The Luau is a dinner show, so you are supposed to eat during the show. After dessert had been served and the show was over the house lights came up. We were gathering our things to leave and TJ looks at me and says, "I didn't get to eat". We had tried to get him to eat during the show but he was too busy "watching". Later on in the week, as he was reflecting on the Luau he told us that he liked the part where the man stirred the fire. I just love the cute way he describes things. The Foreman family Christmas day was wonderful and a great start to our week of family fun.

HAY RIDE!

TJ with his friend Jade on our 6th annual Christmas caroling hay ride. For the past 6 years we have filled Chuck's truck with hay and kids (big and small) to carol around the neighborhood. We look at Christmas lights and sing Christmas carols as we ride around. Every year we have a great time and this year was the same. My sister hosted the dessert / hay ride event at her house. We enjoyed a variety of pies, brownies, and appetizers. She also had a cake for Jesus. When it was time to go TJ looked at his Aunt and said, "thanks for throwing a great birthday party". She looked at him and said "what", he said, "Jesus' birthday party, I liked it, thanks". We both thought it was so sweet that he knew Christmas was going to end with a party for Jesus. It was a lot of fun and I am sure it will continue to be a tradition that we enjoy together as a family. Even if our necks do feel a little red after the hay ride!

Baby Jesus

Ever since we put up our Christmas tree we have had an empty manger sitting under the tree. On Christmas morning baby Jesus joins us and is placed in the manger before the kids get up. We allow TJ and Tyler to take care of baby Jesus and he will stay out until the Christmas tree comes down. It is sweet to watch TJ be gentle with baby Jesus, I wish I could get him to be that gentle with Tyler!

Santa Came!

Santa Clause did not miss the Fritts' house this year. About a month ago TJ saw a tool bench on T.V. Ever since then he has been asking for Santa to bring him a tool bench. We knew how excited he would be if Santa really did bring him what he wanted. So, we set our alarms for 5:30 am so we could be "ready" when the boys woke up. We didn't want to miss anything. My mom was told to be over at 6:00 so she wouldn't miss anything. As you can image we were ready and excited when at 6:20 we heard a little voice saying "I'm awake". We were unsure of what kind of mood he would be in but we did know that when he came out and saw what Santa had left he would be excited. As TJ slowly came around the corner we asked him to look for the tool bench. He looked under the tree and didn't see a tool bench. As he came around the corner he saw his tool bench and I think it was much more than he expected. He pointed and said "there it is"! He was still sleepy from waking up but he was ready to get to work. TJ had informed Chuck and me the day before that there were a lot of things that needed to be fixed at our house and that he would be happy to fix them once he got his tool bench!

Around 7:00 we heard the "cries" of our second little boy! My mom went in to get him and he "stumbled" out to see the BIKE that was left for him. Santa did REALLY good with this one. Tyler wakes up and wants his milk and banana RIGHT AWAY (like a little old man)! But when he saw his bike he got right on and stayed on for about 15 min. He continued to play with it throughout the day.

Santa did not forget to fills the boys stockings. They both enjoyed reaching in to find what had been left inside for them. We enjoyed getting to see the boys "feel" the magic of Christmas. We look forward to many more Christmas mornings and the magic they will bring.

Christmas Eve

We have several Christmas traditions that we enjoy over the Christmas holiday. One of my favorites is attending the Christmas Eve Candlelight service at our church. This year we all agreed it was one of the prettiest services we had ever been to. The service was at 5:00 and our 5,000 seat auditorium was standing room only. They even started seating people in the choir loft (since it was empty). It was a beautiful sight to see all those candles. The tradition of going to the Christmas Eve service and ending the service with Silent Night is what starts Christmas for me. This year was no different. I am thankful that I live in a country where I can freely worship the Lord and celebrate our savior's birth.
We started a new tradition this Christmas with TJ and Tyler. We allowed them to open one gift on Christmas Eve. Their one gift was new Christmas pajamas. The boys looked SO cute dressed in their Santa pajamas.

Fritts' Family Christmas

We went to Sea World with Chuck's family today! We had the best time. TJ and Tyler are blessed to have cousins that are about the same age as they are. It was so neat to see the kids together and watch them enjoy each other.








TJ and his cousin Olivia with Mr. Penguin.
















After Sea World we came back to our house and exchanged Christmas presents. TJ was SO proud of his present from Granny. He could see something with Lightening McQueen on it and knew that present was for him. He was so proud to put on his Lightening McQueen pajamas.



TJ and Olivia helped Ella with her present. We are so thankful for our family and enjoyed spending the day with them.

Chocolate Anyone?

TJ helped me make a Chocolate Cheesecake today. He was SO cute, I just had to share it with everyone. He woke up from his nap (I am never sure the "mood" he will be in after a nap) and came into the kitchen where I had just started on the cheesecake. He asked me what I was doing and when I told him I was making a pie he said "I will go get my stool and help you". I was excited that he wanted to "help" and that he was in a "good" mood. We had so much fun reading the recipe and putting the pie together. I am sure Saturday tonight when Chuck's family is here for "Christmas" dinner everyone will love it.

TJ's FIRST Christmas Play

Aunt Melodie, Uncle Jay (holding TJ), Gram, Granny, Mommy (holding Tyler) and Daddy were all there to see TJ's first "performance".

TJ had his very first Christmas Play at his preschool tonight. Of course, we were SO proud. I told Chuck how amazing it was that there were probably 40 kids or so on that stage and really we were focused on just ONE. As you can see from the picture TJ started out a little nervous (the fingers in the mouth shows it ALL). But, he eventually got used to the crowd and ended up singing very well and filling us with LOTS of pride! It is hard to describe what a great feeling it is to watch your child celebrate Jesus' Birthday in such a special way. After the play was over they had a Birthday cake for Jesus in the fellowship hall. I think that was TJ's favorite part. I am so thankful that he is learning the TRUE meaning of Christmas at such an early age.

Are they Brothers?

TJ is on the left (Christmas 2005) and Tyler is on the right(Christmas 2007). The picture of TJ was taken just after he turned one. My sister had asked if I had compared their pictures, so here is the comparison. I think it is pretty amazing. I guess they do look a lot a like. I know that they are SO different so it is hard for me to see how much they are alike until I look at them next to each other like this. WOW - I can't believe how much TJ has changed in two years.

Today I was eating lunch with the two boys at Sam's and a lady that was eating next to me asked if they were twins. I was SHOCKED that she thought they could be the same age (Tyler would have A LOT of catching up to do!) but when I told her no that they were just brothers she said, "that is amazing they look just a like". I guess everyone will always know that the Fritts' brothers are related!

Christmas Buggy Ride!

Tyer has WONDERFUL teachers at church! They decorated the Bye-Bye Buggy for Christmas complete with lights and ornaments for each child. His teacher hand stitched a 2007 ornament with Tyler's name and picture on it. It will be one of my most treasured ornaments. They even had "bells" for each of the kids to wear. You can see Tyler's around his ankle. He enjoyed his bells so much his teacher let him take his home.

NEW Park!

We have a new park in our community. It opened today for the first time and we wanted to go check it out. My mom's friend from Ohio is in town visiting so we took the kids for a picnic lunch. It is a beautiful park. It overlooks a lake in our area and has some gorgeous grounds. The park has basketball courts, a soccer field, baseball field and a water play area. The water play area will be great when the weather gets a little warmer. It is not a pool it is just a play area with LOTS of "shooting" water! When we the kids go and play in the water I will have to post some pictures of the play area. The actual playground area has WONDERFUL equipment. It has a toddler play area that TJ and Tyler both enjoyed. I look forward to many trips to our new park.

Miss MaryLou with Tyler

TOO CUTE!

Today was our Life Group Christmas Party at church. Tyler looked so cute when I got him all dressed up for the party that I just had to take his picture. He is at such a sweet age. We really enjoy having him around. He brings many smiles to my face!

Sea World with the Bliss Family!

We had a great time at Sea World with the Bliss family. All the boys had fun, they loved seeing that animals and enjoyed being together. They had a special Christmas Shamu show that both TJ and Tyler enjoyed. It was so much fun spending the afternoon together.

Gram's Birthday Picnic Party!

Today is my mom's birthday! My sister's best friends mom also has the same birthday as my mom. So our families met at the park for a birthday picnic lunch. It was such a beautiful day and we all had such a great time.

Tyler is enjoying the swing next to his new friend Luke.
Gram and Mrs. McClung blow out the candles on their cakes.