Merry Christmas!!!

Christmas is always a very busy holiday for us since we celebrate at 5 different places on Christmas Eve and 2 more on Christmas Day! I know- its a lot of traveling! Last year, the boys slept in the car and were wonderful during our stops- and this year proved to be even better! They took naps while we traveled our 20 minute drives and played hard at our stops! They are so lucky to be loved by so many people! Christmas Eve, we started off having my dad & brother over for lunch & exchanged gifts! The boys got to add to their savings accounts and managed to get some really cute outfits and toys! 2 1/2 hours later, we went to Chris' mamaws where the boys racked up on TONS of clothes, pjs, and toys! After stopping by and visiting my Aunt Becky's for my dad's side of the family, we went to moms for her side! We ate too much and the boys got- you guessed it- more toys! Later after everyone left, we exchanged with mom & Greg! The boys got 1 of their favorite toys of the year- "Elmo Live"...its crazy how toys have changed over the years! We got home about midnight and carried our sleeping boys from their carseats to their cribs! Mommy & Daddy got to work being Santa and got everything ready for the morning. Christmas morning, the boys didn't wake up until 9:15 which was great! We got up & opened presents here at home! The boys didn't know what to think about all the toys! They didn't want to leave! After finishing up here, we headed to Chris' parents for our traditional Christmas morning breakfast with everyone in their pjs and exchanged presents there! At this point, I think the boys were just overwhelmed but had definitely gotten the hang of ripping into presents! Later in the afternoon, we went to Chris' granny's and the boys got more toys! After eating dinner at Chris' parents, were played Rock Band until late and ended up staying overnight! We finally made it back home and after 2 trips to pick all the toys up, we officially have a toys store in our living room! I hope each of you had a very Merry Christmas and remembered the reason we celebrate such a wonderful holiday! And thanks to all of our family & friends for the cute Christmas cards that littered our fridge and all the gifts that spoiled our boys! We love knowing that our boys mean so much to you all! This year, Chris and I spoiled each other but the real excitement came with watching our boys! It was pure joy! Enjoy all the pictures- it was a long post but I couldn't leave any out!

Me with my other half :)

Nolan Kole on Christmas Eve

Jonas Kade on Christmas Eve

Since the boys are learning to potty at daycare- Santa brought them a new potty too! This was Nolan's idea of what to do- sit backwards on it and put the bowl on his head!

The boys love their chairs and take all their toys to them!

The boy's new Pottery Barn chairs with their names...they LOVE them!

Jonas fell asleep hugging Mickey- and I couldn't resist taking a picture!

Jonas opening his "Elmo Live" at Mimi's

Daddy & Jonas waiting to open presents at Mimi's

Nolan with his "big boy" boxer briefs on...so funny! Thanks Aunt Neenan!

All the kids talking to Cindy on the web cam

The Brass Monkeys! Family Rock Band at Chris' parents house

Jonas excited about Rock Band! He's wanting to help his "Bessie"

Nolan playing with Aunt Bethanie's yorkie Allie

I'm going to claim that a tornado came through my living room!

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18 month Pictures!!!

I was not planning on posting until after Christmas, but I finally got the boys 18mth/ Christmas pictures back and I had to scan my 3 favorites and share! I was so happy with the pictures and even though the boys do NOT have on their Christmas outfits- the pictures turned out great! Oh how they are growing way too fast for their mommy!

A side note- thanks to all of you who called us in the middle of the night (yes, we do thank you), for all the text messages, voice mails, and emails when you heard about the tragic mudslide that happened less than a mile down the road! The mudslide did wipe 12 houses away and caused an unimaginable amount of damage - but Praise GOD that we were not affected! Chris and I felt the "earthquake" as we were laying in bed and didn't know what had happened. Then the swarms of helicopters made it obvious that something was wrong. Then when we looked at our cell phones, we realized how much we were loved considering we had 27 missed calls! We couldn't ask for better friends and family! Martha (my mother while I was at ETSU, in Johnson City)- I loved your voicemail- "Mandy, I just saw the news and I know that is your address! Please call me and tell me you are ok!" If you have not heard about it, WATE news has it on their website and Cindy found out by googling it. Pray for the families affected...its so sad to see such tragedy just houses down the street.

Hope the pictures put smiles on your face! I'll post videos later!

My Sweet lil Nolan Kole

My Sweet lil Jonas Kade

Happy 3 years!!

I'm a very lucky girl! Not only do I have amazing parents, 2 beautiful & healthy little boys, 3 sisters that are my best friends, awesome inlaws, a handful of lifetime friends, a job that I take a lot of pride in, and a warm home- I have a husband who is always my better half! Today makes 3 years of marriage for us and I couldn't say enough prayers to thank God for such an amazing husband. He never fails to make me smile, hold my hand, and show me how much I mean to him! I'm am truly blessed beyond words! Chris- I love you with all my heart. Thanks for always treating me like a princess...I don't know what I ever did to deserve such a wonderful husband but I'm forever grateful. You've always been the giver & dreamer that I wish I could be! These 3 years have flown by and I can't wait to see what our future holds! Thanks for always being my shining star...love you bunches!

Guess who is having a BABY!!!!

Not me!!! But I'm finally going to be an Aunt!! Leann & Moe are expecting their 1st baby due to arrive in late July! They are both so excited & we couldn't be happier for them! I know this has been a long journey for both of them and Leann has wanted to be a mommy for so long...God's timing is always perfect! Please pray for Leann & Moe- for a healthy baby, a wonderful pregnancy, and for less worries & stress! Leann told me she was pregnant at only 3 1/2 weeks and I've had to keep hush hush until now (which you know was hard!) but I understand her wanting to see the little heartbeat on the ultrasound before telling the world! So now I'm doing my part in telling everyone that I can't wait to spoil this little miracle rotten! Leann is 8 weeks pregnant as of Monday and is already growing! Leann- I know you're going to be an amazing mom! There is NO gift from God greater than being a mom. From the first wiggle you feel in your tummy, to the first cry, coo, and giggle- you will cherish every second of it! We are so excited for you and cannot wait to be Aunt Mandy & Uncle Chris! Oh the things my boys will be teaching your child....ha!

3rd Anniversary Trip to NYC

Last week, we made our annual anniversary trip! This year we went to New York City..as in an earlier post, this years trip was a surprise from my husband and while I have been looking forward to the trip- it was even greater than I had expected! We had such an amazing time together acting like kids, roaming around the city, getting lost and finding our way again, etc. We got to NYC early on Thursday. We found a taxi and checked in before wondering around and finding ourselves in an Irish pub! The food was amazing! We shopped a little before heading back to the hotel to get ready to go see "Wicked"...oh how I've longed to see this Broadway play! And you know what- it was even more amazing that I could have imagined! And to make it even better- Chris LOVED it! He thought he was just taking me to it and because he loved me so much, he would suffer thru it! Much to his surprise, he was laughing, clapping, and really enjoying himself! That said- the next night after shopping ALL DAY- we went to another Broadway play! "All my Sons" was starring Katie Holmes, John Lithgow (3rd Rock from the son), and another woman who I can't remember her name at the moment. (She is the first picture on the slideshow and played in Parenthood and The Bird Cage) Anyhow, after the show, we waited outside to see if we could just catch a glimpse of them (stalkerish, I know :)) To our surprise, we got each of their autographs and spoke to Katie Holmes! Chris' night was made when he had a whole 3 minute conversation with John Lithgow! And the play was AMAZING...they did an awesome job! We wondered around times square afterwards and bought several street vendor hot dogs which were great as well! The rest of the trip was spent shopping, riding the subway to see all the sites, and eating really fabulous meals! We really had the best time, but were more than ready to get home late Sunday night to see our boys! And they were excited too when they saw we had brought presents back to them! Enjoy the pictures! Thanks Mimi & Nana for keeping the boys! I'm sure they were spoiled rotten while we were gone! Babe- thanks for being such an amazing husband and never failing to show me just how much you care! I love you dump truck loads & more :)

We made it! Chris taking the luggage to a taxi

Macy's is INSANE @ Christmas!

The set of Wicked before the play started!

My Handsome Hubby

Us at "Wicked"

Fixing to leave to go see "Wicked"

This bakery was next to our hotel & the desserts were AMAZING! This was also where we went on our midnight pizza runs!

Chris' whole trip was made when he met John Lithgow

Chris in Central Park

Central Park

Katie Holmes after the play...she is soooo skinny!

Singing...haha! Its good to be a kid again :)

Chris being silly

Our bed...it was such a modern hotel

Being silly in the elevator of the hotel

Our hotel turned into a nightclub at night! It was awesome! These are the escalators...

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