Happy New Year!!!

What an exciting year 2009 has been in many ways! We celebrated 4 happy years of marriage, and brought a new miracle into the world. Life wouldn't be the same without our sweet Ryan. Max has grown up so much. We have moved. Tony has been recovering miraculously. We've had a few life changing events that weren't welcomed; opportunities to learn if you will. What can you do? Well, we'll just thank our loving Heavenly Father for protecting us, and keeping us healthy and happy. We'll thank our Savior for His loving sacrifice and the example He has set and the comfort He continues to give. We'll welcome the New Year and embrace the very low key evening we are having (watching a movie and blogging) while Tony recovers from his jaw surgery. After two Near Year's Eve celebrations in a row that Tony has been on a liquid diet with his jaw wired shut, we are going to party next year. Anyone want to volunteer to baby-sit ;)?

While Big Brother Naps...

I will play with his new bike! Muah ha ha!

From December 2009

And then big brother wakes up and wants to ride it himself:

From December 2009

Christmas Pictures

For live action footage see the next post down. Here are some stills of our fabulous day...

Tony made Max an awesome workbench with handmade tools, screws and nails.

From December 2009

Ryan liked what was in his stocking. The rest of us got the typical orange and peanuts (from my side of the family) and magazine (from Tony's side) as well as a few special fun things for each person.

From December 2009

Tony likes his orange!

From December 2009

Traditional Epperson Christmas breakfast: waffles with strawberries and ice-cream (egg nog to drink). Ryan went against the norm and had mashed bananas as you can see in the pic

From December 2009

From December 2009

Then we read the nativity story and used the Little People nativity to act out the story.

From December 2009

Max showing the baby Jesus and looking like such a big boy. We loved his new pjs from Aunt Patty. They say, "Dad's Co-Pilot" on the front.

From December 2009

Ryan is modeling a new outfit from Grandma Kate

From December 2009

Max enjoying some new toys

From December 2009

I was so happy to get my outside broom

From December 2009

Tony was so happy to receive his new wrenches disguised in a (clean) diaper)

From December 2009

We had a wonderful Christmas that was made fun by seeing how excited Max was and how sweet he was. He kept saying, "thank you Santa Claus".

Our Christmas in Videos

You have to have the volume up to hear Max, but here he is coming down the stairs:


Ryan is just too cute:


Max opens his choo choo:

Being a Mom makes me Laugh Out Loud

Max loves to help me do laundry. So, today he was standing on the detergent bucket so he can reach up to the washing machine. I was handing him the clothes and he would throw them in as the water and soap filled up. He was also laughing like a maniac and I was just beginning to think...when he said it for me...

"MY CRAZY"

LOL

and then...to make it even better, while I was posting this, Max came in crying. I couldn't understand it at first but then I heard it...

"The Christmas tree hit me!"

Really?

Caroling, Caroling through the Drizzle

Last night we went caroling with some friends. Yes, I forgot the camera, which is disappointing to me, but we had such a good time. Max kind of wandered around splashing in puddles while it drizzled a little. I would so much rather have the drizzle than snow. The funny thing is that some of the houses passed out candy to the kids and one house even gave them dollar bills. We were caroling, not peddling so that was kind of different. Then we had hot chocolate and watched, "The Grinch Who Stole Christmas". Sweet Tony, then took the boys home and put them to bed so I could stay and play for a girl's night until 2 a.m. It's funny how very early we go to bed during the week and then it all goes out the window on the weekend.

"Grandma Nice"

It's no secret that Max and Grandma Kate are two peas in a pod. Max and Ryan got a surprise visit this last weekend so they were able to get a "grandma fix". Kate thinks it's a "grandbabies fix", but I think Max would beg to differ. Since we can't be together for the holidays, we exchanged a few gifts as well. Some pics of the fun...
At Bellevue mall

From December 2009

Making peanut brittle

From December 2009

Hanging a cute ornament from Grandma and an itchy Max

From December 2009

Thanks for the paper Grandma!

From December 2009

Max got an adorable set of Sunday activities from Grandma which he loves!

From December 2009

An under the weather but cute as always Ryan

From December 2009

From December 2009

Does this boy love his Grandma or what?

From December 2009

From December 2009

Ryan making noises that are only cute when a baby does them

From December 2009