Merry Christmas!!!

Here are some pictures of all of our Christmas celebrations. To view the complete album you can click on the link to the right labeled "Prather Web Albums". Our first stop was the Prather side.

The boys can shave with Daddy now that they have their own shaving kit (its really Camden's but Carson likes to play as well).

Plenty of play food to play with.

Carson still trying to grasp the idea of opening presents. He was more interested in putting the paper in the trash. Camden and Mommy did most of his opening of gifts.

Our second stop was the Quinnette side. We went there on Christmas Eve.

The boys wasted no time opening gifts. By this time Camden knew what was going on and couldn't wait to open them.

So sweet. I wish I was able to get Camden to sit next to him but he was too into his gifts.

Dad is explaining how the Traditional Quinnette Christmas Game is going to work. This year's word find was called "2007 Red Sox Christmas"...imagine that:) Thank you Grandpa Quinnette who also participated but was unable to attend. To get a better view of the board there is a picture in the "Prather Web Album." Dad always puts a lot of creative thought into making each year unique.

Camden got a pitching machine. I am sure that this will get lots of use this coming summer.

Chris got an official St. Louis Cardinals batting practice jersey....I think that is what it is called.

Christmas Morning: I told Camden to go look under the tree to see if Santa had come yet and he came back and told me "Not yet, 4 days" (which is what he heard a little boy say 4 days ago). So after all our effort in trying to get him to understand Santa, because he didn't physically see Santa come into his house, he didn't think Santa had come. They still enjoyed their toys under the tree.

Later in the morning, Memaw and Papaw Q., Andrew, and Abby and Zach came over to eat breakfast with us. Memaw brought her delicious cinnamon rolls....and then gave the boys those suckers just as they were walking out the door....THANKS! These suckers might last them all year:)

Later in the afternoon we went up to Converse to see the boys' Great-Grandma Rennaker (Chris' Grandma) and the rest of the Rennaker family at his Aunt Sherry's house and then headed to Greentown to Chris' Grandma Prather's house. She has a jam-packed house with lots of kids around which the boys love.

Great-Grandma Rennaker

Yet another new toy...what are we going to do with all of their toys.

Camden and Daddy playing with one of his new favorite toys...the cash register that Great-Grandma Prather got him.

The Annual Ford Holiday Party

Last night we went to Abby and Zach's Christmas Party. Here are some pictures from the night. Camden had a great time and I think it was a little too late for Carson to enjoy it but he was still really good.

Camden camping out by the food and trying to reach the cookies all night.

Papaw, Abby, and Camden

Here Camden is doing one of his favorite pastimes....sweeping. If there is a broom in the house Camden will find it. This time he found the fireplace broom. He did this for quite some time.

I had to take this picture quick. Carson actually wanted Andrew to hold him. About the time I was able to snap the picture Carson was already squirming to get down.

Carson about to pass out.

Uncle Zach got Camden to pass out cups.

Camden hamming it up by singing Jingle Bells for everyone. He has to have a baton to sing so he was using Fenway's (their black lab) chew bone.

More wa-wa

After dinner last night Camden wanted a drink of my water, so I gave him my cup. A few minutes later I hear "Mommy, Carson's getting a drink of water too." I turn around and Camden is feeding Carson a drink. They were having a good time sharing the water without spilling it amazingly.

"More wa-wa"....translation "More water."

"Ahhhhhhhh!!!"

Camden being oh so careful not to spill it.

The art of learning to take turns. It has become an hourly task of mine trying to teach them that concept. They had fun taking turns this time.

Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells...

Camden had his little Christmas Party today and parents were invited to come at the end to listen to the serenade the 2-year olds performed. They sang Jingle Bells while ringing their bells, We Wish You A Merry Christmas, Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, and Away in the Manger. They all did a good job and yes Camden did sing. He has been singing Christmas carols around the house now for a few weeks. I have been trying to get him to learn a few. You could tell they had been practicing at school too because he learned them so quickly.

Here is a picture of his class singing Jingle Bells. Camden is at the end of the line in the corner.


It was hard to get good pictures because I had Carson with me and I was trying to video tape as well. We are at the end of the semester and I have to say that we are glad we decided to do the Mom's Day Out Program. Camden loves to go to school. He talks about his teachers all the time and every once in awhile you might get out of him something they did there. They don't focus too much on academics. It is more learning to follow directions and doing crafts, and painting. He has learned the Sign of the Cross and the beginning of a prayer they say before they eat their snack. I even think it has helped with potty training. I think he will definitely be ready for Preschool next year.

Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

I know, I know more snow pictures. We really haven't been doing much else. You would think we live in Minnesota or something. Camden wanted it to snow and I guess you have to be careful what you ask for. Here is how we spent Sunday until they came to plow our neighborhood (which they never came down our street). Our driveway has just enough slant for the kids to sled down a little. You would have thought they were sledding down a mountain they were having so much fun. They are small enough to not know the difference yet. Maybe next year or later this year we will head over to the golf course and sled down the big hills.

Here is our neighbor, Myah, and Camden.

Carson's turn. He laid on his back so he wouldn't fall over. He absolutely loved it.

Camden's attempt at a snow angel.

It took Camden all day but he finally got the driveway shoveled....oh, I guess Daddy did help a little.

Sporting a new look

Well progress is being made in the Prather household in the potty department. Camden has been doing very well at going potty at home this whole week and has only worn a diaper/pull-up to sleep in. And today he wore a Pull-up to school and went there as well. We are very excited for him (and for the thought of cutting our diaper supply in half), so please comment on this new feat if you get the chance to see him. I am sure he will be very embarassed of this picture some day but he is very proud of it now so of course we had to share it.

Sledding and Snowman Building

Thought I would add a few more pictures from our snow outings. We got out the sled for a little bit and mommy got a good workout from pulling them around.

Camden wanted a shot at trying to pull Carson but I don't think Carson moved an inch.

Had to record Camden's first snowball he made all by himself.

Finally Daddy got a chance over the weekend to play in the snow with the boys. Camden decided he wanted to make a polar bear. Not bad when you are working with snow that had melted a little and was starting to freeze again because it was getting dark out. They literally played under the lights for awhile.

First Snow of the Winter!

Well we finally had our first snow of the winter much to Camden's delight, and it just happened to be a snow day for Camden as well. His school was cancelled. He says to me just about everyday looking out the window, "Maybe its going to snow, maybe". It just about breaks your heart how much he like to play outside and doesn't get to do it that often in the winter. Well he got to play outside for about an hour and a half today, and will probably go back out after his nap.

This was mommy's view while they played outside. As much as I love to play with them, this is one time I was glad I didn't have to.

This is a paranoid mommy wrapping Camden up even more. After being outside so long and eating the snow I was afraid his skin would get chapped and frostbitten.

This is one of my favorite pictures of the day. I think it is so innocent and cute.

Playing in the snow

A bucket and a shovel work just as good in the snow as they do in the sand.

Here is one happy boy to be playing outside.

Carson is pondering whether or not to put it in his mouth.

Here it goes. Don't worry no yellow snow was around for them to taste.