Decking the Halls, or Each Other?

So, we began our decorating for Christmas...

We had an enjoyable time...though at times, I use the word "enjoyable" loosely...

As we were sorting all the branches of our fake Christmas tree... my sons began whacking each other with them... Evan and Adam were beating each other about the heads, and Brian was taking it to every body's kneecaps....I said, "Boys, please use the branches for good, not evil....". Seeing I had the camera, in hand, ( I was planning on taking quaint pictures for archival purposes) they begged, "Mom, take a picture of us fighting!" Um...no...but then, they posed for this testosterone charged shot. I relented, and captured it on film, in the interest of staying true to our tree trimming experience.

Adam loves to decorate! He is so enthusiastic about it! I didn't take pictures of him decorating our car for the "Trunk or Treat" at church this past Halloween....I know, bad Mom...even worse...Bad Blogger. I couldn't find him one day, and when I finally did, I realized he was decorating our car by himself, I was really tickled with his excitement. I stifled my desire to say "Uh huh, okay honey....now hurry up and finish decorating the van so you can close the doors, and not kill the battery." I can be such a killjoy at times. Adam has taught me to try to focus on what really matters. Whenever he is in charge of the activity for Family Home Evening he always wants to get out the decorations for whatever holiday is coming up. Sometimes I secretly think, "Oh, Adam...I don't want to mess with all of that tonight....can't we just play a board game?" But, Adam continually helps me realize how important it is to find joy in our family tradition of decorating.

Here we see Brian in his after pre-school uniform. His love of Batman looks like it will span into the new year. He kept pleading "Mom, take my picture!" I am happy to oblige you, Batman...Um...I mean, Brian.

I kept trying, in vain, to get Evan to smile for the camera... In most of his shots he had a look like "Mom, puh- leeease!" This was the closest to a smile, that I was able to glean. This behavior has "pre-teen" written all over it, don't cha think? I love you, Evan! You are awesome!

Here we see Mike...who tried to dodge being photographed by ducking behind assorted limbs and children...but, I finally got my shot...because I cornered him...literally

From executing acts of violence to becoming "tree huggers". That's my boys! All joking aside...I had a great time with all of you!

December 2007~ Evan: 10years and 5 months old, Adam 7 years and 5 months old, and Brian 4 years and 7 months old~