Getting ready for Christmas

It is great to be excited about Christmas again. Last year we pretty much skipped Christmas - it was not a happy time. Jack had been home just over a month, but Luke was still in the hospital. Flu season was in full swing, the hospital had extra precautions because of swine flu, and Jack was not allowed to see Luke in the hospital. We took him up anyway and had a plan to quickly get them together, but it did not work. All we wanted was one family picture of our first Christmas. The boys didn't have to touch or be close at all - we just wanted one picture with the four of us... We didn't do much celebrating last year and didn't decorate at all - no tree, no lights, nothing.

This Christmas season has been so much better. The boys are into everything, crawling and climbing everywhere and screaming a lot, but at least they are both home and we can celebrate our first Christmas together as a family. We have been listening to some Christmas music and watching a lot of the Grinch and Christmas Carol movies (Muppets Christmas Carol, Flinstones Christmas Carol and Mickey's Christmas Carol). Our Christmas tree is surrounded by a metal baby gate to keep boys and dog from attacking the tree or snooping around the presents.

Jack checking out the presents under the tree


Trying to figure out how to get in there


Jack is getting more teeth and is very grumpy most afternoons. He rarely stays still or wants to cuddle, but sometimes he will now


Two crazy boys playing around after their baths today



Here are a few videos:

Luke dancing while listening to Taylor Swift. We were watching the live music from the 2010 NFL Kickoff season-opening game in New Orleans, and the boys liked it!



Jack and Lily playing on the floor



Luke playing with Lily's toy



Jack and Luke playing with Lily. Luke is not very excited and just wants to chew on his oxygen tubing...