Busch Gardens at Christmas Time

We had the wonderful pleasure of going to Busch Gardens in Williamsburg during Christmas time.

The lights were BEAUTIFUL!!!

Sooooooo pretty and sooooo many lights!

We were able to spend some quality time with family too!

Nice for the kids to get to snuggle with Grandpa Allen and Grandma Gette.

The first ride the boys went on Vale wasn't thrilled about and Connor thought it was the Macy's Day Parade...  hahaha

yeah that's a happy kid... :-/

He was MUCH better on the next ride!  Look at that happy face! :)

Connor was pretty excited too...

Again, Connor's the Mayor of 'where ever' town... :)

Vale's hanging on for dear life but having fun!

Shay was just happy to be snuggled...

This is the ride that while we were in line surrounded by ethic people of all colors Connor starts yelling that the WHITE guys are the good guys... it was awkward... 

Guess they wanted to be 'bad' guys...

They let Connor AND Vale ride on the BIG swing with Jimmy... they LOVED it!!!  Mama was a little nervous since it is quite high in the air but I trust Jimmy... not so much the toddlers...

So bumper cars were a bit of a challenge... for Vale... Connor had a blast but the whole move your hands side to side and push your foot up and down thing wasn't working too well for him... :-/ poor kid... He had fun though!!

AND he got hot chocolate at the end. :)

I think Connor might have had a little something in high hot chocolate... this kid is crazy! :) 

We are so very blessed to have wonderful family and amazing opportunities to have fun!

Christmas Eve and Morning!

 When we got to Grandma Jean's in Virginia Beach all our family was there!!

Santa was even there!!!!!

Vale ran straight away to give him a hug!  Connor wasn't so sure... 

And Schafer was like... ummm can you hold me again mom please. 

This was a toy that Jimmy had given to Grandma Jean when he was a little boy now she was giving it to Connor!

The boys got a Polar Express Train from some very generous family!

This was a pretty cool decoration that Grandma Jean had in her house with all the Mahon boys names on it!

When we got back to Nona's house they boys opened their Christmas PJ's

They were all cute little penguins :)

They boys got to sleep in a tent which they thought was the best thing EVER!

And of course, as always, we way over did it with the presents... sigh... 

The stockings were too cute, I just had to share! :)

In the morning, before we opened anything we all gathered around and read Luke 2 and thanked God for sending His son to earth to be born a baby so that he could redeem his people.

Schafer wasn't diggin the whole present thing... he's like who is Olaf and why should I care... 

Vale immediately found something fun to play with! :)

Shay had more fun watching the boys open then opening himself.  The two older ones on the other hand were LOVING getting toys, clothes and movies!

Shay played a lot with the packaging... like every almost 11 month old... 

Christmas was so great this year!  Very magical and fun! Having kids makes it so great!

The Christmas Workup...

I tell you what, these boys are precious!  

If I'd taken this picture before the Christmas cards went out, this would have been on it!

If this picture doesn't make you love Schafer your heart is made of stone. :)

Happy, dapper boys!

Eating the left overs of the 'grinch food' I made (a form of rice crispy treat)

We had Christmas a bit early with my parents and the boys were very excited!

(including Jimmy...)

Shay was a pro at unwrapping presents :)

He LOVED those blocks there on the right... his favorite!!

We took the boys to see Santa, just for tradition.  I wish that the boys had been looking for the one that Schafer was in for because he was SCREAMING and it was hilarious! :)

Mike's Farm

We were able to go to Mike's Farm as a family and enjoy the cold, oh sorry I mean the lights, while bundled up together on a hayride.  It was lots of fun but we waited in line for a hour and a half!

This little guy was just happy to be there!

While Connor and Vale were excited to run around and climb all over everything.

I tell you what, these two are best buds and I love it.

A bundle of laughs and fun!

This was at the beginning of the wait, the end of the line... 

The boys were active and running around though the whole time.

By the time we were done, everyone was frozen and exhausted.

I love this family picture cause it's more accurate than the everyone stand, look and smile.

I'm pudged out squeezing a smothered Schafer, Connor's passed out, Vale's picking his nose and Jimmy's just weighed down with kids.

Ahhh... this is the life! :)

Figured I'd give you two bonus photos:

This kid's just too cute and loves to be just diapered. :)

Happy as can be!!! :)

The many phases of the Mahon boys

So Vale is really getting into that cute toddler phase.

This sequence is Vale in a nutshell.  He is so boy. So cute. So happy.

He's concentrating opening his present from the advent calendar.

then he looks up to tell me he tooted...

then he tells me it stinks...

... then he wants make sure I am smelling it...

... then he starts to giggle...

... then laugh hysterically...

... yup, he's pretty proud of himself...

Then on the other hand you have little Clark Kent ready to save the day with a dashing look... :)

This little muffin is a ball of giggles and smiles!

He really just wants to be your friend!

He latches onto any attention you'll give him.  He's such a sweetie!

Now this little pistol is entering a phase where he doesn't want to take pictures and the only good ones I can get are candid!  He's a cutie though and lets hope he grows out of it fast!