This year we attended several Christmas events. The first for the boys was Christmas on the Promenade at Southern Adventist University. Nana and Aunt Lezlee took them all bundled up since it was very cold that evening. They enjoyed their apple cider and walking in the crowd.
On December 6 we went downtown to watch the Chattanooga Holiday Parade. We left the boys bundled up in the stroller so they stayed warm and we didn't have to worry about them running into the street. They liked the big tow trucks and the people dressed like animals the best. After the parade ended we decided to stop for a treat at Rembrandt's. David and Mindi enjoyed hot chocolate and coconut macaroons while Andrew and Ethan drank warm apple cider.
The following weekend we had two events on Saturday. First, a Christmas Cantata at the University church. The boys were impressed with the musicians and choir but quickly got tired of having to sit still and were also intimidated by such a large crowd. Next we helped host our Sabbath School Christmas Party at the church. We enjoyed a dinner, gift exchange and time chatting with friends. During the party Ethan fell out of a chair and busted his lower lip pretty good. It bled for a short while and he recovered quickly. Wow that boy is tough!
They both enjoy getting in the hot tub. Now that they are taller they have more confidence to move around to all the different levels. For some reason they were both happy to just sit in the chair for a while so we had to get a picture of the cute smiles.
Ethan loves toys that have moving parts. Here he is closing and opening the back gate. As they learn something they want to do it over and over and over again. A lesson for us adults would be to keep learning new things, and when we do, we should keep practicing until we master it.
Andrew is dressed and ready to ride the pony. He rocks so vigorously that the horse moves across the room.
When the boys first saw the Christmas tree they said "ooooh" and then Andrew gave the sign for "hot" though the lights only give off a small amount of heat. The breakable ornaments are on the top half and the bottom half has ornaments that are a bit more durable. They are usually quite gentle with the ornaments but have to be reminded from time to time to look or touch only with one finger.
Andrew loves the Christmas bells. He takes them off the tree and shakes them and sometimes even puts them back on the tree when he is done.
Ethan inspects the little bird ornament.
Christmas morning brought clear weather, about 45 degrees, so we took a walk in downtown Chattanooga. We did this last year too so it may become a tradition. At the end of the walk we let the boys out of the stroller to walk the pier and they both loved that. Andrew was nervous walking on the metal grating on the pier because he didn't like seeing the water beneath him.
Our Christmas photo after dinner with Crawford's, Zumstein's, McCoy's, and Walters. We enjoyed a great meal, discovered all the decorations that moved and Andrew and Ethan opened a few presents.
The dump truck was fun to ride and then be "dumped" out of it as the bucket was lifted.
Andrew and Mindi watching the clock that plays music on the hour.
