Happy Ho Ho Ho!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year! It was the first year that Maddox actually got the whole Santa thing, and he really took that to the extreme. For example, Jaxon gave Maddox a little Noah's Ark set that we have really had a lot of fun with.

Me: "Maddox, who is this?"
Mad: "Santa!"
Me: "No, that's not Santa. That's Noah."
Mad: "No, Mommy. Santa."

Wow. All this time, I've had the story wrong. God actually told Santa Claus to build an ark to save mankind. Santa. Hmmm.

Christmas morning...

"Hurry up and take the stinkin' picture." Toddlers just LOVE posed pictures!

Maddox got this kitchen from Grandma and Grandpa. Big hit!!

Mad and Mommy opening gifts.

This helmet came from Marmie and Daddoo. Today he wore it to eat breakfast. And lunch. And to ride his scooter. And to brush his teeth. He kind of likes it.

I got him this vacuum. I need help around the house.

Here he is using his new tool set to put together his new shopping cart.

Let's recap. He got a kitchen, a vacuum, and a shopping cart. Now if I can just teach him to scrub the toilets, I can fulfill my lifelong dream of spending my days eating BonBons and watching soap operas!

After Christmas we drove up to Tehachapi to spend some time with Jeff's dad and sisters and play in the snow.

A little different from last winter in Denver!

Yes, I'm wearing boots even though there is only about half an inch of snow. They're cute and they have little poofy balls on the laces.

Here are some videos of Maddox trying out his new roller skates (compliments of Aunt Mae and Uncle Ted). He was like a drunk monkey on those things, and he loved every minute of it!

Priceless

Merry Christmas Eve! Here at the Kreil house we are all about fabulous traditions, so last night we had dinner with the Young's and then loaded Maddox and Jaxon up for their second annual trip to Santa's lap.

In case you missed it, here is last year's picture with Santa. Let me just tell you that while our children were screaming with agonizing anxiety, Becky and I were in fits of hysteric laughter. We could hardly hold our cameras still to get a clear shot.



And here is a series of this year's photos. I just love Maddox's face as he eyeballs Jaxon, thinking, "What has gotten into you?!" Then he looks back to the parents (laughing hysterically again) thinking, "Are you gettin' a load of this guy?"

At least Santa was a good sport about the whole thing.

Back at home, Maddox and Jaxon exchanged Christmas gifts. In this video, you'll see Jaxon tearing into his gift with adequate toddler excitement. And you'll see tidy little Maddox channelling his OCD side. Christmas is going to be a long day.

It's Been A While

I usually try to do a better job about posting to this blog more frequently, but the "busyness" of the Christmas season has been upon us full force. We have really been enjoying the last couple of weeks, especially because Jeff is off for winter break. It's so great to have Daddy around! Take a look at the December activities we've been enjoying...

We met lots of family at Knott's Berry Farm and then had dinner at Claim Jumper. (Any day that ends with dinner at Claim Jumper is a great day in my book!)

Here is Maddox's new silly face. I have no idea where he got the long tongue. (Please pretend not to notice the dirty shirt. This was right before we went to Messy Muddy Toddler class, and he always wears the same stained shirt to class. I promise, I do laundry!! Once in a while.)

On Saturday, we got together with the Kreil / Grabau / Snook side of the family for dinner and gift exchange. Maddox had a blast playing with his cousins.

Later on, all the cousins decorated Christmas cookies...

... and about four helpings of frosting later ...

... Grandma gave Little Man a bath. Then he went off to bed in a sugar-induced coma.

The next night, Uncle Mark, Aunt Alicia and Erin came over to make more Christmas cookies with us! This time Maddox got to roll and cut the dough.

He ate most of the dough before it could be cooked.

What did survive long enough to be cooked was covered with a considerable amount of frosting and just as many sprinkles.

Not only has Jerry taught Maddox to do the "orange smile," but he has also taught him to pick his nose and burp. Thanks, Jerry!

By the way, we finally got the "is" in the memory verse! I'm sure you can tell that we always practice the memory verse during breakfast. Maddox is a very busy little guy, so we take full advantage of him being strapped into the booster seat for our family devotions and Bible study. It's the only time we have a captive audience!

I'll be back soon with more Christmas pictures!! Merry.

Memory Verse

Maddox just started attending the 2-3 year old Bible class at church last Sunday. He stayed in class the whole time and really enjoyed it! (Of course, it didn't hurt that Jaxon was there for him to play with!)

This trimester, their memory verse is from Luke (Children's Version) and says, "The angel said, 'Do not be afraid, Jesus is born.'" (It is too long for a little guy just learning to talk, so we trimmed it down and we are working on the last part.)

Life With A Toddler

I wish you could live at the Kreil house! We just laugh all the time. Jeff is hysterical, and Maddox is following suit. Both of my guys just crack me up!

Like any toddler, Maddox gets silly little ideas in his head. And like any toddler, he is pretty sure his world will crumble if any of his ideas are challenged. For the last couple of days, Maddox has decided that the world will not be alright unless he is wearing a sock on one hand. So today we went to wiggle class with a sock. At least it wasn't a pearl necklace this time.

Some days, one pacifier is just not enough!

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas

Our tree is up. Our stockings are hung. Christmas gifts have been purchased (thanks to Black Friday deals). When Maddox sees Santa, he puts his hands on his belly and says, "Ho Ho Ho!" We're so ready for the big day!!!

Thanksgiving 2008

The Kercheville's graciously opened their home this year for a wonderful Crews-Kercheville-Kreil Thanksgiving! The food was fabulous and the company was even better.

Dan and Carmen enjoying a friendly game of Ladder Ball.

Jeff and Andre enjoying a not-so-friendly game of ping-pong.

I have no idea how friendly this game of Mancala was.

Maddox "painting" the slide with water.

Janelle "painting" Maddox

"Put me in, Coach!"

Playing catch with Timbo.

A little help from Tata. (Maddox and Jaxon call this game pong-ping. The name has officially been changed!)