Santa brought coal for Brigham!

On Sunday, December 22nd, we celebrated Christmas with my dad, Lisa, and my sister and her family. We started the day off with lunch at the Pizza Ranch!  This is possibly one of my favorite things about this get together.. I walked out the door with 3 boys and a handful of gifts.  I wasn't busy in the kitchen all morning preparing a salad or snack, or packing a cooler full of drinks for everyone.  It's one less thing to haul out the door.  So simple.  Love!  Of course it's a little more expensive for my dad & Lisa this way, but they insist on paying for everyone's meal!  Thank you again!!

After lunch, we headed to dad and Lisa's!  After some visiting, wine sipping & the kids getting their fix of the remote control race track, we tore into the oodles of gifts.  Dad and Lisa spoil all of us every year even if we tell them not too, but they truly enjoy seeing the kids light up with smiles with their new toys.  Such fun memories for everyone.

2013 Family Photo

A look back at how the pictures have changed each year..

2008.  The only thing memorable about this Christmas for me was that my dad & Lisa got me a snowblower!

 2009.  Now this is looking a little better!

2010:  Baby in my tummy!

2011:  Either we skipped a picture this year, or it ended up on Lisa's camera and not mine?!

 2012:  Baby in my tummy, they just didn't know it yet :)

Grandma & Grandpa with the grandkids!

 The tree full of packages prior to the chaos!

 All of the kids get a stocking full of goodies!

 Opening their first gift!

 Boston is SO into sharks right now!

Brigs got a new puzzle!  

Bronx is needing a nap at this point...either that or he's just ticked off that his dad is holding him!

 Boston is super pumped about his new football pj's!

 Disney Planes movie!

 Grandpa's 'bus driver' gift!

 Waiting patiently for Grandma to yell go so he can open his gift!

 His own drill!

 Play doh!

 His very own Ninja Turtle!!!

 We gave Grandpa a new work coat.

 Bronx's gifts waiting for him to wake up!

 Derek got beer glasses & mugs for his bar!

My turn to open a few!

 We got lots of useful kitchen items, bath towels & I got new slippers!

 The door bell rang..  Santa dropped off gifts!

 Santa left a present for 'The Naughty One'..  

 Brigs trying to figure out what it was..

Santa brought Brigham a bag of coal!  He was just so clueless, which made the joke so much more fun!

All the kids opening their Santa gifts!

 Santa was nice enough to bring Brigs a fun gift too...bath paints!

 Boston got his own kids shaving set!

 That crazy Santa even knew what kind of snacks the kids liked!

 Bronx woke up after all the other kids were done opening gifts, so he had the spotlight for his first Christmas present.  A big box of diapers!

Grandpa & Bronx

 And this is why we drive two vehicles to Grandpa & Grandma's!
That garbage bag isn't full of trash.... that's more gifts!

Christmas #1 down.  3 more to go!

Family Pics & Christmas Letter 2013

My friend Tracy took our family pictures again this year and did a fantastic job once again!  It was a bit chilly out, but they still turned out so good!

A father and his 2 ½ year old son lay, snuggled on the couch on a cold and blistery winter day in early December, watching the end of another masterful comeback by their favorite quarterback Tom Brady.  The Christmas tree stands at attention over in the corner, keeping a watchful and glistening eye out for anyone trying to sabotage the spirit of hope and cheer that has already seeped into the house.  From up the stairs, the fragrance of Cinnamon Bear and Christmas Cottage candles dance down to the basement and fill the family room with a nostalgic holiday warmth. 

As the young boy snuggles deeper against his chest, the father looks around the room, taking in this very moment.  The sight, the scents, the Christmas season is his favorite time of the year and this moment couldn't be any more perfect.  He glances down at his son only to see his 2 ½ year old's big, blue eyes staring back at him. 

“Dad?” the boy asks almost in a whisper.

“Yes, my son,” the father replies, wondering how anyone can be so perfect and innocent as a big smile starts to spread across his face.  His eyes gaze across to the tree as he can only begin to imagine what his son's question will be.  The father remembers back to being that age and all of the questions he had about the Christmas season... How does Santa get to all the houses in one night?!  Was Jesus really born in a manger?!  Can reindeer really fly?!  Do elves really make ALL the toys?!...  The father looks down again to his blue eyed angel ready to do his best to answer his boy's Christmas question ...

“Can you pick my boogies?!”

“WHAT!!!???...No! You don’t even have a boogie in there!”  the father stares back as all of his hopes for a holiday moment fade into the fragrances dancing across the room.

“Mom does!” the son whispers back as his finger points to his nose.  “It's right in there!”

Merry Christmas Everyone!!

That basically sums up the Gerdes household in 2013!  As most of you know, our family grew from 4 to 5 during 2013, and for those keeping track at home the score is now:

Gerd boys – 3

Gerd girls – 0

Yep, I now have my golf foursome.  (Not counting Jamie of course.  We tried a date this year on the golf course and by hole 5 I think she had had enough.  She was a good sport though, and that's another reason why I love her!)  Anyway, yes, we officially have all boys and the conversation above did happen and seems to be a pretty typical one at the Gerdes'! 

The addition of Bronx Legend Gerdes happened on the 9^th of July.  Jamie was sitting at home when her water broke.  By “home”  I mean Target.  She spends so much time there, it just figures that God would start Bronx's life in aisle 6!!  The delivery was good and everyone left the hospital only a few days after the birth.  He has been an amazing baby as well!  He kept the tradition of the Gerd Boys having big blue eyes and he is the spitting image of Boston when he was that age!  Rarely does he cry if he isn't hungry or wet.  I say “rarely” because he seems to be severely uncomfortable anytime I try to hold him, snuggle him or try to put him to sleep.  He starts off great, but with every passing minute he becomes more and more restless.  Needless to say, I have come to terms with it and have even used it to my advantage!! (Shhh, don't tell Jamie though!!)

Boston is growing up fast!!   This year he participated in baseball during the summer, and his first venture in the flag football arena during the fall!  The experience started off a little rocky, but by the end he loved the games!  Plus, this winter he is involved in the Y basketball program again.  It seems like all Jamie does is cart that kid from one activity to another.  He is in 1^st grade and he seems to be doing great. Everyday he comes home with something new that he has learned.  His ability to read and write gets better each day and is very enjoyable and humorous at times to witness!  There have been notes written in church, to family members and occasionally to his mother and father, that will bring a huge smile to your face and make you laugh out loud!  Boston is our oldest, and it is a new experience for us as parents to see him develop and learn new things.  It is an absolute privilege to be a parent to such a great young boy.  He cares passionately for people and loves his younger brothers and is an amazing big brother.  He still tends to be a story teller, some of which are not true!  But that is what makes him such an adventure!! 

The player card and stats are a little different for Brigs!  He had his 2^nd birthday this year and with it came a little bit of James Dean!!  Not that we don't love him unconditionally, but he might be hitting his rebellious years a little early.  I called Vegas the other day and they have the odds of him being naughty each day at 2/1!  In other words, put your chips down on “naughty”!  I absolutely love this about Brigs.  I love that he has his own way, his own line, his own swag if you will.  Yet, he can be an absolute angel and say the cutest and most precious things.  He likes to try and reason things in his favor and make it seem like his way is the best. He started riding his hand-me-down strider bike this year.  This is the bike that doesn’t come with pedals,  but helps teach the kids how to balance.  After a shaky start, he picked it up quick!  I think he might end up being a professional tight rope walker with his balance.  By the end of the summer he could balance all the way down the hill and down the driveway.  With the arrival of Bronx, Brigs has balanced being a big brother and a little brother quite well! He still tries keeping up with Boston, wrestling and playing sports in the backyard and yet, takes the time to grab diapers and spend time with his little brother Bronx.  When it is all said and done, they are good boys and we love them dearly. 

Well, on to talking about our family trips!... Ok... nothing yet... wait... nope... Yep, that about sums up the family trips.  This year, with the baby, summer activities and finishing our basement, the time kinda got away from us.  Also, my new position at Billion as a Finance Manager requires a few more hours a week so we are still adjusting to that schedule. The family didn't take any big trips this year, but Jamie surprised me with a trip to Denver to see a buddy and we spent the whole weekend golfing!!  It was awesome and we had a great time.  As busy as she stays, she always puts our family first and it doesn't get said enough, but I love you honey!!!... 

Well, I've rambled on long enough and I won't bore you with more descriptions of conversations we've had with the boys about boogies, poop, puke, cars, mud, owies, Superman, Batman, Spiderman, Ninja Turtles, Lighting McQueen, basketball, football, baseball, finishing all the food on your plate, things not to touch, and of course with three boys, wienies! 

So from the 3 Gerd Boys... The Liar, The Naughty One, and The Angel...

Merry Christmas Everyone, God Bless!!