Christmas Cookie Decorator Extraordinaire

Want baking secrets from the top Christmas cookie maker under the age of 5?

Sprinkles... lots and lots and lots of sprinkles. (Be sure to taste test sprinkles first before applying to cookie.)

White Christmas

While we didn't wake up to a White Christmas, we were lucky enough to end the day with one. What a beautiful way to spend Christmas night... sitting in front of the tree, cuddled on the couch, watching it snow out the window.

The next day, there was enough snow on the ground for us to bundle the boys up and head outside for some good, old-fashioned, frolicking in the snow! We tried sledding on the golf course, but neither Charlie nor Chase really appreciated the blast of snow in the face during the descent down the hill. Oh, well!

We did have fun throwing snow balls, making snow angels and building our very own Frosty the Snowman.

Here is a picture timeline of our  North Carolina White Christmas...

Isn't it beautiful?! The camera doesn't do it justice. 

Chase was a trooper! He seemed to really enjoy himself, although he absolutely HATED his mittens.

Charlie, getting ready to go sledding.

You gotta have the picture of your kid crying, right? It's a right of passage.

As soon as Mike started pulling the sled, Chase quieted right down.

Doesn't it look like they're in the middle of the woods?

Dad and Chase, watching the sledders.

Not sure why Chase was saluting, but whatever! As long as the sled was in motion, he was happy.

Doesn't the house look pretty?

A big, wet, doggy kiss from Shelby.

Yes, the red car makes an appearance, even in the snow.

Dad, hard at work!

Charlie likes his snowman equivalent!

Making snowmen... this is when marrying a Yankee comes in handy.

Mike and Frosty.

Charlie's not sure what to make of it.

"Look, Charlie! I tackled and captured a dog!"

Frosty is the star of the show today.

Isn't he cute?

It's not very often we'll have a snowman this big in front of our house.

Chase, the Destroyer, ready to take Frosty down.

It's nice to live on a golf course when it snows.
Our house is straight ahead, directly through the trees.

Christmas Day with the Arning Bros.

Oh, what fun it is to have two boys at Christmas time!

Here is a photographic timeline of Christmas day with the Arning Bros.

Charlie's in shock. Santa is officially now his favorite person.
(All of the presents wrapped in red Santa paper in front are from Santa.)

Charlie is showing Chase all of the presents Santa left.

Charlie, eating the crumbs Santa left behind.

I don't think Dad is awake yet...

Chase, posing for the camera.

Dad's still not awake.

Chase knows that's just one more toy he probably won't get to play with...

Lining up the trucks and inspecting the wheels...

Shelby wonders where her present is.

A new fire truck!

And another truck Chase knows he won't ever get to lay his hands on...

Look at the determination on his face!

Mama's not awake either. (And she's looking a little scary, I might add.)

Snuggling with Charlie. (Not sure why I didn't at least brush my hair...)

Shelby, still looking for her present.

"All these presents and you couldn't at least get me one?"
(Just kidding. Shelby did get a couple of presents too.)

Chase looks delirious.

Oma seems to like her present! (She also brushed her hair. I should take a tip from her.)

A CAR TRANSPORTER!
(Thank goodness. That's all Charlie wanted for Christmas. Thanks, Cappy & Grandy!)

Charlie, doing a new 24-piece puzzle - on his own!

"I did it!"

Dad, enjoying his new book.

The big present!

Charlie tears into it...

"My own racecar!"

The aftermath...

He's already working on his own cars. He's a genius.

The quintessential Dad moment on Christmas... reading instructions. 

No, Charlie. You cannot drive the car through the house.

"Look, Mama! An ornament!" (He's excited. What can I say?)
(Oh, and as for the blue underwear, we tried to get him to wear pants, but you pick your battles.)

Charlie, opening Chase's present. Yes, Charlie. That's CHASE'S present.

So much for that being Chase's present. At least Chase likes pushing Charlie on it.

Chase finally gets to sit on HIS car. Charlie seems ok with it for the moment.

Charlie's checking out the wheels, of course.

And now, Charlie's mad. He wants to sit on the car. Ahhh... the joys of brotherhood.