The Lutz Family 2012 Christmas Card

Here is a picture of our offical Christmas card this year :)

 

 and the back side...

 

I love to take a day in November to hire a cheap photographer to capture some pictures of our family each year. I treasure our pictures this time each year to compare how much the boys have grown and to use on our Christmas card. Unfortunatley this year, I spent a majority of my November capturing these moments for other families and have none of our own. I considered not doing a Christmas card this year, but once I pulled out our Christmas decorations and went through ours for the past five years I knew I had to do one. I knew a family picture was out of the question due to the time constraint so I went with a Pinterest inspired photo instead. Here is the actual photo....

I'll love this photo for years! And for the record... They weren't naked. Ryder was in his undies, and Landon had a diaper on. Derrik very politely asked me, "Babe, just out of curiosty, why naked?" I explained that they didn't have matching Christmas jammies, and their Christmas shirts just weren't cute enough for the picture. Also, if you visit our house often you'll know that is how they are usually dressed!!

 

Everyone asked how in the world I got this photo of my boys... Here are some of the out takes!!

 

Enjoy :)

 

 

 I cleaned up the whole house to avoid that "chaos" feel. I turned on Christmas music and explained exactly what was going on to Ryder. Once he was on board with me, I knew Landon would follow in his foot steps. He does anything his big brother does.

 

Here we are setting up. Landon sat right on the seat and took position for big brother to get his hat ready.

And the out takes...

 

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

 

Wordless Wednesday - Merry Christmas

The Weekend of Santa

As if we hadn't already seen the man in the big red suit enough, we had two more visits with him planned for this weekend. Friday night we attended Candy Lane. Candy Lane is essentially Hershey Park, but with lots of Christmas light, music, and no roller coasts. The lights were gorgeous and the adults appreciated them, but the kids were a little bored with it... oh well... we still got to meet Santa!!

 

 Having fun waiting in line

 Little man and I playing in the arcade

Saturday morning Me-Maw and Poppy had gotten us tickets to breakfast with Santa....

Another picture with Santa Claus... 

It was such a great year to have so many visits because our boys are just smitten with him. They practically jump into his lap :) 

My favorite little people :)

 

We also had one more encounter with Santa this season.... Last week Ryder and I were sitting on the couch cuddled up watching a Christmas movie. Landon was already in bed, and Derrik was working nights. I heard sirens like crazy!! I was just about to text Derrik and tell him they were freaking me out with how consistent they were for so long when I heard them get really close. I pulled the blinds open to see the lights flashing on my car in the road as if they were coming our way. I went and opened the door and could see coming down the street a fire truck with none other, but Santa himself waving from on top of the truck!!!! I yelled for Ryder to run outside, and we watched as they drove past the house waving and shouting "HO HO HO". Ryder was waving as fast as his little arm could wave and screaming, "HI SANTA!!!!". They circled our block twice so we ran from the front to the back of the house to make sure we saw him as much as we could. They then headed on their way just as fast as they came along. The look on Ryder's face is one I will remember forever. It was such a special moment with them. We then ran back inside since it came on so unexpectedly we were in the cold in our pj's. As soon as we got back inside Ryder said, "Mom, I don't feel good!" and puked everywhere!!! I think the excitement got to him!!! He was fine after that. A moment I'll never forever!

Field Trip to Country Meadows

Last Friday Ryder's class was invited to Country Meadows to decorate ginger bread cookies and play bingo with some of the people that lived in the retirement home.

 

This sweet lady was so sweet and patient with Ryder :)

 Landon found his way into another sweet lady's lap for bingo. He sat here with her forever.. he's such a little snuggle bug :)

 Mrs. 9 had completely lost her voice so she opted to feed the baby while the parents helped out during bingo :)

 She used every bit of a voice she had to help the kids sing some Christmas carols

 Ryder and his best buddy Jackson enjoying their gingerbread men and some milk

 Ryder and Mrs. 9

 Ryder and Mrs. Yahner

 

It truly broke my heart to know that while we were having such an fun joyous time with our class that such a horrific event was taking place in our country. I spent the rest of the day glued to the tv in tears. That could have just as easily been our class, and the thoughts are just too much to handle. It breaks my heart to know that such tiny little children lost their life that day, and makes me cherish the memories I share with my children even more then I do already.

SNOW!!

One morning near the end of November we woke up to this.....

 

SNOW!!!

Even though it was like an inch worth and the streets were completley clear my husband refused to let me drive to work that day. I might have wrecked our SUV pretty bad the winter we lived in Cape Cod during a snow storm :) So while he drove me in I got a picture of the Hershey Cococa bushes covered in snow in front of the factory.

 I BEGGED my boys to play wait to play in the snow until I got home. Landon had never seen it, and it was the first snow of the season so I really wanted to see Ryder play too. Luckily Ryder agreed pretty quick because he likes to make me happy. After they dropped me off they headed to K-Mart with Daddy to get some snow supplies. We had jackets and plenty of gloves and hats, but had yet to invest in snow boots or pants. You know you are a mom of a four year old when you actually get REALLY excited to see your sons new Batman boots!! I swore my kids would never ever wear that crap cartoons stuff.... Now I look everywhere for it! Landon got some cute "Lightning" (cars) ones as well that I didn't get a picture of.

 Derrik and I dug out our snow clothes as well, and we all headed out together. Even though it was only a little snow, our little hill in the backyard proved to be quite the sledding hill... we made it pretty far going down it.

 Landon wasn't too impressed with the snow at first. He hadn't seen the Cadillac in quite a while and was way more interested in that and threw a fit for it. So I pulled it into the backyard driveway and let him sit in it to watch the boys going sledding.

 

This is his "i'm really mad at you" face

 These guys were much happier!

 Getting my cranky baby back to his usual happy self :)

 Ryder going for another round down the "hill"

 Landon and I tried it out too

 After our trip down the hill he was ready to check this white stuff out

 My Loves :)

 Snow Angels

 Time to build a snowman

 

 

 They sure aren't riding shirtless these days!