A Night Out with the Boys

Will and I decided to treat the big boys to a special dinner to end out our Christmas season together. Will and I have celebrated 2 anniversary nights at the Melting Pot in Nashville and we decided to take the boys there.

We got all dressed up for our special night out.....







We sampled some yummy cheese fondue..........



We enjoyed a main course (chicken, steak, raviolis, lobster tail, veggies...........)



And we delighted in lots of chocolate (s'mores to be exact)............





It was definitely a delicious meal with 3 of my very favorite boys!





(Graydon stayed home with Grandma, Poppy, Aunt Shannie, Uncle Mark, and Cousin Ad - he had plenty to keep him entertained!)



a sneak peek at Gray's night via Aunt Shannie

Our Family's Christmas Top 10

We have had an exciting Christmas season this year. Clayton is officially the BIGGEST brother - reading from the Bible, lighting Advent candles, passing out Christmas presents. Hudson is able to listen and understand the stories of Jesus, enjoy the surprise of Santa, and help decorate for the Christmas season. Gray (our now toddler) is able to open his own gifts, run around and enjoy the festivities and enjoy family and friends (sometimes!)

This was our family's Top 10 favorites this Christmas season......

10) Baking yummy treats - This year was the first year I attempted my mom's chocolate fudge recipe. I have to say - it turned out pretty fantastic! Homemade chocolate chip cookies were also a necessity for Santa (as always)



9) Continuing with old family traditions - As we decorated for Christmas, we decorated the family Christmas tree together. Each boy opened his new Disney ornament (in honor of our big family trip this year).









8) Presents galore - We celebrated Christmas with lots of family this year! From Legos, Drums, books, musical instruments.....our boys were spoiled!









7) Celebrating birthdays - Our family celebrates birthdays of Clayton and Uncle Mark during the Christmas season. Clayton's birthday was celebrated 2 weeks ago (with his Lego bash). For Uncle Mark's birthday, we gathered for an amazing meal and celebrated with all of our close family. We also celebrate Jesus' birthday which we honored by celebrating the season of Advent and heading to church on Christmas Morning with family.





6) Christmas Eve Service with family- We always attend our church's Christmas Eve service with family that afternoon. This is one of the only times throughout the year that our entire family is together for worship.

5) Starting new traditions with family - This year we added two new traditions to the Daniels' Family Christmas. We celebrated Advent and we also strung popcorn for the boy's upstairs tree. Both of which we will continue in the years to come!





4) Loving family coming from far away - We have enjoyed Aunt Shannie, Uncle Mark, and Adalyn for the past 2 weeks. They will head home tomorrow to Virginia and we will miss them terribly. We also got to enjoy Pops for one day during the Christmas season, as he came up from Alabama.





3) Christmas Morning Service with family - This year was the first Christmas I can remember where Christmas fell on a Sunday morning. Santa came to visit the boys on Friday night and family gifts were opened on Saturday morning. Sunday morning was focused on getting ready for church and worshiping together - then more time spent with family on Christmas Day.

2) Watching cousins becoming friends - Adalyn has come to love our boys. She runs and plays amongst them - trying to hug, squeeze, and kiss them. Graydon shares toys, passies, and sippies with Cousin Ad. They have grown to love each other over these past weeks.









1) Cherishing special moments with the ones we love - We have made the most out of this holiday season! We have celebrated, crafted, played, decorated, baked, rested, and enjoyed each other to the fullest!

A few things Pinterest this Christmas

Since I did spend much of my holiday season searching Pinterest for cute, creative ideas for our home, for the boys, and for my classroom - I thought I would share with you a few of the fun things we stole from Pinterest and enjoyed this year........

1) Reindeer pancakes for Christmas Eve breakfast





Complete with bacon antlers, Hershey kiss eyes, and a purple grape nose! The big boys did love these!

2) Clothespin Christmas card wreath



I usually get quite a few Christmas cards that overtake my refrigerator each Christmas. This year, I made this quick and easy clothespin wreath to hold all of my cards. This one did get full - may need an extra one next year (=

3) Reindeer Chocolate Bar Favors



Instead of treat bags for the boys' classes this year, I wrapped individual chocolate bars for each child in their class. These were super adorable! - though after 35 of these - I was done!

4) Macaroni snowflake ornament



This idea came more from Ms. Kim Dennison than from Pinterest, but so cute - it's definitely worth mentioning. Clayton and I created several of these macaroni snowflakes this year. This was a fun craft and looks adorable on our family tree!

Now to find some super creative winter crafts.............

A Birthday Morning Surprise!

Since we celebrated Clayton's birthday party on December 11th this year, we felt that Clayton's actual birthday needed a small surprise. Thanks to my recent addiction to Pinterest, I found this cute idea for decorating your child's room for a birthday surprise!

After Clayton had fallen asleep, we sneaked into his bedroom and filled his room and bed with balloons.



(He is under those blankets - and I did use the flash to capture this shot!)

Then we used streamers to "tape" his door closed.



Luckily I had a chance to capture pictures of Clayton "breaking through" his Birthday Morning Surprise!







This was totally a hit at our house!
We will definitely do this again!



Later that day........"Thanks Mom for my balloon birthday surprise!" - Absolutely!

Remember when............Our Big C turns 7!

Today we celebrate Clayton's birthday. Seven years ago he was delivered so near Christmas (the perfect time to deliver a baby, if you ask me). He made that Christmas so special, one that we will never forget.



Because we came home on December 23rd - the family all came together at our home that 1st Christmas. Clayton's 1st winter was so cold, snowy & icy that we actually did stay in with him the full 6 weeks that is recommended. Clayton proved to be an irritable, fussy baby (typical of many firstborns - difficult!), but he did love to snuggle and be held. He was adorable and chunky and we cherished our sweet baby boy.












Since those first months, today Clayton is still a reminder of the sweet miracle of Christmas.

I could never have imagined 7 years ago what Clayton would be like today........

a Christian.
a big brother to 2 little boys.
a huge help to his Daddy and me.
a loving grandson, nephew, & cousin.
an awesome student and reader.
a hilarious joke-teller.
a giver of smiles & hugs.
a lover of the outdoors (but not very competitive).
a wild-child! - who keeps us on our toes.
a compassionate & funny friend.
a child who is generous and giving.
a child who (at times) is full of mischief.

We are so proud of the boy he is becoming!








We love you Clayton - Happy Birthday!