Chatty Ashy

Asher likes to talk.  A lot.  More often than not we have no idea what he is saying,

but we are beginning to understand more of what he is saying. Most of it has to do with food (shocker!), but he also likes to say, "no" and "mine." He is so almost two!

The cutest thing he says is "gwait!" which is his exuberant way of saying things are "great!"

I know, adorableness overload, right?!?

Christmas Day!

By Christmas Eve we had hung our stocking with care,

and FINALLY put some presents under the tree (our littlest friend would not keep his hands off the presents, so they had to stay hidden for awhile)

The boys were wearing their matching pjs and were too excited to have sugar plums dancing in their heads!

The next morning at 7:15 on the dot, Caden ran downstairs to see if Santa had brought him the street sweeper he had asked for - he did! 

We had to wait awhile for Asher to join the party, but when he finally did he was just as excited to see what Santa left him - a new cash register!

Then we opened the rest of the presents - in record time!

A logging truck for C from A

Something pretty for Mommy from Asher

World's Best Dad t-shirt for JZ...

...that doubles as a road to drive cars on!

A hammering bench for Asher

Plus books, more toys, clothes...

Around 10 Papa, Gaga, Nana, and Grandpa all came over - and then the real fun began!

A new garbage truck for Caden

A pedal-less trike for Asher

Asher also received a Buzz Lightyear 4 wheeler that he loved and was actually pretty good at - except for the whole steering thing

While the boys took a nap (amazing!), the grown-ups sat outside enjoying the beautiful weather, warm fire, and brandy slushies (yum!)

And then Caden convinced Papa and Grandpa to help him put together his new Lego garbage truck

What a wonderful day we had! I didn't take as many pictures as I usually do.  It's part of my new resolution - to put down the camera and actually enjoy the moment.  We hope you had a wonderful holiday filled with joy and love!!

Merry Christmas from our little family!

Christmas Card Cuties

I love pictures.  They are super important to me.  I want everyone to smile, look at the camera, have pleasant looks on their faces, and for my hair to look good.  Is that really to much to ask?!?

When you have a 4 1/2 and a 1 1/2 year old, the answer is YES!!

I knew we were setting ourselves up for disaster.  Asher and I weren't feeling well, but the weather was beautiful and everything was set up, so we forged onward.  I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised with how they turned out!  But seriously, when your little subjects are this cute, how can you go wrong?

Just in case things had gone horribly wrong, I had taken a few pictures of them the day before

And in the end, the Zahrte Family Christmas card turned out pretty darn cute (if I do say so myself!) 

Dinner with Santa

In previous years, we have gotten to have breakfast with Santa.  This year, we got to have dinner with Santa instead.  The boys were SUPER excited!

Caden wrote his letter to Santa

The red blob in the middle is Santa, the green blob in the lower left corner is the street sweeper he was requesting, and the green circle in the upper right is the cash register that Asher wanted.

We met Santa at the Golden Gate Grange.  We took pictures, ate dinner, and listened to a story while we waited for the big guy

When Santa arrived he had a gift for each kiddo

Ashy got a new piano toy and Caden got the movie Planes

After that, each kiddo got to sit on Santa's lap and tell them what they wanted for Christmas.  Caden sweetly waited his turn, gave Santa his letter, told him what he and Asher wanted for Christmas and even thanked him for the Buzz Lightyear toy he received last year.

Asher was not the least bit interested in Santa - at least Caden took care of telling Santa what Ashy wanted too!  The result was the classic 18 mth old Santa picture

It was pretty reminiscent of Caden's visit with Santa when he was Asher's age

Hee hee!  One day they'll look back at these pictures and laugh as hard as we do!