Our 2009 Christmas, in pictures...

Bauerle Christmas Party

with my favorite redhead

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Christmas Eve Matinee @ Gateway

"Princess & The Frog"

I was kind of proud of the "winter wonderland"

table decorations we had to go with my baby blue china...

Brett, on the other hand, was very proud

of his Honey Baked Ham.

D-Lish.

We always eat our Christmas Eve dinner by candelight.

I think it's romantic and sweet.

Wyatt and Halle think it's fun.

Carson thinks it's lame and unnecessary.

The entire meal he kept saying,

"Turn the lights back on and blow out the candles."

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Openin' PJ's.

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This is the best part of the Christmas experience:

watching their faces and hearing their squeals

as they spot all their loot and surprises!

Santa left us a letter.

He also left us a Wii!

(I never in a million years thought I'd give

into the suggestion of buying a video game system,

let alone have it be MY idea!!!!!)

"Santa brought me a BUZZ just like I asked for!"

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Wyatt was super excited to get another Disney CD...

these CDs are great...all your favorite

Disney songs in one place!
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They didn't even notice the other stuff at first.

All they could focus on was their PEZ dispensers!

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Dear Santa,

after receiving my own Laptop and a new iPod,

I have decided I like being spoiled.

Can't wait to see what you bring next year...

Puppy???

A Fashion Kit for the industry's

next up-and-coming designer!

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I love that she loves "Seven Brides"

and the June Allyson "Little Women"!

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Burn Notice! YESSSSSS!

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Build-a-Bear with Grandpa John!

So super-duper fun!

Wyatt got a Broncos dog named Bob,

Halle got a puppy sewn out of Jonas

brothers fabric named Jo,

and Carson got a Jazz monkey named "Ooh"

(as in "Oooh-oooh-eeeeh-eeeeeh-aaaah-aaaah")

tonsils, anyone?

Yesterday Wyatt had his tonsils and adenoids removed. This was all for a good purpose (better breathing, which hopefully will lead to better sleeping), but of course it's a rough time for our little man. His "tonsil experience" started out on a real positive note, however, as his sweet preschool teacher gave him a very generous gift. Ms. Amy, worried about Wyatt in the most thoughtful & loving way, thought he would enjoy making a little friend to take with him to the surgical center. So Monday afternoon we headed off to the store with his "Build-A-Bear Credit Card" (as he called it).
Here he is stuffing his grizzly bear.
Wishing on bear's heart...make a wish, make a wish...
Giving bear his wish-filled heart.
Scrubbing him clean, clean, clean!
Carson had to get in on the scrubbing action, too... His little dino sparkled by the time he was finished!
Wyatt sure had a hard time picking out which outfit he wanted. It was a tough selection...the missionary? Batman? Spiderman? Go Utes? Nope...in the end he knew exactly what his bear should be: a FIRE FIGHTER!
And here he is: FIREFIGHTER CHARLIE!

Thanks, Amy...you're loved as much as your gift was...and it definitely helped him be brave!
At the surgical center, Wyatt charmed the pants off the nurses. He was in a very silly mood . So funny 'n cute! I'd been letting him wear our dinosaur nebulizer mask to get him used to the one the anesthesiologist would use. I'm so glad we did that! It really helped him be prepared and the anesthesiologist said he didn't cry or act upset one bit. In fact, he grabbed the "gas" mask to help put it on. Here he is below reading his "Curious George Goes To The Hospital" book to his nurse.

Is there anything worse than seeing your child under anesthesia? I just hate it...I lay in bed with him and held his hand, and it was difficult not to get emotional. Of course, when he woke up he was very upset and distraught. Confused about his surroundings and feeling miserable, I could only hold him--if only mothers could absorb their children's pain!
Once we got home, cuddled up in a blanket with some apple juice, he seemed to relax and feel a little better. Last night was a rough night, and Wyatt's having a hard time adjusting to the idea that for a week or so he can't eat some of the yummy foods his siblings are eating, but other than that, I think he's doing okay. The surgery went well and we're expecting an uneventful and complete recovery. What a champ!