Christmas Day

Christmas was a lot of fun this year; probably my best ever. Ryan knew that Santa was coming, or at least he could tell you that he was. But, I don’t think he realized that meant he was going to have presents on Christmas morning. He woke up as usual and came into our room to watch Clifford. He had just recently learned how to climb out of the crib, so Santa’s gift could not have been better timing. Ryan got a new Disney Cars toddler bed from Santa. His stocking had a Thomas the Train in it and he was thrilled. He got a lot of cars this year from everyone. He also got a track to drive his little cars on that was from the movie Cars as well. It is shaped like the big rig named Mac and now he asks to “play Mac”. He is really in heaven with all of the fun gifts he got this year. He tried not to get too overwhelmed but Colin and I ended up opening some of his gifts for him because he just wanted to play with the toys that were open. He got a lot of clothes as well this year, which is good because a growing boy always needs new clothes! Ryan also got some nice books to enjoy and his babysitter gave him a Spiderman dinnerware set that he loves.

Colin was given Guitar Hero II from Santa this year. He also got a whole lot of clothes (mostly dress shirts) which he loves. He wears dress clothes 6 of 7 days per week so he needs lots of dress shirts. Stu gave him another game for his X Box and he is still playing that every second he can get. I got him a pair of shoes for work and a movie. He got more clothes and stuff from my grandparents as well.

I got all kinds of neat stuff for Christmas this year. Santa brought me a beautiful necklace. I also got some very nice maternity clothes that I am excited to wear. My parents gave me bar stools and silverware and I’m really excited to use those new things. I got a lot of scrap booking stuff, some Christmas decorations, a few books and things from my parents and grandparents as well as new Christmas dinnerware and a Coach Diaper bag. I’ll have to cook a meal and have some people over next year so I can use the beautiful poinsettia dishes. Colin’s mom got me a juicer that I’ll have to give a shot. I look forward to making baby food with it when our little guy arrives.

All in all we had a very nice day. It was so special to be able to share it with a child. This is Ryan’s third Christmas but he really got it- or at least is starting to- this year and that made it quite magical. Stuart and Justin came over in the evening to hang out and play games. Ryan was busy playing with his cars the whole day. We had a lot of fun and are very grateful for all of the wonderful gifts we were given.

I know that there are at least 5 other cameras with pictures of Christmas that I'd like to have. So, if you've got pictures of us on your camera, please post them or send them to me. Thanks!

Gifts from Santa.
the stocking
Gifts for Colin from Santa.
Enjoying the new bed!
Opening gifts with Daddy.


"Thomas!"

a John Deere tracktor from Nana & Grandpa Bruce.
"shredding"

The Mac Track
Setting up the Mac Track.

My new necklace from Colin and sweater from the in-laws.

A close-up of the necklace. It is white gold with 6 topaz jewels in gradient size and seven diamonds wrapped around the outside. I love topaz. Colin got me a bracelet for Mother's Day and it is just beautiful. I say they represent my baby boys. Colin said this one is for the little guy on the way.

Ryan with his stocking at Grandma's house. He's wearing a Nike track suit from Nana and Grandpa Bruce.
Jess coming in with her load of gifts for the family.
The pile of presents at Grandma & Grandpa's house.
Grandpa opening his gift from Jess. He's got a neck brace on because he had surgery on the 17th.
Me sitting on my new barstools from my parents. Aren't they cool?

Sunday

Stuart stayed the night with us so we had some more time together today. I made chocolate chip pancakes and we hung out this morning before 1:00 church (which I hate). We're switching to 9:00 next year! It will be tough to get a family of four ready for church at that time but it beats 1:00 any day.

Stuart helps Ryan call Nana & Grandpa Bruce
Colin & Stuart
Colin & Ryan
the three boys
Mommy & Ryan

Christmas with Stuart & Brooke

They got us a gift for the new baby, that we decided to let Ryan try on. It was too small, of course. But it was fun to have him try it on anyway... I think. He wasn't that into holding still for a picture with it on, but we had a good laugh.

This is as close as we got to getting a picture of him in the whole outfit once we got it on him.
Brooke saw this Mickey shirt in Vietnam and had to have it. Ryan liked wearing it to bed that night.

Brooke & Stuart opening their gifts from us. We got Brooke a gift card to Pier 1 Imports so she can add to her Christmas decoration collection. We got Stuart and outfit from Old Navy and an X Box camera so we can see Uncle Stuart on TV!
Ryan opening his gift from Stuart & Brooke.

They got him one of those fun stuffed animal backpacks. This is a character from Ice Age. They also got him the Mickey Shirt (shown above) a shirt from Vietnam, and a pack of matchbox cars. He was very excited.

I got a Vietnamese skirt and pin cushion (very cool and pretty). And Colin got Call of Duty 4 which he has not stopped playing since.

Thanks Brooke & Stuart. We had a great time having you over and the gifts were wonderful! Brooke took more pictures of their visit while I was preparing dinner.

Man in the Red Suit

Did I mention that the Santa he saw was at the Harley dealership? My dad bought a bike there this year and they've sent him all sorts of stuff in the mail. One thing was an invitation to come see santa.

Santa

Ryan went to see Santa at the Harley Davidson store with Grandma and Grandpa this morning. He had been looking forward to meetinig Santa and I think the experience really met up with his expectations. So will it be next year that he cries, or is he going to skip this phase? I sure hope so, it's fun to see him excited about Santa.

He has learned that baby Jesus was born on Christmas day. He loves to look at all of our Nativity scenes and pick up the baby Jesus.

Thanksgiving Point Lights

It's been so cold and snowy lately that we decided to give the Thanksgiving Point Drive-Through Light Display a try instead of freezing our buns off at Temple Square. The wait to get it in was a little long, but Ryan really enjoyed looking at all of the light displays.

Christmas Questions

Here are my answers, post them on your site if you have nothing else to do this holiday season.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I prefer to wrap gifts, but the bags are fun and pretty too.

2. Real tree or artificial? I think the artificial is a lot more convenient, I remember one year our real tree fell down and broke about half of our ornaments- just a pain!

3. When do you put up the tree? day after Thanksgiving or at least by the 1st week in December

4. When do you take the tree down? sometime after New Year's

5. Do you like eggnog? can't stand it, but Colin loves it

6. Favorite gift received as a child? a white popple (anyone remember those?). The same day I dropped it in the mud and my mom washed it in the machine and the fur was forever ruined, I didn't get to enjoy it very much but I was sure excited about it.

7. Do you have a nativity scene? several. Ryan is learning that baby Jesus was born on Christmas day because of them, what a beautiful teaching tool.

8. Hardest person to buy for? my mother in law

9. Easiest person to buy for? Ryan and Colin. Ryan gets a bunch of toys and clothes, Colin wants everything, I just choose what I can afford.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? I've gotten some very unique gifts from my students but they're all given in love.

11. Mail or email Christmas cards? mail, but email would be a lot easier

12. Favorite Christmas movie? that's a tough one, Ryan's into Frosty the Snowman. I think I like the first Santa Clause with Tim Allen

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Black Friday unless I see something specific first

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? only for white elephant

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? too many treats, makes it so tempting. I guess maybe cheese ball and crackers

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? mine are clear, but like both

17. Favorite Christmas song? oh, there are so many to choose from. I like the DMB Christmas song probably the best and Jingle Bell Rock

18. Travel for Christmas or stay home? Home

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? if I thought about it

20. Angel on the treetop or a star? a star.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning? Christmas morning

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? driving in the snow, carrying a coat everywhere you go, not enough time to get everything done

23. What do you love most about Christmas? spending time with family, leaving the Christmas lights on all day Christmas day, some fun Christmas traditions, etc.

Air Force 1

"His Obsession "

Colin has had an obsession with Nike Air Force One's since his friend Peter had them in Baltimore. There, we bought a matching pair. He just purchased his second pair off of eBay for a real steal. Only thing is, now he just wants more. Guess there are plenty of worse things he could be into, but it's not a cheap hobby.