Southern Christmas, Part 2

Christmas day started with a visit from Santa - who looked remarkably like Buzz - putting gifts around the tree at 4:30 AM. One of the more popular gifts for Baby-Baby seems to be the Baby Einstein Activity Bouncer (we are making up that name - see pictures for the actual item). There were also multiple Sesame Street DVDs, some stuffed animals, and a beautiful James Avery pendant for Mommy from Baby-Baby (okay, Daddy had to make the actual purchase...). Even Miss Kitty got some toys in her stocking!

Decked out and ready for Christmas!

The Baby Einstein Activity Bouncer

Toys are tasty!

Time to go toy diving!

Mommy's gift from Baby-Baby

Later in the day, everyone went over to Great-Grandpa's house to visit with more family members, feast on turkey and ham and numerous side dishes and desserts, and give Great-Grandpa his Christmas gift from the entire family - a new computer! Baby-Baby also got an Alligator toy, and Daddy got the best gift of all - a nap!

I really like my gift!

Grandpa's new computer

Merry Christmas, everyone!!!

We are very grateful to all our friends and family who helped make this Christmas, Baby-Baby's first Christmas, the best it could be. It was filled with many gifts and good times, but mostly with love. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a Happy 2011!

Post-Christmas toy festivities - thank you all!

Southern Christmas, Part 1

Baby-Baby truly had a special first Christmas. Not only did he have a grand northern Christmas adventure, he got to experience a southern Christmas with HBS's family! Needless to say, there are a plethora of playthings lying around the house...

Festivities started on Christmas Eve, with everyone coming over to share holiday cheer and exchange gifts, as well as feast on many tasty num-nums! Baby-Baby gave each family member a photo-based gift to each family member, ranging from calendars to coffee mugs. HBS's mom gave a gift of a DVD of old family videos to each of her kids. Baby-Baby really enjoys the toy cars from Grandpa and the frog aquarium from Grandma. Overall, it was an enjoyable evening - karaoke included!

Mommy and me getting ready for the big day!

Me and my aunt - aren't we cute?

My uncle soon learned not to bounce me on his knee
too soon after eating...

All these gifts for ME???

Grandma showing me the froggies

Toy cars from Grandpa

Would you like to play with my cars, Grandpa?

Behold - the tasty num-nums!

You know, Grandma, Mommy may have a gift...
but I've got TISSUE PAPER!!!!

Can I have the silly string, Daddy?

Northern Christmas, Part 3

Finally the time came for us to head back home. We had a family dinner at a favorite local place called O'Charley's, followed by one last set of family photos. Baby-Baby was very stylish in his Santa Bear Christmas outfit, and really enjoyed spending time with Great-Grandma. The next morning, we took Grandma out to breakfast, then drove to the airport to head back home. Although it was a little more crowded this time, we still had no problems getting back. One of the best things about our trip was getting Grandma a webcam for her computer so we can now communicate "face-to-face". (Note: since our travel, we have successfully installed and set up both her and our webcam - communication is now possible!) That way, though it is sad not to be physically together, we can still see one another between trips. Overall, it was a fantastic first Northern Christmas for us as a family, and we can't wait until our next Northern adventure!

Stylin' in the Santa Suit!

The whole gang!

I just love Great-Grandma!

See? Snuggle time!!!

One last group photo

Breakfast with Grandma before heading home

Northern Christmas, Part 2

While we were up north, we got to visit with some old family friends. The two grandmas (Buzz's mom and Corky) have been friends for a long, long time. When they get together, it's pandemonium at best...laughing until tears fall is not uncommon! We spent a wonderful evening with Corky and her daughter and daughter's husband, along with their two adopted daughters. Much love and chaos filled the evening, but all had a great time. We can't wait to see them again!

She tells great secrets!

The humor just wears me out!

Thanks for the gift! Which one do I eat first?

"Now, that's the one with the hot pepper sauce.
Make sure Buzz gets that one..."

Chaos reigns!

As has become a tradition, we made a special trip to Krohn's Conservatory to see their Christmas displays - a live animal nativity scene, and a special Christmas room. We also took Baby-Baby around to see all the beautiful flowers and plants. Everyone had a fantastic time!

Real snow at the Nativity Scene

Hanging out (literally) with Daddy and Grandma

Grandma telling me pearls of wisdom...
but I can't stop staring at her earrings...

Flowers sure are pretty!

A family photo by the waterfall

Northern Christmas, Part 1

This year, we took Baby-Baby up to the North before Christmas to celebrate with Buzz's family, as his sister and her family had travel plans for immediately after Christmas. We flew, as a few hours in an airport/airplane seemed preferable to HOURS and DAYS in a car with a 6-month old. Luckily, the weather and the crowds were both acceptable, and we had no problem getting to Buzz's mom's house. The next day, we all got together to celebrate Christmas, exchanging gifts and relaxing with family. Baby-Baby had a hard time distinguishing between presents and the wrapping supplies (paper, tissue paper, gift bags), as the latter seemed to provide just as much entertainment as the former. Enough chit-chat, here are the photos!

Pre-Christmas warm-ups at Grandma's - feel the burn!

Got to carb load before the fun!

You say there's something INSIDE the paper???

Is there a combination, or secret password to this?

Great-Grandma got a Baby-Baby Calendar!

Christmas books taste yummy!

A dramatic reading - Ode to the Shiny Gift Bag

The family Christmas photo - aren't we cute?

With Grandma and Great-Grandma

All the cousins together at last!

Christmas Prep and the Nativity Pageant

Well, as noted last post, we put up the Christmas decorations right after Thanksgiving, so I thought some photos were in order... This year, because of all the changes in our furnishings (driven by the arrival of Baby-Baby), we had to put the tree in a different location. Never fear, Miss Kitty has still been able to use it as her "hiding place" - when she sits under it, she thinks no one can see her.

Oooohh...sparkly...

One slot left for Baby-Baby's stocking!
(and see the Peanuts characters by the TV?)

The Baby-Baby Pilates seal of approval!

Also, for the third year in a row, our family was represented in our church's Nativity Pageant. Buzz re-played his role as the High Priest, while HBS and Baby-Baby just relaxed in the warmth of our home. Of course, Baby-Baby had a "secret" role in last year's pageant - since HBS was playing the part of Mary, that made Baby-Baby the unborn baby Jesus! We are looking forward to the day when we can ALL be a part of the pageant.

Baby-Baby isn't sure what to make of Daddy's costume...

November to Remember

Okay, so we're less that half a month behind in updating...that's pretty good when you've got a 5 month old. November actually started at the end of October - we celebrated Buzz's 40th birthday on Halloween. Note: black icing tends to turn your teeth a darkish color for photos... Most of the month was spent absorbing Baby-Baby's cuteness. Of course, there were other events - we did the "final" garden harvest two weekends in a row, expecting the first freeze "any day now". We made some 80's style leggings for Baby-Baby - when you have numerous onesies and not a lot of pants that fit, you improvise. And of course, the big November event - Thanksgiving! This year, we were able to celebrate our son's first Thanksgiving the way God intended - by having someone else do the cooking! We went to HBS's brother's new apartment - very spacious and quite nice. The meal was excellent, and as a surprise early Christmas gift, we got a mechanical swing for Baby-Baby! The month ended with Christmas decorations being put up in preparation for Baby-Baby's first Christmas. We can't wait!

Enough chit-chat...bring on the photos!

Ah, youth....where did it all go?

What did I say about the cuteness???

Happy boy with his new leggings!

The founder of the feast!
That turkey is all dressed up with one place to go...

"I don't get it - doesn't EVERYONE get a bottle?"

My new ride! How ya like me now, ladies?

Watching Buzz carve a turkey drives some people to drink...

What a happy first Thanksgiving!

This year, the fist...next year, a DRUMSTICK!