Christmas at Home

Finally I have found time to share our whole Christmas experience. Please bear with us as it may take awhile.
It's been a tradition in Jim's family for years that we read "The Night Before Christmas' on Christmas Eve. Jim greatly enjoyed continuing this tradition as he read to Johnathan this year.

Johnathan opened a few gifts from Jim and me also. He got various books because he loves sitting and 'reading' them. We were glad to see Johnathan has started enjoying opening gifts also. It's nice not having to open his gifts and try to get his attention drawn to the gift.

(Of course Little Foot was there to help Johnathan out with his gifts to!)


Christmas morning came and Johnathan had quite a pile from Santa.


This Christmas was so different from last year because he was 'interactive' in this Christmas and could get real toys and not just clothes. He received more books, blocks, matchbox cars, a Mr. Potato Head, and a clock for his room. After opening his gifts he also assisted us in opening our gifts.



Johnathan has started to play peek-a-boo and everytime he got clothing he would put it on his head then pull it off and giggle. Here he is with one of Jim's shirts giggling.

After all the gifts were opened and we had breakfast of pancakes (They are Johnathan's favorite) Johnathan went into his swing while we got ready. When I came back through I found him asleep holding his Mr. Potato Head. Isn't he adorable?


So there you have our Christmas at home. I'll document our other THREE Christmases later as I'm getting tired.

New York and Thanksgiving

Finally I have time to share the details of our amazing trip to New York. We left on Saturday, Nov 22 for the long car trip. Johnathan was strapped in the back of the car and slept a lot of the trip. Unfortunately a baby will not sleep 12 hours straight in a car and the crying fits did happen. Most of this stemmed from being wet (including the horrible pooping incident), being too warm, and not being able to see mom and dad when it got dark.

When we arrived we tried to get as much sleep as possible to prepare for Carson and Johnathan's birthday party. Johnathan wasn't overly interested in opening presents but he did enjoy the Spongebob cake.



Carson was happy as long as Mom was right beside him.

After the party Johnathan was ALL about spending time with Cousin Tory. Their bond is very strong and most of us agree it is because she reminds him of Jim.

Johnathan especially enjoyed going to pick Tory up at college and seeing her dorm room.

After we picked her up we went to Carousel Mall to eat and do some shopping. Johnathan had his first meal ever ordered off the menu: Mac & Cheese. He ate all but a very small portion.

After dinner Johnathan went on the carousel. It was a little too fast for him but he enjoyed seeing Jim when we would pass him and liked having Mom close to hold onto.

When we returned home that night Johnathan slept well. Unfortunately Johnathan refused to sleep in his bed at all during the week. Therefore it was either in the big bed with us or sleeping in the chair downstairs with him.


But when a baby is this cute it's hard to be mad about it.

Johnathan greatly enjoyed Thanksgiving this year. He entertained at the dinner table by getting the giggles and shaking the whole table. He loved his sweet potatoes and stuffing and had second and third helpings. After dinner he was all over the place: playing with Carson, sitting with Grandma Beaty, flirting with Dave's girlfriend, and hanging out with Dan.




Everyone else was having a good time also. Carol posed with the kids.

'The Twins' Jim and Tory played video games.

And Gail spent some time with her children and grandchildren.

Johnathan felt like the center of attention which made him happy. The whole house was filled with his screeches of delight.

He was overjoyed when Tory came to sit with him.

Back at Gail's Johnathan did get to spend a little bonding time with Grandma Gail which I think they both enjoyed.

After going out in the crowds on Friday we took our annual trip to Schaller's for a couple of 'ground rounds on a hard roll'. Then we returned home to pack our bags to prepare for our trip home. Saturday morning we went to Carol's for a goodbye Christmas bunch. Johnathan got to open some more presents, cuddle with Aunt Carol, and we got to say our good-byes to Skyler and Carson (Tory was gone to a friends).






We then piled in the car - with our new portable DVD player to entertain Johnathan and headed home. Once again this was the common scene of the backseat.

It was a fantastic trip and we can't wait to go back again.

Halloween Fun

Well Johnathan celebrated his second Halloween this year. It was wonderful; especially since I wasn't confined to the house this year. During the afternoon Johnathan went trick or treating with Mindy to some local businesses. Here is a picture of him in his Tigger costume (without the ears) and his full Halloween bag.


During the evening we hung out at the house passing out candy to the kids that came. Unfortunately we only had about ten so it looks like we'll be eating a lot of Halloween candy (which is never a bad thing)

Johnathan was very busy playing and looking out the front door. Here is a couple of pictures from the inside....


and the outside.


We also took some pictures of us with our pumpkin.



When trick or treating was over we headed over to see Bompa and Grandma. Johnathan enjoyed playing with Bompa and even cuddled for a few minutes with Grandpa.


Hope everyone else had a great Halloween!

(Our pumpkin lite up)