We had so much fun this year having Christmas at home, although we were sad to miss the snow up in Dallas. For breakfast Christmas morning we all enjoyed gingerbread pancakes, then we opened our presents. We played all day and Ethan was pretty happy considering he was sick. We even had our own little Christmas dinner :)
Ethan got a little tikes basketball goal, a remote control dump truck, a fishing set for the bath, a book and some new shirts. Daddy got a new laptop and I got a new (BIG) handbag, so I can ditch the diaper bag! YAY!!! Despite all his new toys, little buddy's favorite thing to play with Christmas morning were some craft pom poms he found in the storage drawer under the washer. Simple joys!
Sitting on his present... he LOVES climbing on boxes!
"I'm big, I can do it!"
Daddy reading his new zoo book
First fishing pole :)
First RC vehicle... he loves remotes. Daddy loves this present too! ;)
Molly got treats for Christmas! Little buddy was feeding it to her and giggling the whole time!!!
A ride on his trike.. this expression doesn't do it justice! (Sick & sleepy)
Pom, poms!
Ethan and all his Christmas loot... and he's not even done yet!
The weekend before Christmas we went to Dallas to celebrate and visit with my family! In case you were wondering, no Ethan did not see snow :( We left to come home on Christmas eve and so we missed all the flurries. Probably best since poor Ethan has been sick with another double ear infection and sinus infection! On Saturday we went to my Aunt Sherrie and Uncle Bob's to see my dad's side of the family. Ethan had fun playing with his cousins and we enjoyed the fun games and visiting with family that we don't see too often! Ethan got a little people farm, an alphabet dino, a ride-on roadster that shoots balls, a golf set, and more.
Ethan and Easton playing with cars
Pop tickling Ethan
Opening his presents by himself!
Boys, Boys, Boys! Pop, Ethan, Lukas, Poppy, Easton and Mason
Some of his new toys from Lolly & Pop
Sunday morning we had Christmas at home with Gabby & Grandpa Cliff! Ethan got a tricycle, a tent, some puzzles, a tool set, and a very special book :)
His first tricycle!
"Tools so I can help Daddy build things!"
"I'm the best present there ever was!!!"
Playing in his new tent/tunnel
Grandpa Cliff, Gabby and sweet Ethan
Afterwards we headed over to Memaw & Papaw's for more Christmas fun! "Santa" saw, touched and chased chickens which he thought was extra fun! We ate some homemade Mexican food, lots of Christmas candy, then opened a more gifts! Ethan got a bubble mower, books, Cars racetrack, and some new clothes.
Daddy, "Santa", Papaw and the chickens
Video: Ethan touches a chicken!
Opening more presents!
The whole clan
As if this entry wasn't long enough... there are a couple more pictures I just have to share because they are too adorable!!! We are so blessed by this sweet boy and wonderful family!
Lil Buddy stole this biscuit right off Gabby's plate!
All bundled up for a ride in the little red wagon
Still to come: Christmas morning at home and Christmas in Spring (next weekend). I do apologize for the lack of brevity with this post!
WARNING: LOTS & LOTS OF CHRISTMAS POSTS/PICTURES COMING...
We took Ethan to see Santa a few weeks before Christmas and fortunately we were able to go during the week and in the morning so we were the only visitors there! Santa was so patient and took lots of time talking to us and letting Ethan warm up to him. Then we took a few family pictures before leaving Ethan alone with Santa... he did great! Not one tear was shed, and we even got a smile. Afterwards, we enjoyed a nice family lunch next to the big Macy's tree :)
We found this adorable Santa costume on sale and HAD to have it! We had a mini Christmas photo shoot with a strand of lights and some ornaments, and got lots of precious pictures... He will definitely be Mr. December on our 2013 calendar!
The week before Christmas we went to the Trail of Lights at Zilker Park. We parked at the mall and rode on a school bus to the park... Ethan thought that was too much fun! It helped that there was a little girl in the seat behind us and they were playing peek-a-boo. It was so so crowded there but we all enjoyed the extravagant lights! Then little buddy and I twirled around under the 155' tall Zilker tree before we got back on the bus to go home! We thoroughly enjoyed all this special family time!!!
We had a great Thanksgiving at home with my mom and Cliff! Lots of good food, laughter and our little sweetie's first steps. My what a difference a year makes!!! Last year we took these same before/after turkey drumstick photos and the little guy was sound asleep. This year the drumstick was literally just that! We have SO much to be thankful for!
On Thanksgiving morning Ethan took his very first steps! He continued to practice throughout the day and I think he may have gotten up to 5-6 steps unassisted. He is such a big boy now! It is very exciting (and a little sad/scary)!!! Yesterday he wasn't too interested in walking but today he took several steps to get his Daddy. Apparently he doesn't like to walk in pants... LOL!
Here are a couple videos of little buddy's first steps...
Well, Halloween was a bust this year! We took Ethan to daycare yesterday and they said he was happy and playing most of the morning. The afternoon was a different story however.... he threw up after his snack and they noticed a lot of discharge from his left ear. When we got him home he had a fever of 102.5 and continuous drainage from his ear. So, no trick-or-treating for us :(
We stayed home and handed out candy to all the other little gremlins and goblins instead. Then, this morning I put him in his costume to get a few "fake" Halloween pictures! He definitely has an ear infection, but put on his happy face for some precious pictures! I rewarded the little dragon with a taste of chocolate since he was so very interested in the peanut butter cups he discovered in his candy receptacle. In case you were wondering... he approves!
Exploring his jack-o-lantern bucket on Halloween
Precious little dragon!!!
"Momma, what is this?!?!"
These kids think they love candy... even though they've never had any
Ethan's first taste of candy! Mmmm... chocolate :)
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