Despite a bout with a stomach bug, we had a really fantastic Christmas! We were able to see our families and hang out with everyone before we all got sick, but not before infecting everyone else. I feel TERRIBLE about this!!
Anyway, we decided to give Lincoln a new pair of pjs each Christmas Eve. This was our inaugural year. :) I love the footie pajamas. They're so cute and I don't have to worry about his tootsies getting cold at night. He won't keep a pair of socks on for anything.
We spent Christmas Eve with the Schultz Family. From L to R: Lincoln, Noah, Olivia, Lexi and Sophia.
Lincoln had a great time opening all his gifts but I'm pretty sure this CAT bulldozer thing was his favorite. It makes noise and shakes. He loves to press the button. I, on the other hand, do not love the noises or the shaking. It's so loud! And there's no volume button! And the on/off switch is hidden on the bottom and to get to it, you need a screwdriver. Oh well...I'll let him enjoy it a little longer.
Lincoln's favorite thing to do at day care is play in the sandbox. We decided it was time he got his own. Grandma and Grandpa Schultz got him a fun sandbox to play in when the weather gets warmer.
Lexi, Amy and Drew's daughter, is such a sweetie! She's 10 months younger than Lincoln. It's so hard to believe Lincoln was ever this small. It won't be long before they're running all over the place together, I'm sure. In fact, she may be running all over the place before Lincoln.
Christmas morning was so fun!! When I was growing up, my favorite part of Christmas was opening my stocking. Don't get me wrong: I loved all of Christmas, but Santa always filled my stocking with the best stuff! Books, CDs, movies, jewelry, candy, fun little toys, even an orange! Nate, Joelee (if she was up early enough) and I would all sit on the heat and open our stockings until Mom and Pop would wake for us to open gifts.
Lincoln had a great time opening his stocking. Here he is playing with his favorite toy, a fake cell phone. He loves the noises it makes. It makes me laugh when he gives me the phone or puts it up to his ear (or on his shoulder) and says "hi".
Santa was really good to Lincoln this year! He got a lot of fun toys. His favorite gifts were an activity center, a tunnel and a plastic truck to ride around on. Lincoln has had so much fun playing with his new toys.
Christmas Day we made the trip to Grand Rapids to visit with my family. It was chaos, as usual! :) The best kind of chaos, of course. I didn't get any pictures of all the kids opening gifts (darn!) but it really was crazy! I know it'll only get more fun and more chaotic and even more loud (is this possible?!)
Lincoln got this great little magnet that hangs on the refrigerator. Right now he just loves the music it plays but eventually, maybe it'll help him to learn sounds and the alphabet. Although, I did hear him repeating the "K" sound the other day after playing this. Hmmmm...
This summer Kirk will have a helper to mow the lawn!
I love everything about Christmas. Everything. This year, though, one of my very favorite things was this concert Quin put on for us. She gathered us all in the living room, told us where to sit and played her new keyboard and sang "ABCD..." to us. Sometimes she sang different words, but it was always to the tune of "ABCD". I loved it.
We made a pretty quick exit after dinner (thank you stomach virus) so we weren't able to get any pictures of the kids altogether. :( These are all I have! Ellery (isn't she too cute with her new bangs??), Jason and Gianna.
The handsome-est almost 2 year old I know! Easton:
A big, huge, GIANT thank you to everyone! Thank you for the gifts and the memories. It couldn't have been a better Christmas.
Also, thanks to Gigi and Papa for Lincoln's new chair. He loves it!