Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Big Day Sunday
Wow.. Jaxson had his 215th Christmas today and again took home a load of new awesome toys. First we went to the Williams side of the family at my Aunt Lynne's. It was an early morning being in Altoona at 9am but it was a big day for us. We opened up kid gifts, took our annual 'grandkid' picture, and off to White Elephant we went. This year there were some pretty good gifts in the mix including the Set it and Forget it Rotisserie. Sam (16yrs) opened that up and would do anything to get it stolen so he could get something more his style. The people that came after Sam came and went and there he sat with the Rotisserie. Dave was up and without even standing he told Sam he was stealing the rotisserie. Dave and I thought it would get stolen and it was clear that my gift which was pretty good wasn't going to be stolen so I was stuck. Luckily for us all the numbers after us either had one or didn't have room for one and we came home with a Rotisserie! Dave is planning on setting it and forgetting it tomorrow night on some chicken. He is really excited.
The "pout off" (Good timing Dave!)
Best White Elephant gift.. and she loved it!
Bob was wondering where his wife went.
Ben and Fischer
Kyra
Waiting for his next present patiently.
Puppets!
The youngest of the Williams crowd
Then off to Elaine's Christmas gift. She always likes pictures so I stepped it up a notch and had a photographer meet us at the Botanical center and had pictures of all Dave's brother and sisters. It was a warm (dressed in warm sweaters inside the botanical center) but fun day goofing with pictures. Jesse, using his professional expertise, did a great job finding great spots for pictures all around the building. We should be getting them back soon and Elaine was surprised and really happy with her gift.
Then it was off to Cosi Cucina for dinner. We met everyone there after a pit stop to let the dogs out and fed. Jaxson enjoyed bites from everyone's dishes and played with some of his new toys that he brought along to play with. We ate a little early but snacked once we reached our next and final destination, Elaine's house.
I taught Jaxson some good tricks while waiting for our food.
We put on a fire and enjoyed company while unwrapping gifts. Dan, Dave, and Jesse spent most of their time putting together a toy as Jaxson was opening the next. Once he began playing with his Motorworks from Discovery toys he refused to even open another toy. We put together his Sit and Spin and he would spin until he was dizzy and then try to use the screw driver on his motorworks. He was rarely successful at this but continued to try for hours. He giggled and laughed, played and played some more. He played himself until he was so tired I undressed and put him in his pajamas while he snored once we got home around 9 tonight. Back to work then another holiday weekend starting Thursday..
Aunt Mimi trying out the sit and spin. Jaxson thought it was funny.
All together now...
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Wishing for a White Christmas.. and got it!
It was Christmas Eve already, I couldn't believe it. The holiday that seems to take forever as a kid to come came roaring at me like a freight train this year. But we did get it all done in time. My mom always would let us open one gift on Christmas Eve, it was usually pajamas but I let Jaxson open a book since I dressed him in his new pj's after his bath. He was so excited, even though the book was upside down he flipped the pages and 'read' the words. We read it for real when he went to bed.
All the real fun started after Jaxson went to bed. This was our first year of having to get things ready with Jaxson now being 18 months. Last year it was a breeze because he had no idea why he was dressed in funny red pants and laying on bright colored boxes. We got Jaxson a nice wooden (and blue) play kitchen and I stocked it full of food and pots and pans after he went to sleep. It was fun playing Santa, and I get alot more years at it too!
Me playing Santa on Christmas Eve
Christmas Morning..
Jaxson woke in a great mood and I let the dogs come say hi in his room which he thinks is hilarious. Then it was off to Christmas morning.We had the kitchen in front of the Christmas tree and as Jaxson walked out into the living he room he mad a beeline right for it, opened it up and started rearranging all the utensils I so carefully placed the night before. He continued to make out like a fat rat as my dad likes to say and it isn't even over yet. It is so fun to watch him open gifts and get excited, and it will continue to be even more fun each following year as the excitement grows. After he played with his kitchen awhile we tempted him to open a few more gifts. He opened his Marbleworks and he wasn't impressed with it much since it was just a box. He dropped it and quickly went right back to his kitchen. That was until we opened the box and maybe a huge marble tower, then he couldn't be torn away. He loved it. It is a must be supervised game since the marbles are small and it is for an older age range but he loved it and I had lots of fun building it too.
This one Jax and I did all by ourselves, and it was the first one. I was pretty impressed that I didn't ever ask Dave for help.
Dave and I opened a few gifts here and there as Jaxson was occupied with his new toys. One noteable gift for Dave was the Snuggie. He always jokes about getting himself a Snuggie but I know he is serious. The way he lights up when the commercials come on but won't truly admit he wants one. He doesn't have to want anymore, he will be snuggled up each and every night. Can you see the excitement in his eyes?? I can...
Then we were off to Dan's for Christmas with the Barry's. It was a house full but as always Dan and Jesse made amazing food. I should have taken a few pictures but you truly would have thought we were at a gourmet restaurant or had it catered. They were working so hard but it was seriously the best appetizers, moist turkey, and delicious mashed potatoes, carrots, and green beans I have ever had I think. Dan always makes great food when we are over and Jesse brings some recipe ideas that he has picked up at his favorite New York restaurants or from a worldly vacation they may have taken. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Jaxson opened some more gifts and quickly got to work practicing his swing with his new baseball game that Dan and Anne got him. Then a little while later he opened his gift from Michelle and Jesse and found the cutest baby backpack. He would only wear it around once it had a few toys in it. No more diaper bag for me, we will just load up Jaxson. He loves all of his gifts and he is still sleeping off all the fun.. and it's after 10 am!
We placed a bar stool in front of the tree and made people do a quick photo op. We didn't think of it until a little later in the night but still got some great pictures. My camera was having a hay day with red eye so some of my favorite pictures we look a little alienish once I did red eye removal and our eyes are pitch black.. besides that I love them all!
Yay.. a family picture. These don't happen that often.
Three generations. Dave, his dad Larry, and little Jaxson.
Jaxson and Aunt MiMi
Her knight and shining armor....
Our chef Jesse looks worn out and full.
Dan and Anne, our hosts for the evening.
Nadiah showing off her pretty bow.
Me and Jax, while he is working on his 20th cookie I think!
Kenny and Sierrah
Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob. Aunt Sue was enjoying not being the host this evening, even though she is an amazing hostest.
I have a feeling the tooth fairy knows Nadiah's address..
Anne's sister Karissa
All the real fun started after Jaxson went to bed. This was our first year of having to get things ready with Jaxson now being 18 months. Last year it was a breeze because he had no idea why he was dressed in funny red pants and laying on bright colored boxes. We got Jaxson a nice wooden (and blue) play kitchen and I stocked it full of food and pots and pans after he went to sleep. It was fun playing Santa, and I get alot more years at it too!
The BellyButton Book.
Me playing Santa on Christmas Eve
Christmas Morning.. Jaxson woke in a great mood and I let the dogs come say hi in his room which he thinks is hilarious. Then it was off to Christmas morning.We had the kitchen in front of the Christmas tree and as Jaxson walked out into the living he room he mad a beeline right for it, opened it up and started rearranging all the utensils I so carefully placed the night before. He continued to make out like a fat rat as my dad likes to say and it isn't even over yet. It is so fun to watch him open gifts and get excited, and it will continue to be even more fun each following year as the excitement grows. After he played with his kitchen awhile we tempted him to open a few more gifts. He opened his Marbleworks and he wasn't impressed with it much since it was just a box. He dropped it and quickly went right back to his kitchen. That was until we opened the box and maybe a huge marble tower, then he couldn't be torn away. He loved it. It is a must be supervised game since the marbles are small and it is for an older age range but he loved it and I had lots of fun building it too.
This one Jax and I did all by ourselves, and it was the first one. I was pretty impressed that I didn't ever ask Dave for help.
Dave and I opened a few gifts here and there as Jaxson was occupied with his new toys. One noteable gift for Dave was the Snuggie. He always jokes about getting himself a Snuggie but I know he is serious. The way he lights up when the commercials come on but won't truly admit he wants one. He doesn't have to want anymore, he will be snuggled up each and every night. Can you see the excitement in his eyes?? I can...
Then we were off to Dan's for Christmas with the Barry's. It was a house full but as always Dan and Jesse made amazing food. I should have taken a few pictures but you truly would have thought we were at a gourmet restaurant or had it catered. They were working so hard but it was seriously the best appetizers, moist turkey, and delicious mashed potatoes, carrots, and green beans I have ever had I think. Dan always makes great food when we are over and Jesse brings some recipe ideas that he has picked up at his favorite New York restaurants or from a worldly vacation they may have taken. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Jaxson opened some more gifts and quickly got to work practicing his swing with his new baseball game that Dan and Anne got him. Then a little while later he opened his gift from Michelle and Jesse and found the cutest baby backpack. He would only wear it around once it had a few toys in it. No more diaper bag for me, we will just load up Jaxson. He loves all of his gifts and he is still sleeping off all the fun.. and it's after 10 am!
We placed a bar stool in front of the tree and made people do a quick photo op. We didn't think of it until a little later in the night but still got some great pictures. My camera was having a hay day with red eye so some of my favorite pictures we look a little alienish once I did red eye removal and our eyes are pitch black.. besides that I love them all!
Paul and Katy Ellis
Yay.. a family picture. These don't happen that often.
Three generations. Dave, his dad Larry, and little Jaxson.
Jaxson and Aunt MiMi
Her knight and shining armor....
Our chef Jesse looks worn out and full.
Dan and Anne, our hosts for the evening.
Nadiah showing off her pretty bow.
Me and Jax, while he is working on his 20th cookie I think!
Kenny and Sierrah
Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob. Aunt Sue was enjoying not being the host this evening, even though she is an amazing hostest.
I have a feeling the tooth fairy knows Nadiah's address..
Anne's sister Karissa
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Here Comes Santa Claus
We practiced with Jaxson on Thursday to say Ho Ho Ho after asked What does Santa say? He got the hang of it but quickly forgot how by Saturday when he met Santa first hand. Carol's friend Miriam has Santa come over each year with toys for the kids and pictures. This year Jaxson was lucky enough to be invited. He had no idea what was in store for him but he soon learned the big guy in red brings presents. 
We arrived about a half an hour before Santa and just as Jaxson began to get to know his surroundings a big HO HO HO came bounding in the door with his pretty elf right behind. He came in ringing his bell with big rosy cheeks and a bag over his shoulders filled with gifts. Jaxson didn't cry but he did climb closer to me as Santa came and called him by his name and offered Jax to ring his bell. He stared wide eyes but didn't cry.. that came later.
He made his way to the living room and talked to each kid to find out if they had been naughty or nice. Jaxson continued to stare. Jaxson was offered the first gift and he opened it and found some wooden toys he can pull behind him. They are puzzles as well he can take apart. He pulled them behind him all night long.
Olivia opened a few of her gifts then Santa came into the living room with the most exciting gift of all. Jaxson's eyes lit up and smiled from ear to ear as he quickly climbed onto his new trike!
Santa pushed him around the living room a few times as Dave and I snapped pictures from all angles. I think Jaxson was starting to like this guy.
It was picture time and Jaxson wasn't as excited about this part. I guess a picture is better than no picture at all. I think my cute Santa picture will have to wait until next year when he can't wait to see Santa to give him his wish list.
We arrived about a half an hour before Santa and just as Jaxson began to get to know his surroundings a big HO HO HO came bounding in the door with his pretty elf right behind. He came in ringing his bell with big rosy cheeks and a bag over his shoulders filled with gifts. Jaxson didn't cry but he did climb closer to me as Santa came and called him by his name and offered Jax to ring his bell. He stared wide eyes but didn't cry.. that came later.
He made his way to the living room and talked to each kid to find out if they had been naughty or nice. Jaxson continued to stare. Jaxson was offered the first gift and he opened it and found some wooden toys he can pull behind him. They are puzzles as well he can take apart. He pulled them behind him all night long.
Olivia opened a few of her gifts then Santa came into the living room with the most exciting gift of all. Jaxson's eyes lit up and smiled from ear to ear as he quickly climbed onto his new trike!
Santa pushed him around the living room a few times as Dave and I snapped pictures from all angles. I think Jaxson was starting to like this guy.
It was picture time and Jaxson wasn't as excited about this part. I guess a picture is better than no picture at all. I think my cute Santa picture will have to wait until next year when he can't wait to see Santa to give him his wish list.
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