Christmas Eve Part 2

For the second part of our Christmas Eve, we enjoyed a supper of Oyster Stew and Chili (a Christmas Eve tradition on my side of the family) and then opened our gifts. We decided to call this the Christmas of Many Trains and Train Tracks! Grandpa even got in on the action, helping Nathan set up his really cool new train track pieces. We were all pretty tired by the time we headed home (even though it was still before 9). But before we could go to bed, we had to leave cookies and milk for Santa.

Christmas Eve Part 1

We started out Christmas evening with a short trip to Brad's grandparents' (Jay's parents') house. We rarely are able to make it to their celebration because of getting together with my side of the family, but this year it worked out for us to stop over for a little bit. So we did. :) I apologize for Jay's Bears hat in the first picture. It's kind of like pouring salt into an open wound.

This kid really likes to stick his tongue out!

Sam has really been sticking his tongue out lately -- especially when he smiles. It's so funny and cute (but I suppose I'm a little partial). Here's some of the better pictures of late.

More from Nathan's Birthday

The picture of Nathan smiling and Bekah laughing is right after Nathan had thrown his present at Aunt Tracy (see other post). Nathan warmed up and was a little more like himself after a tickling session with Grandpa. He kept saying "Aaa Duh" (all done), but didn't really mean it!

Nathan Turns 2!

Nathan turned 2 on December 8th and we had his party at my parents' house on Sunday the 9th. I think you can sum up his party (from his point of view) in one word: overwhelmed. He was completely not himself -- very shy and quiet! :) As you can see from his piece of cake, he hardly touched it and wasn't at all interested in opening his presents (he even threw the first one we gave him at Brad's Aunt Tracy to have her open it!). What kind of two year old is this??? Sam had a good time, though. He was on Grandma Schut's lap and, as I've come to learn the hard way, Grandma + a baby + food = a very full baby.

Sam eats Cheerios!

Is he really old enough for this? I guess he didn't really think so, either! He did okay with them...only gagging a few times. I suppose Cheerios are quite a shock to the senses when all you're used to is milk and baby food that has the consistency of milk!

Lighted Christmas Parade

Emilie and her friend Madelyn were in this year's Downtown Beloit Lighted Christmas Parade with their dance class. They were M&Ms (in case that wasn't obvious). Emilie was really excited and kept asking all day (the day after Thanksgiving) when we would be leaving for the "fair" as she called it. After we had her loaded on the float, she even asked if she could do it again when we were done....she didn't feel the same way by the time the parade was actually done. My mom and I wondered who on earth thought it was a good idea to have a parade in Wisconsin on a cold night in late November (are there any other types of nights in late November in WI?). Despite some frostbit digits, it was still a nice time.

Bekah's 3!

Bekah's third birthday came the day after Thanksgiving this year. That morning Brad took Bekah out for her birthday breakfast at Denny's where she had plenty to eat (including a piece of chocolate cake!) The following Sunday, we had a party for her at our house for the family. We ate a buffet-style lunch and then Bekah got to open her presents (with a little help from her sister!). She really enjoyed her presents and all the attention! The afternoon was capped off with cake and ice cream -- the highlight for Bekah! She's definitely a bundle of energy and it's so fun to have "big girl" conversations with her. She's crossed over the threshold into little girl-hood. :)

We ended the evening with a trip to the tree farm to pick out our Christmas tree. As has been the case the last few years, we picked rather quickly and headed back to our warm home to decorate the tree -- something the girls enjoyed helping with/I enjoyed letting them help with for the first time.

Am I really doing this?

Wow. I'm actually doing this. Thanks to some (very mild) prompting from my sister, I've stumbled into the world of blogging (a word I just learned the meaning of a few short months ago). Hopefully this will be a better way to keep in touch -- as long as I stay up with it (and can figure it out)!