Christmas has been a prolonged celebration. We still don't really have any family traditions of our own (something I'm working on) but I think it's been a fun month. We did do an advent calendar with Hershey kisses inside which was a huge hit, and Henri had a fun time wrapping gifts and putting them under the tree. We went to VT this year so opened family presents on the 23rd before we headed up. As a special treat for his parents Hudson rolled over from front to back (he's continued to do it sporadically). Got back last night and are getting reorganized and looking forward to a new year, trying to imagine how we want to order our days. Anyway, here's what was caught on camera:
 |
| Cookie decorating party with some of Henri's friends. Sugar overload!!! |
 |
| Everyone else was into the eating portion. Hen would have been happy to decorate for hours |
 |
| A few snacks to cut the sweet |
 |
| Our family Christmas |
 |
| Hudson with his first Christmas present |
 |
| His own rat! It's been a huge hit. Perfect size for holding and sucking on its nose |
 |
| Henri got a cash register. Lots of fun |
 |
| Gram S got her a suitcase. She'll suddenly freeze with it, and when you ask what she's doing she'll tell you she's waiting for the bus. :) |
 |
| A Christmas elf |
 |
| Sleepy boy |
 |
| The Charlie Brown tree |
 |
| Christmas morning coffee cakes |
 |
| Henri "hanging" her stocking (we drape them over the back of the couch) |
 |
| She'd been up for a few hours before we all got up to open stockings and was getting tired |
 |
| This was Anna's birthday gift but I made liberal use of it. |
 |
| So bummed this rotated, but he was chipper and loving everything going on |
 |
| Haha, the sun was out |
 |
| Handsome little man |
 |
| Steve's all equipped for winter biking now |
 |
| We gave Henri a doctors kit. Like all kids, her favorite thing to do now is giving us shots |
 |
| Sigh. We're never going to all look decent in a picture |
 |
| Steve got a helicopter. I doubt stealth drones in Iraq have inspired such terror as this thing while Steve was learning to fly it |
 |
| An addictive game. I still don't know the strategy behind it and my dismal scores reflect that. |
 |
| Tons of new toys and the things they played with the most were 30 year old duplos. |
 |
| "Aunt" Chelsea knows the way to a baby's heart |
 |
| Practicing her duck face |
 |
| Riding her horse across the prairie |
 |
| Haha, he enjoyed it at least |
 |
| My angelic husband |
 |
| Snow castles |
 |
| Snow people |
 |
| Exploring the Christmas trees |
 |
| Henri spent a good deal of time on the naughty step. She got some company |
 |
| Dustin was so sweet with Hudson. He would lay down next to him when he was on the floor and we realized this was how he "hugged" him. Truly the sweetest (and most adorable) little guy there is. I am in no way biased. That Dustin is my brother's son and carries on the family name does not influence my view. |
 |
| Hudson in turn was fascinated by everything Dusty did |
 |
| Mug Mom received. This doesn't do it justice as the size was truly impressive. Like, bowl of soup. Probably 4 servings of coffee size. I'm a little jealous |
 |
| Grateful that Hudson seems to be following his sister's love for books |
 |
| Guess who was soooo cooperative for the cousin photo? I hope Dustin didn't pick up any bad behaviors from her |
 |
| Mom thinks Hudson might be teething. He has to have something permanently in his mouth to chew on these days |
 |
| 4 months old! |
 |
| We had the bonfire early so everyone could enjoy. Hen loved it, Hudson loved to look at it |
 |
| Dustin's first VT bonfire |
 |
| Papa did a great job as always |
Merry Christmas! So looking forward to what this next year has for our family :)
