We made it! I finally caught us up through Christmas. January was a fairly quiet month, so it really should only take a post or two to fill you in and show you some new pics of the boy. For now, let's talk about Christmas. Sorry there are so many pictures, but we had a wonderful Washington visit and I feel like I need to share lots, so I made a few collages to show you more than I wanted to post individually.
We made it to Tacoma on Christmas Eve at about 8 p.m.—just in time for church. We made a quick change, Uncle Gary came over to hang out with Jonathan, and we headed out. We went to my home church, the church we got married in, and had a wonderful service filled with Christmas carols, candlelight, and a great message. Then we headed back to Gamma and Gampa's in time for Jonathan to open the first gift of Christmas.
Much to his enjoyment, Gamma and Gampa gave him the cutest book called, "Tickle Monster." It comes with Tickle Monster gloves. He loved hearing Daddy read the book while Gampa became the Tickle Monster. I think it was one of his favorite gifts . . . he still loves us to read it and tickle him from head to toe.
After putting Christmas cookies and milk out for "Joseph," (another story I need to fill you in on), a very tired Jonathan went to bed—although he had a hard time falling asleep with the anticipation of more presents in the morning. When he awoke, he went downstairs to see if "Joseph" had left anything for him. He was pretty happy with what he saw.
As is tradition, we had a yummy Christmas breakfast before opening any presents. Jonathan enjoyed the cinnamon rolls, quiche, and lots of fruit.
He then headed straight in to open his stocking and to give everyone their handmade cards. He was pretty pleasantly surprised with tons of "Super Why" toys and cups and even a "Super Why" mask made by Gamma. He had lots of fun with "Alpha Pig," and entertained us with Alpha Pig's ABC song.
He also received a Toy Story Christmas ornament and chocolate of course. His Gamma knows that he loves chocolate.
Mister had so much fun opening his gifts from "Joseph" (and all of us). We all had fun. In fact, I do believe Uncle Gary hit a home run with Gamma as he reduced her to tears with his gift . . . a Mac Mini for her to work on and keep track of all of her amazing pictures she's taken through the years. (Don't you love Jonathan's "Super Why" mask? He sleeps with his Super Why doll every night now.)
Uncle Gary didn't just hit a home run with Gamma. He also hit one with Jonathan. His two favorite gifts of the day came from Uncle Gary . . . a Sheriff Woody doll (whom he hardly every parts with), and his very first sleeping bag from L.L. Bean. He's officially ready for lots of camping ahead. He loves sleeping in it (even in his own bed).
The next day we headed to Grandma's house for more fun. It was so fun to see Jonathan check out some of her traditional Christmas decorations like this flocked church from when Daddy was little.
After lots of good conversation, yummy Swedish meatballs, and a viewing of Toy Story 3, Jonathan was pretty wiped out.
Little did he know that when we headed back to Gamma and Gampa's, he got to open one last gift . . . Dancing Mickey! Oh my, was he excited. Mickey is his best friend, after all. He was thrilled and danced the night away.
I think Gampa was pretty happy too (probably because he got to send Mickey home with Mommy and Daddy to listen to night and day).
The next morning, we headed over to Great Grandma Norma's for our traditional Swedish Pancakes breakfast. They're delicious! The most fun part is to see who can eat the most. Thankfully, this year Great Grandma stopped making them after about five or six each (!!!), so we didn't go home too stuffed.
It's always fun to have four generations together. We grab a picture of them together every change we get. It's not always easy to get a toddler to cooperate, but at least he had fun this time!
Our next stop was Aunt Debbie's. Her house is always beautifully decorated, and she always serves us amazing food. But the best part of being together is the fun we have together.
Jonathan had lots of fun with his Aunt Debbie (or Bebo as I keep trying to have him call her—my name for her when I was little). This time he decided to do something that wasn't exactly nice, but it was funny. He was lightly spitting in her face and laughing like crazy. She was such a good trooper to endure the spray from a toddler's mouth and it paid off . . . lots of big hugs from Jonathan.
One of my favorite things about Northwest winters . . . waking up to this amazing sight.
I still remember days in high school when I would stand at the top of the stairs on the way to class and just look out at this breathtaking view. This is the reason I fell in love with winter. There's nothing quite like the beauty of a snow-capped mountain looming high over the deep blue of the Sound.
We were even treated to a little bit of snow to play in while we were there. Jonathan took every opportunity to get outside and play. He loves snow . . . a boy after his Mommy's heart. I'm convinced we'll have him up on skis next winter!
After the cold snow, there's nothing better than coming in and getting snuggly in his fleece snowman jammies.
We made two more stops before we headed back to Eugene for New Year's. First we stopped at our friend Karen's house to play a bit of piano and for Jonathan to open a sweet present from her.
Then we hit the road and headed home. Along the way we stopped at Gamma's cousin's house and Jonathan spent some time with his favorite extended cousins. He was so funny. He decided to just play ragdoll with the girls and go limp. They dragged him all over the place! They're so good with him. It's neat to see such a special relationship form between them. He definitely loves his cousins!
Then it was back on the road to Eugene for a New Year's Eve celebration with Gamma and Gampa. Daddy, who had returned for work a few days earlier, had a special treat waiting for us . . . appetizers, sweet treats, and champagne all ready to go for the big celebration. It was so nice to be greeted with, and we all had fun watching the ball drop and welcoming 2011 with open arms. What a great way to end a fun week in Washington with family . . . to ring in the New Year with hope for a great year ahead. We hope you had just as good of a Christmas celebration as we did. What a joyful season!
(p.s. I may just do one more post to explain the whole "Joseph" story, so check back later for a fun story!)
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