Christmas!

For me, it was a whole year of anticipation. Christmas is my favorite time of year and I was really looking forward to celebrating the season with a child. Matthew has made the holidays this year extra special. We are taking the holidays in phases. Christmas eve was spent with my family. We had a small get together to exchange gifts before heading out to the farm for a bigger family get together.

Are all these presents for me?


Whoa - its so big!!


Nathan says oh this is soft!


Awesome - Daddy can take a whole pot of coffee to work now.


Hurry up, get it out of the box


There's gotta be more in here....


Matthew and Mommy


Amy gets domestic



Weeeee - this is fun!


Daddy and Matthew try to fix the truck

With Matthew, there were 4 kids under the age of 5 - it was so much fun to see them get so excited. In addition to family, there was carol singing, lots of food and of course presents. Matthew just loved the tractor set from his great-granddaddy. We arrived at the farm early enough that he got to see a real one as people came back from the hayride.

Matthew and Great-granddaddy

Kim and Matthew while singing Christmas carols

Marvin and Colin lead the gang in a jovial round of "Deck the Halls" ala "A Christmas Story" Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra!

My tractor

Matthew and mommy with his godparents

Christmas morning was fairly mellow. Matthew enjoyed gifts from Santa. We went to church and came hope to open stocking and gifts from mom and dad. Here are a few pictures from the day. We were lucky enough that after a few days of excitement that he actually got to take a much needed afternoon nap. We're taking the day to recoup and will spend a few days continuing the holiday celebrations with Marvin's family.

Pre-Christmas festivities

First - pre-Christmas activities continue. Last week we finally made it to the mall to see Santa. Though Matthew did ok with other Santas, the one at Northpark was not pretty. Even though Matthew talked to all the kids and parents in line, he did not like Santa at all.


Getting ready to see Santa


It isn't the best picture, but Matthew did not like Santa at all!

Thankfully all our Christmas shopping was finished, so we just enjoyed the day at the mall.

Cute hat huh...

Matthew's favorite part was checking out the ducks and turtles. He was so excited!






A Santa that Matthew can tolerate!

The day itself just wore out Matthew and Daddy. What a fun way to get ready for Christmas.

It's the holidays and that means lights!

No Christmas season is complete without a trip (or two) out to see Christmas lights. This year we gather a group of friends and headed over to Deerfield to see the famous "Deerfield house" featured on Good Morning America. We snuck in the back way so we could avoid the traffic jam and take our time checking out all the neighborhood (well at least a couple of its streets) had to offer.

Matthew was so into the lights that it too him an hour to wind down enough to go to sleep. It was too cute.

In addition to the lights, Matthew enjoyed breakfast with Santa at his school. Ok - he didn't enjoy Breakfast as much as mommy and daddy did, but he did get to go on his first "train" ride.

The holidays are upon us!

What an exciting time. Christmas has got to be my favorite time of year. It isn't about the presents or the tree, its about the spirit. The charge in the air of children waiting for Santa to come down the chimney.

I enjoy the season with all my senses - the lights, the music, the soft blankets we get to snuggle under as the winter chill sets in and the smell and taste of all the holiday treats - be it a simple sugar cookie or elaborate holiday dinner. In the words of Rachel Ray - Yum-O!!

I took off a week at Thanksgiving to get a break from work and to try to catch up on a few things. We had a nice simple Thanksgiving, opening our door to family and friends. For the first time in a long time, we didn't hit any Black Friday sales - because we really didn't need anything. Though we did venture out Friday afternoon to get a tree and a car seat for Matthew. (I am sad that we have to put up the infant carrier. It's hard to believe just a few months ago when we brought him home he was so tiny in the big car seat...)

From 11_November 2008

We spent Saturday and Sunday pulling out decorations and getting our house ready for Christmas. While Matthew helped - he hasn't really noticed the change in decor. He can totally ignore the fact that there is a 7 and a half foot tree in his play room. It's quite amusing.

We hope everyone had a great Thankgiving and is enjoying the holiday season.