Christmas 2008

What a wonderful Christmas we had this year, especially with AJ being so involved and into everything. We spent lots of time with family and friends, and the rest simply relaxing amd cleaning-up. Here is the best family photo we got this year. It pretty much sums up AJ's view on any picture taken where he has to be held (no thanks). We hope everyone enjoyed their holiday and wish you all lots of love and happiness in the new year!!!! Our Christmas Extravaganza began Christmas Eve. AJ and I iced the cookies we made (well, he ate the icing), and then decorated them with sprinkles. I wish I had a picture to show you the mess he made when he dumped the entire container of the little ball sprinkles all over the table and floor. AJ was quite amazed by it and voiced his excited opinions about the incident (something like, "whoa, look at that, oh my goodness, what a mess, I didn't do it, etc.). Santa arrived during AJ's nap and he was THRILLED to discover what Santa had left! AJ was very good about opening all of his presents this year (and a few extras).

Cars, cars and more cars. Pretty much the theme for this year's Christmas. He loves the movie Cars too!

AJ on his motorized quad. We let him run it around the house a few times and then we had to be big Scrouges and take it down to the basement before any major damage occured to the house.

AJ, Daddy and Nuge after all the gifts had been opened. We had a wonderful, relaxing evening just the three of us and Nuge. Christmas is SO much more fun with a little one around!

We spent Christmas day with the Glandon's and McLaughlin's. Here's AJ checking out the load that Santa brought to Grandma and Grandpa's.

Making a mess with Grandma Bonnie with the Moon Sand.

This was the big hit - the frog tent. It stays at Grandma's, but AJ LOVES it! He just had to have his train tracks in it that Uncle Eric bought for him.

Aunt Beth entertaining AJ before the Chinese gift exchange. He kept running under her legs and of course she was being very dramatic and funny about it! We all loved watching and hearing AJ giggle.

Brian and Mike - the big losers in the Chinese gift exchange this year.

The next three days were spent with the Sauer's and both sides of Brian's family. Here's AJ and Heidi looking for trouble (they kept taking ornaments off of this little tree), but trying to appear innocent.

Ryan celebrating his 1st Christmas the best he knows how - with a bow!

AJ and Heidi testing out their new Aquadoodle mats. Very cool and easy for AJ to write on.

Heidi examining AJ with the new Sesamee Street Dr. kit they both got.

Wrestling time with Daddy/Uncle Brian.

The Three Muskateers - AJ, Kaylee and Heidi.

SUPER - AJ!!!!

Cape and all!

AJ received several of the GeoTrax sets for Christmas, so here he is enjoying them with Daddy, his Grandpa's and Uncle Eric.

Pre-Christmas Fun/AJ Being Silly

AJ is VERY excited about all the things that come with Christmas (except for Santa as you'll see below). He followed Brian around the tree the whole time he was putting on the lights. AJ watched and learned how to put the ornaments on, and then gave it his best shot by throwing them into the tree. Maybe next year!

Always a helper! I love Nuge's face in the background.

Medflight (Grandma Rose's employer) always hosts a big, family Christmas party. This was the first year we attended (AJ was in the hospital last year), and I'm sure it won't be the last. AJ had a blast! Here he is going down the big slide by himself.

Who says Santa needs a sleigh? The helicopter actaully circled around a couple of times as Santa waved out the window before dropping him off. AJ was giving him the hairy eyeball from the start as he walked by us.

Oh yes, the screaming child. AJ didn't want to be within a 10-foot radius of the man. But hey, he still got his gift.

Back to having fun in the bounce house.

More fun with the balloon dog.

So this year, we did quite a bit of Christmas shopping online and had quite the parade of packages on our porch for a couple of weeks. AJ found all the boxes, peanuts and paper quite entertaining.

Like I said, AJ is very into all things Christmas. The nativity gets rearranged several times a day.

AJ made this tree in Sunday school. At home, he then picked off all of the foam stickers and stuck them to the floor. Here he is peeling the stickers back off the floor and putting them back onto the tree.

Today I braved the mess and made cut-out cookies with AJ. He was very good about pressing down on the cookie cutters. While the first batch was cooking, AJ then pretended to make his own by rolling the rolling pin on the cutting board and then pressing the cookies cutters on it. He had so much fun! Needless to say, we had flour everywhere!

AJ resting his head on his hand like mommy does when she's tired.

New trick - making fishy lips.

So the laundry basket has always been fun to play in, but I've never seen AJ quite like this before in it. Do you suppose this was how it was in the womb?

AJ says, "Mom it's my turn to take the pictures now!" I actually think I heard him say "my turn" today.

AJ's pure excitement!

Thanksgiving 2008

We truly have so much to be thankful for this year (I'm just too tired to go into detail). Thanks Aunt Beth for having us - We had a GREAT time. LOVE TO ALL!

The fesitivites began with a cooking lesson for how to make Grandma Ruby's stuffing.

The main event - Thanksgiving Dinner!

So after dinner and dessert, and after the games had begun, AJ decided to help himself to a little more pumpkin pie (he's a fool for it). Too bad we don't have a picture of him caught in the act, but this is what was left.

Even Aunt Beth had something for AJ to push around - who cares if it's pink?!

But it was even more fun to be pushed in it! WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Okay so this was taken before Thanksgiving, but I just couldn't resist my two guys all cozied up on the couch together. Too sweet!

Early Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving may still be four days away, but we have already celebrated twice!

The top picture shows the second generation at the Engle (Brian's mom's side) Thanksgiving, and the bottom picture shows the third generation (you know - all the second cousins)! This isn't even close to showing all of them!

My sister and niece came to visit this week from D.C., so we also celebrated with them. Here's AJ learning a new trick from Grandma.

Angie and Megan. We miss you!

No visit would be complete without some fun in the tub!

Mom and Dad treated us to a day at Fort Rapids as an early Christmas present. Here's AJ with Daddy in the big fort/water play area. AJ went down the kiddy tube slide all by himself!

This was a big hit the whole day. I cannot tell you how many times these two went down this slide. WHAT GREAT FUN! Thanks Mom and Dad/Grandma and Grandpa!

The next day, we tailgated at Uncle Mark's for the OSU/Michigan game. The tables were occupied with games, so Megan and AJ had a picnic on the kitchen floor for dinner.

The "Sorry" crew - Ruth, Tommy, Emma's friend, Emma and Connie.

The Euchre crew - Bonnie, Barbie, Beth and Joe. There was also a Wii crew down in the basement!

AJ on the phone the day Aunt Angie and Cousin Megan left.

AJ's 1st phone call - "Hey Grandma, let's go back to the waterpark!"

AJ's 2nd phone call - "Aunt Angie and Megan, I hope you got home safe. I miss you!"