The Aftermath...

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas! Wow...it sure does come and go quickly, doesn't it?!?! We had a fantastic holiday. Bear Cub was so into Christmas this year -- the decorations, the lights, counting down on our chain, cookies, presents, Santa...the list goes on and on! It made it so much fun for us this year to see the magic of Christmas through our son's eyes.

And what a Christmas it was! Bear Cub got EVERYTHING he wished for and more...lots of cars, trucks, airplanes, a sand table, and even a tent to play in! Now the question is...where do we put all of this new stuff?!? He's been having a blast with it all and it is great to have so much new to play with.

So, I'll back track a little in our Christmas story...

We shared a fun couple of days with Mimi leading up to Christmas...going to the park and attending Christmas Eve church services. Bear Cub was a bit squirmy for this, but it was TOO cute as he yelled out "A-MEN!" at the end of each prayer. That made all the squirms worth while! We came home from church and continued our yearly tradition of opening one gift -- always new pajamas for the big night! BC was wound up tighter than a top that night, so he got to bed a bit later. Of course, we had to get cookies and carrots out to leave for Santa, too!

And then...the BIG morning! Santa had definitely stopped by our house, eaten our cookies and had left BC a note, telling him what a good boy he was and reminding him to continue going potty on the toilet, as Santa LOVES boys and girls that do that. ;) BC excitedly came out of his room and dug into his gifts that Santa had left out for him. Compared to last year...what a difference! He knew EXACTLY what was happening this year and was all about tearing into his presents, eating some treats that Santa left him, and playing with all of his new toys. What a fun morning!

We hung around until about 11 and then got loaded up to head to Grandma and Grandpa's house for MORE Christmas excitement! As soon as we walked into their house, BC was at their tree, digging into presents that weren't even his. I'd say he got the hang of that this year...

We spent a great day opening presents with them and BC's aunts and uncles. We munched around on good food all day and had lots of fun playing with more toys and the newest technological wonder in the house...the Wii! This is a new addiction for us all. Oh boy! Ok, not for us all -- just the adults in the families! :)

So, as always, I think this was our best Christmas yet. We are so thankful for our families and of course, all the wonderful gifts that were received. But, like I wrote in an earlier post, I'm just forever grateful for the people that we love, our good health, and all of the blessings we have in our lives. It's not about the stuff, as fun as it all is...it's about family. And thank God for them...

Enjoy our pictures! I have lots to post, so you might get these in waves over the next few days...

Christmas Eve day at the park...

Mama and BC in their new jammies! BC's say, "If Mommy says no, ask Santa!"

Getting everything ready for Santa and his reindeer...

Getting into his Santa stuff...Santa doesn't wrap presents at our house...

Whoa! Look at those cars!

Zoe wanted to help BC open his sand table present!

Oh my! Look at the car transport truck that Aunt S and Uncle T gave Bear Cub! Just so you know...the other side of the car carrier came FILLED with more little cars. BC was in heaven!

Helping Grandpa open a present....BC was great at helping EVERYONE with their gifts!

Studying a new toy very seriously... this is an adorable music box that you wind. Once wound up, a train moves in a circle and "Jingle Bells" plays. He loves it!

Playing with Aunt S Christmas night...meanwhile, you'll see what the rest of the adults were up to in the picture below...

The Wii! Look at the intensity here...