As you can tell from that title, our family sure has grown! With 2 new sets of in-laws, Christmas planning was a little crazy! What a blessed and happy Christmas Day our family had, though! We broke my family's long standing tradition of all the Coe kids (Including G and Josh!) spending the night in the same room, in the same bed. (Which only lasted about 1 hour last year! haha) Josh, G and I stayed at our house, Sally and Nathan were at the McBrides and Rachel and Kenny were at the Grosharts. It was a very different Christmas, and a little bitter-sweet for me. (I love traditions!) But, in the passing of a favorite family tradition, Josh and I are getting to establish our own family traditions, which is exciting and sweet. I loved getting to set up all the stuff for G in our den the night before. It was a joyous morning. I love my little family!
We started off the day at our house with Gardner's present from Santa, a "ball-ball" goal! He was beside himself. It was so much fun to see him shoot and laugh and shoot and laugh. Over and over and over.....
He also received a hamburger that he can cut with a knife. It is a lot of fun to sit with him while he cuts all the pieces apart. He is getting very good at it! He also received a broom and dustpan which are a big hit. (And the broom isn't long enough to knock stuff off the counters!)
Josh got me these two awesome candles from Anthropologie. I am so excited about their smells, Avocado-Mint and Lemon-Tarragon. Yum.
After spending some time at home, we moved over to the Coe's for brunch. Gardner had a pile of presents waiting on him and loved them all, especially the little 4 wheeler my parents gave him. Hilarious. That's Alex the "learn to dress yourself" monkey. He came all the way from Henry Bear's Park on Pop's business trip to Boston.
Gardner really enjoys playing with my parents' little wooden nativity. He was being rough with the nativity at our house, so we had a little lesson on how to treat baby Jesus. Now every time G sees a nativity he puts his arms together and "rocks the baby Jesus" instead of throwing him at the closest person or animal he can target.
The stockings are always fun. Mom and dad always find the funniest stuff to put in there. This year the items of interest were pens with Santa or a snowman on the end that punch at the air when you press the levers on the back. This was funny by itself, but additionally, their eyes lit up red when they punched, pretty creepy! haha
Then Gardner opened the rest of the presents over a couple of hours! It was crazy. He was on sensory overload and enjoyed every minute of it.
This is something I see multiple times a day. When I say multiple times, I mean probably 74,756,374 times a day....along with a long Mooooommmmmieeeee! or a Mommy, mommy, mommy, mommy in a very staccato pattern. At least I know he loves me, no matter how much I wish he would just snuggle in my lap and give me a kiss! (no chance, with his "busy schedule" of playing!)
Max was enjoying his Christmas with some "Crunchy Temptations" fed to him by the handful by his little nephew, G.
G followed in the steps of the great Bambino by calling the direction his tee ball would go! He had so much fun putting things on the tee.
Allen got Carhart pants, a Carhart shirt and cowboy boots! Nice...
Mail's here....
Enjoying a gingerbread man from Aunt Cathy.
After enjoying presents at Snookie and Pop's house we went home for a much needed night's sleep and awoke the next morning to go see Nana and Paw-Paw and Aunt Rachel and Uncle Kenny!
Gardner had a really fun time and enjoyed all of his new toys!
Rachel and Kenny were enjoying their first Christmas together and we did a little photo-shoot to document it!
Sweet Rachel made us this book. It covers G's life from ultrasound to 18 months! What a treasure! I have loved looking at it over and over!
G got a set of MegaBlocks for Nana's house and a set for home! He builds a little bit, but sure loves dumping out the bag! he also got lots of fun books and a sorting cube!
Creeper, haha
Kenny was really excited about opening his "Crimma" (R and K's word they use for Christmas) presents.
The Hughes' Christmas Tree!
Josh got a new beer brewing ingredient kit, so fun. He loves making his own beer.
G helped Aunt Rachel open her big gift, her wedding flowers preserved with a couple of mementos from their wedding day. Very sweet.
This year it was the Hughes' turn for a painting! I painted the St. Charles street trolley. I was happy with how it turned out. I think they liked it. :)
Gardner eating ham, a popular meal these days.
We enjoyed having Aunt Rachel and Uncle Kenny home for so long! We got to do lots of fun things and enjoyed spending time together. :) Can't wait for another visit.
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