Christmas Memories 2009 - Part 3

Brendan's "big gift" from Santa...a DRUMSET! It is perfect for him and he loves it so much. Grant and JJ in their matching Christmas jammies are enjoying B's concert.

Brendan and his 10 month old cousin, A.J., opening gifts together.

Building the snowman!

Brendan and Audriana putting on a piano concert for us...aren't they so cute?!

B and A.J. playing "choo-choos" together.

Christmas Memories 2009 - Part 2

Sunday we had my family over to celebrate Christmas. My mom and dad, sister Casey, her husband Brian and kids Layney (2 years) and Liam (6 months), brother B.J., Uncle Jeff (my dad's brother) and Grandma Thon (my mom's mom). It was fantastic to have everyone over and we had a great time watching Brendan and Layney play the day away. We had a great lunch of turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, stuffing, green beans, cranberry sauce, buns and pumpkin pie for dessert. After lunch we opened presents and then played with said presents. Here are a few pictures from our wonderful day!

Brendan and Layney playing "choo-choo" on the rider toys. My sister and mom each gave one to Brendan for his birthday and I'm so glad we have 2. I know there would have been much fighting over who would ride if we only had 1!

After opening presents the kids started right in on playing with their toys. Uncle Brian, Auntie Casey, Layney and Liam gave B the Handy Manny toolbox and it was a huge hit! Here is Great-Grandma Thon playing with B.

After lunch and opening presents the boys got right down to playing Halo on the X-box. Oh boys!

Brendan got this great art center from "Santa" aka Gi-gi (my mom) and Grandpa Bill. Layney and B had a fun time using it with their new art supplies!

And what Christmas would be complete without the kids playing with the box the toys came in?!? They turned this one into a kind of slide!

Christmas Memories 2009 - Part 1

I absolutely LOVE this time of year. The new fallen snow, the Christmas tunes, the Christmas movies, the sparkling lights on the Christmas tree...I just love it! Last night, Grant got out of work early so that we could go down to Minneapolis and see the Macy's (Dayton's) 8th Floor Christmas display. It turned out that they did the same one as last year, but what can ya do!?!?! Brendan LOVED it. After we went through the display, we got to see Santa...pictures are at the end of that encounter. I'm sure I'll have some more photos to share with you of our 2009 Holiday season, but for now, Enjoy!

Holding daddy's hand while starting the "tour".

Watching the animals trim the Christmas tree...he loved this scene! I had asked him to smile for this picture and this is what he did...so cute!!!

Brendan and mom in front of the singing trees...he would not look at daddy for the picture, there was just too much to look at!

Santa picture 2008...one happy little man. He and I have been talking about Santa, looked at this picture from last year, practiced "what Santa says" "Ho Ho Ho" (Brendan only says "Ho Ho"...), waited really well in line for Santa, charged into the room and FROZE. I slowly walked him up to Santa, showed him the jingle bells on Santa's outfit, had him give him a "five", then set him on his lap....

Needless to say he was not happy to sit on Santa's lap at all! Oh well, you gotta have the hysterical crying kid on Santa's lap Christmas picture, dontcha?!?!