Christmas Celebrations

We were very blessed this Christmas season and were able to spend time with all of our family. We were able to do several fun things as a family and Caleb really enjoyed himself.

We took advantage of our zoo membership and went to the Festival of Lights, not once but twice! Blake and I took Caleb during the week for the first time. He loved the seeing the animals up close since they were inside. He could have stayed in the elephant house all evening! He also decided that the snakes were a must. We returned on a Saturday with my parents and brother, Jared. It was rainy, but we managed to see everything we wanted. We then hung out and enjoyed some LaRosa's pizza.

Our first stop for celebrating Christmas was a Christmas party at my friend Leighann's parents' house. It was great to see her, but not fun for Caleb so we could not stay too long. We then went to celebrate with Dave and RuthAnne. Caleb received some big trucks that he loved despite being quite frustrated that he could not ride on them! Unfortunately, Caleb was very grumpy from not being able to take his nap and we left for home earlier than we wanted to.

Wednesday the 23rd, we met Megan, Brian and Julia at Bass Pro to see Santa and the Christmas displays. It is actually a really nice place to do the whole Santa thing because of kid friendly things they have. There was a train display, tables with coloring supplies and of course the big fishtank. Caleb preferred sitting on the 4-wheelers. He wasn't too thrilled with sitting on Santa's lap, but was willing to stand next to him. We went back home and made cookies with my brother Jared and Stephanie stopped by so she helped decorate them.

I am not sure why, but Caleb woke up at 5:30 am on Christmas Eve morning. I couldn't get him to go back to sleep so we got up and finished decorating cookies. his became his breakfast! I took a nap once Blake woke up. Then we went to my Grandpa's house for dinner. Caleb and Abby played and were both too concerned about the presents under the tree to eat any dinner. I think they were both too full from eating from the candy and nut dish! We brought the gifts that we bought with our money from my Grandpa. Caleb got a shopping cart, a Wonderpets toy, some playfood and 2 books. He was very entertaining to watch and loved all his gifts. It was hard to share with Abby, but that is still a new concept for him. :)
Christmas Day we woke up around Caleb's normal time of 8am. I think we were more excited to watch him open his gifts than he was. We did stockings and then moved on to presents. Caleb loved pulling the sheet off of his new play kitchen. He opened and closed the refrigerator and the cabinets right away. His new Yo Gabba Gabba toy was also a hit. (We almost didn't buy it because of how obnoxious the show is. The things we do for our kids!) I surprised Blake with a Wii since I had no other real ideas for him this year. I succeeded and was glad I made the last minute decision to get one. Of course, I want the Wii Fit to go along with it. :)
After letting Caleb play and eating breakfast, we go ready to head up to Piqua. Caleb was really good with all the kids and had fun playing with Cael and Evan's big boy toys. They are 4 and have all kinds of exciting things to get into! Caleb was spoiled again. He got 2 outfits, 2 puzzles, and placemats from Mimi and Greg. Mawmaw and Papa got him a huge Tonka truck that made his eyes grow big with excitement. Blake and I got some money to buy more Wii accesories with!
I headed to work later that evening. Blake set up the Wii of course!'
Sunday we were bad and slept in, skipping church. Caleb and I went up to my parents early in the afternoon while Blake went to the Bengals game. Blake came up after the game and we exchanged gifts with my parents before having our annual sibling gift exchange/game night. Caleb was showered with more gifts by my parents. A tricycle, clothes, a tractor book, a stuffed elephant and a new ornament. We got a Garmin as a total surprise. My mom also made me a scarf and an apron. Yeah for homemade gifts!
We did our sibling exchange and then played a new game. It was pretty hilarious considering we invited my mom to play and there was some vulgar humor. Thankfully, my mom is a good sport and went along with it. I will add that Blake and Brett are the ones with their minds in gutters! Imagine that.

We ended up staying the night since we played games so late. Caleb was already sleeping in my parent's nursery so it worked out for the best. Blake and I crashed on the couch like old times.