Christmas three times

Mia and Papa came for a visit a few days before Christmas. There was an ice storm the night prior to thier arrival, so Valpo was truly a winter wonderland. It really was quite festive. They brought TONS of presents...a kitchen for Grayson and Landry's 1st Madame Alexander doll.

Then Santa came...and brought TONS of presents. Grayson got a vacuum cleaner, a coloring book, stickers and many other exciting things. Landry got bath toys and a couple of books. Both kids recieved gifts from family all over the country (and Canada). It was a quiet day with just the four of us. Our next door neighbors, The Prestons, were kind to invite us for diner with Nicole's family who was visiting from Vancouver. It was great to be included!

Nana came the day after Christmas and brought...you guessed it...a TON of presents. Grayson got a tricycle and a helmet. Landry got cold hard CASH!!! That went towards the purchase of her big girl carseat that we enjoy every single day. Her travel plans were delayed by weather and by the time she got here it was warm and the ice was melting. We actually enjoyed temperatures in the 60's. Felt like we were celebrating Christmas in Alabama.

We are very blessed to have family who is willing to travel to be with us during the holidays. Their efforts and generosity are certainly appreciated.

Big helper

Although he won't eat them, Grayson was quite helpful in snapping greenbeans for dinner. Later, he helped paint in the living room.

Landry want a cracker?

Landry's first experiment with "finger foods"...Saltine crackers!

Santa...take two

This time we went to the Memorial Opera House in downtown Valpo to see Santa and Mrs. Claus. They were so patient letting the kids warm up. Grayson got another candy cane, but it still didn't help. We eventually stuck him up there and started snapping pictures. He eventually accepted his fate and stopped screaming long enough to get a halfway decent picture.

Santa sang Jingle Bells to Landry and let her shake the bells.

We worked up quite a hunger and went to Gelsosomo's for pizza. It is one of Grayson's favorite places and he almost always does something funny while we're there.

The Hendricksons visit

Friends Pam and Dale came over for dinner. Landry wanted Dale to hold her more than anyone and when he finally did, she was so happy she didn't know what to do with herself. Everyone got a kick out of her excitement!

Going to see Santa

Mommy didn't want to go to the mall to see Santa, so we went to Bass Pro Shops...sounds like a Southerner, doesn't it? They had a Santa's Wonderland complete with snowmen, reindeer, model trains, and Christmas trees. Santa sat in a huge wooden chair in front of his log cabin. Elves were abound. The kids were dressed in thier finest and we were all set for beautiful portraits. One problem...Grayson didn't want anything to do with Santa!! Landry, in true form, warmed right up and grinned sheepishly for the camera. Then we added Grayson, who was more than happy to accept a candy cane from Santa, but was NOT going to sit on his lap for any reason. Not a cute picture, but a great memory nonetheless. We have "Holly Days" coming up this week in Valpo and we'll get to see Santa again...maybe this time with real snow.

Everyone said I looked like a baby doll in my dress that Mia made for me!

Big boy had fun watching the remote controlled cars

It just wouldn't have been a Winter Wonderland without Frosty

Thanksgiving Adventure

We traveled to Dallas for a Thanksgiving family reunion of the Staples (Jerry's mom) family. The journey was over 1,000 miles each direction. We left Valparaiso on Monday and spent the night in Newburgh, IN with Mia and Papa (Bethany's parents). On Tuesday night we traveled to Little Rock, AR and spent the night with Roger, Jenny, and Isabelle (Roger is Jerry's 1st cousin). We all left out Wednesday morning for Dallas where we spent the next 3 nights with Kim, Web, Emmy, and Gordon (Web is also Jerry's 1st cousin). The big Thanksgiving feast was in Waxahachie, TX at Uncle Gordon and Aunt Jeannie's house (Aunt Jeannie is Jerry's aunt). It was great to see everybody again and we hope to do it again someday soon...just not the driving part!Grayson and Landry got thier first bath together...and it was fun! In fact, it was so much fun that we have made it a habit. I think Grayson has the most fun though...he's not stuck in a bath chair and gets to play the most...

The feast was complete with a kiddie table

Mommy took Grayson on a vintage train ride on the Grapevine Polar Express

Just before leaving there was time for a boys only tea party with Grayson, Daddy, and cousin Gordon

FIRST SNOW!!

We had hoped to broken in a little more slowly with an inch or two, but our first real snow in Northwest Indiana dropped close to 9 inches in our backyard on November 17-18. You see, there is this little thing called "Lake Effect Snow" that can drop loads of heavy snow very quickly...very quickly. I'm no meteorologist, but it has something to do with the Great Lakes, wind and precipitation. ;) Mom and Dad went to sleep at around 10:30 and lamented the fact that very little snow had fallen...then we woke up. Wow! Should be an interesting first winter in NWI and don't be surprised to see many more snow pictures...

Grayson wasn't sure what to think...he's not a huge fan of the cold

But as long as Daddy is around, Landry is happy!

Halloween

Mommy and Landry went to a gathering with some new friends. Grayson had a party at daycare where he dressed up as a lion and trick or treated from classroom to classroom. Mommy took both kids to Daddy's office to show off thier cute duds. When we got home, Mommy made a pot of soup and we took it next door to the Preston's who had made sandwiches. Then FINALLY we went trick or treating around the neighborhood.

Friends Pam and Dale gave Grayson his very first trick or treat pail. It was filled with apples, grapes, and animal crackers...all his favorite treats! When we were done trick or treating, we dumped all of his candy in the floor and he helped himself to a mini Reese's cup...eating the wrapper and all.

Grayson was so excited that his feet got tangled up and he fell sending all of his candy into the street. Elmo (Ethan, our 5 year old next door neighbor) was on the spot helping get the candy back into Grayson's pail and holding his hand so it didn't happen again. Ethan is so kind and thoughtful!

Landry was a lil mudbug...cuz Grayson was last year

Thankfully Mia had made a cute frock, so Landry had 2 outfits for the festivites!