Merry Christmas 2011!

Merry Christmas Everyone!This was a very exciting time for us as Daryl experienced his first Christmas! We spent Christmas Eve at my sister, Amy's, house, and Christmas Day at Matt's parents' house. There was tons of good food, presents, family and celebrating the birth of Jesus!

Matt & our nephew, Trevor


Trevor & Sara

We got our niece, Preslee, a potty baby alive doll.

The day before our get-together, Trevor & I made some fun shaker toys using marbles, glitter, water, food coloring, and putting them in water bottles. He had a blast, and Kinsey and Daryl received these as gifts!

We bought Trevor a Finn McMissile from Cars 2. We also got him a cool pocket watch that flips open. He had fun pretending to be a train conductor and telling everyone what time it was.

Kinsey got a train ball popper from us.

On Cookie Day, my mom noticed I had holes in my socks, so of course I got socks for Christmas. Thanks mom! Every year she also gets us the collectable annual Swarovski snowflake ornament.

Kinsey had fun with her present from Aunt Kacie & Uncle Eric.

One of Daryl's favorite presents was Elmo from Aunt Kacie & Uncle Eric. He loves to dance as Elmo sings songs!

Uncle Eric cuddling with Daryl

Clapping and dancing with Grandma Cindy

Cousin Kinsey & Daryl - they almost look like twins!

Santa brought Sara shelves for the basement, and Daryl got a push toy and a sled (if there's ever going to be snow, he could actually use it!)

Daryl found a light-up ball in his stocking made by Great Grandma Bernice!

Daryl also got some books; a small, plush Elmo doll; and car that is remote controlled by a rattle!

The car also moves by rolling the ball on the top. Daryl loved this toy!

Our family at Nana & Gumpy's

When do we get to open all of these!?

The girls - Aubrey, Teagan & Kaitlin

Kaitlin loves to play Ring-around-the-rosie!

Teagan was happy we got her a Bop-It and not a rooster.

I don't know what Matt plans on doing with that waffle maker, but it looks scarey!

Let the Christmas Chaos begin! (Ryan, Kaitlin, Gavin, Melanie & Tyler)

The best present of the day (besides the obvious birth of Jesus) was our present to Gumpy to go sky diving! He's been talking about doing it for a while now, so I convinced everyone to chip in and see if he was just all talk. It's at the same place where both Ryan and I(Sara) went sky diving. He will be going tandem, hopefully this summer. What a surprise for Gumpy! "I can check that off my bucket list!"

Angela's Martha Stewart gene came out when she wrapped presents this year!

Daryl got a Dino Ball Popper from Nana & Gumpy

"I'm so excited to play with all these new toys!"

Daryl & Daddy

Of course the kids are always just as happy playing in the boxes!

Standing up in his festive PJ's!

While we were busy opening presents, Daryl decided to try standing up for the first time - all by himself!!! Luckily, since it was Christmas, I had my camera ready. He totally shocked us! Since this moment, he has been standing up non-stop on everything he can. He has even become more daring and has tried to stand without holding on!

Bubba

Here are just a few cute pics of our little "Bubba".

For some odd reason, Daryl likes to suck on the kitchen floor. He must like how it is cold & smooth. Even though I yell "No!" he doesn't care, smiles, and continues to do it.
He scoots around everywhere on his belly, and he's getting very fast these days! He often gets into trouble. But he's so cute - how can you get mad at that face?

Cookie Day 2011

Every year my mom, sisters and I get together at my house to make Christmas cookies. We each make 2-3 kinds on our own, and then we make 3-4 kinds on cookie day. This usually equals about 100 cookies total, plus my mom's delicious carmels, peanut brittle, and 3 kinds of fudge. The cookies are then laid out on tables all throughout my house. It's definitely a lot of work, but it's so much fun! I love putting all the cookies in tins and passing them out to friends, neighbors, and co-workers to spread the Christmas cheer!

Cousins Reunion

Matt's dad had a reunion with his cousins. Butch and Matt's aunt, Sandi, did a fabulous job organizing it. It took place in the party room in Butch's apartment building downtown. Somehow, I didn't get pictures of the actual cousins.

The children of the cousins
The spouses of the cousins & cousins' children


The grandchildren of the cousins

Matt's Aunt Sandi holding Daryl - he was having a little stranger anxiety attack.

The view from the party room was magnificent! You can see Westminster, the church where I grew up!

Matt's work building (one of them) is the tall beige building on the left. It looked especially neat at night when the LED lights were on display.

Daryl & Daddy - we could have stayed to watch the Holidazzle Parade, but Daryl was getting tired. As we walked out to our car, all of the parade floats quickly drove by us on their way to the start of the parade, so we got our own preview! I think next year we'll try to go see it for real.

Young Couples Christmas Party

Our Young Couples group from church got together at Clay & Carrie's house for our Christmas party - and man is it getting crowded with babies & kids!

Daryl & his friend, Sam, racing. Sam is 2 months older than Daryl.
Daryl gave up - "He's way faster; I quit."

Samantha petting Daryl's head - she was fascinated with the other babies.

Daryl loved riding this toy - I think we need to get one for Christmas!

The Young Couples women (and Sam)

The Young Couples men

The kiddos - Daryl was attacking the boy in the orange coat because he wanted his penguin hat, and he made the boy cry. They all had a lot of fun playing together!

Trevor's Christmas Pageant

Our nephew, Trevor, was in a Christmas pageant at his church and we were able to see him perform!

All of the kids singing (Trevor is behind the girl in the front, left)
The choir director told the whole church a cute story about Trevor - during rehearsal, Trevor said, "When are we going to be done with all this singing stuff, because I'm missing out on guy-time with my Daddy?"


Trevor loved the songs that had hand movements!

He even surprised his mom with a song that he sang with just 2 other kids!

Then we celebrated Matt's birthday!