Part two-Holidays

Yes, more opening, more cuteness...doesn't get much better than this!

Posing

WOW! A sweater and a shiny box too!!

Generations-from tie to diaper

Cute!

Help Daddy!

Peeps for breakfast...yum Christmas!

Santa 'Tatoe...big hit!

Surrounded

Family PJs...thanks to the neighbor visit for capturing this!

And we open and open and open...(Part One)

Van's Christmas celebrations started back at Thanksgiving so he was all about the gift exchange concept. We started again with a visit from Aunt Christina (aka Santa in training) who overloaded us with love and toys and toys. (Part one photos here)
Then it was off to Alexandria for a big fun family celebration on Christmas Eve and then back home in our Christmas PJs to wake up to more surprises from Santa under our tree...wow what a holiday celebration it has been. We are so blessed with the love of family and friends and one unbelievably amazing little boy who is loving everything about the season!

Our family gift was a new camera to capture all his excitement...now we have lots more great photos to post as a result...stay tuned!

Dressed and ready to see my first mall Santa...loved him!

Christmas with Aunt Christina

Merry Christmas to all!

From our happy family to yours...hope it was magical!

Our talented photographer friend, Andy Pigsley took these wonderful photos for us. Check out his work at www.andypigsleyphotography.com.

The tree, the tree

Our annual Christmas tree outing took on a whole new sense of wonder and fun. And then there was decorating fun. Now every morning when Van sees that the tree is still there, it's a celebration. We hug and kiss it every night before bed. We can't wait to see the excitement once Santa arrives!

Ready to find the perfect tree and go for a sled ride

Searching, searching

Found it...now get to work Dad

Hey wait...

...what happened to the tree that was just here?

Almost to the top...

That's better

More decorations

Gotta strip down after all that hard work...

...and of course get my buddies to pose with me

Howard and Two

Most of you have probably met Howard...the duck...Van's lovey, constant companion, and sidekick. He gets around. As much as we've tried to limit his exposure to the elements, he still sometimes makes a surprise visit to a restaurant or the garage floor. He has gotten numerous washings and he's seen many a late night inside the dryer. Needless to say, he's loved.
So thinking ahead, we asked Mimi if she could find us a back up Howard in the event that the original ever goes AWOL. We've only had one close call this summer when Nanie was visiting and the threesome went for a neighborhood stroll. But the rescue attempt was a success and Howard returned home safely. Mimi hit the jackpot and scored us the very last Howard in the store to keep in reserve. Last week, we finally had to break down and introduce him during a dryer session that just wasn't fast enough. To think that we might have been able to pass him off as the original...well see for yourself...

So now we carry Howard and Two...friends forever...identical twins not so much...

Catching up

Lots more photos and fun events to catch up on here.
Van's first Christmas celebration with Nanie and Beepa and Aunt Beth and Uncle Dan...looks like he totally gets this whole presents and fun thing! Then there's the James Center tree lighting celebration and finally Van's first Chuck E Cheese experience...this kid has quite the social calendar!

Not sure what to think of Elmo yet...

Gotta wear my backpack to open gifts..of course!

Two drink holders...good thinking...

Knuckles to the builders...hurry up and build my ride already!

Dance moves in my stylin' Christmas PJs

Lots of cool lights

Did you say cake?

This holiday season makes for some good sleepin'!

First Haircut

Van thought that Dudes and Divas was a mighty cool place to go for a haircut...until it was his turn...
So much for the adorable first haircut experience Mom was expecting...here it is tears and all.
But the cool dude after-photos made up for all the crying.