...and to all a good night!

Christmas takes on a new and different meaning when you have kids. It is so fun to see it through their eyes. And I have also realized that every Christmas will be just a little different as Fisher grows. Last year he was just 5 months old, so the hustle and bustle was only that, and he really didn't get any of it-not even the presents. Here are just a few of my favorite pictures from last year.







This year has been different in so many ways.

First of all he's talking up a storm. He "says" tree, lights, Santa, snow, snowman, present. He is also walking, which means the ornaments are "walking away" from the tree. And our tree is bare of ornaments on the bottom third. We have either moved them up, or they are in a toybox/wagon/truck and I will be finding them until March.

Fisher's favorite word at the moment seems to be "no" with a head shake. The other night, he was lying on his Elmo couch near the bottom of the tree, saying "tee, tee, tee". I laid next to him and asked him if Santa was coming to see him soon. Very confidently, he shook his head and said "no". Maybe next year he'll get it.

Shopping has been a completely different experience. He came with me most of the time and did a PRETTY good job. BUT...he knows what toys are now, so the toy section was less than fun at times. There were a few items added to the cart that were not on the list, but at least I'll know he likes his presents :). I got his cousin Luke (1 year older) and cousin Jack (2 years older) some dinosaurs. I had to head right back to the store to get the same type for Fisher because he was having so much fun with theirs before I wrapped them. I wonder how different my shopping will be next year?


The holiday started on Sunday when we went to my Uncle Bobby and Aunt Brenda's for a pre-Christmas get-together. My cousin Katy is pregnant with her first child and could have her any day now. It was good to see her and her cute belly! I will let the pictures tell the rest of our holiday story (I apologize for the sideways pictures...I can't figure out how to turn them).

Aunt Brenda got the boys Christmas presents.
Fisher got Elmo puzzles and Luke got
Thomas the Train ("Lucas loves Thomas!").

I made cupcakes for the party. Here is Luke
and Missy enjoying theirs ("Lucas loves cupcakes!")

My Mom, Aunt LaVerne, and Uncle Bobby.

The boys loved playing in the stairs-probably
because we didn't want to chase them upstairs.

Fisher thought this was funny...I'm telling him
no and get down. He just laughs and goes higher.

Fisher "helped" me wrap presents. I made
him a paper crown that distracted him for a while.

This is the cake I made for our Christmas dinner with
Dave's sister's family. It is chocolate (with cut up Andes
mints in the batter) with mint icing. It was SOOOO good,
but I think after this holiday season, I will be so sick
of it that I won't be ready for it until next Christmas. I made
2 batches of cupcakes AND this cake (Fisher loved
it too...check in on Friday for pics of him
enjoying one of the cupcakes)

On the way to Aunt Becky, Uncle Kent, and cousins
Brandi and Jack's on Christmas Eve. We practiced
their names on the way there and he did a pretty
good job. We also taught him how to say dude
(as in "Cool Dude" when he wears sunglasses). It comes
out more as "Doooo", but we know what he means :).

So cool...enough said.

Cousins in their Santa hats.

Fisher played with this pirate ship for the longest time.

Peek-a-boo with Uncle Kent.

A little before dinner playtime. Uncle David is
a horse! Becky made us delicious London broil,
homemade french fries (a Christmas Eve
traditional meal for Dave's family), and
steamed lemon broccoli. SOOOOO good!

One of Fisher's presents-a bean bag pillow (or as he calls it-a bah-po).

Christmas Eve night. Fisher had to check on
the tree one last time before Santa brings his presents.

Our day started around 7:30 when Fisher woke
up. After his morning milk, he ventured down the
hall to check out the results of Santa's visit. And
look what he left behind! The overall theme this
year was animals, cars (to put down the
slide, of course), and Elmo.

Getting ready to go to cousin Luke's house.

Two cool dudes!!

Grandpa and Uncle Eddie takin' it easy.

Missy and Luke.

Reindeer Fisher.

Fisher LOVED playing with Luke's cousins-especially Zoe!

I have been writing this last for the last 3 days...time to post. Merry Christmas everyone!!