As I spoke about in this post, he loves playing with the Little People Nativity Set & Inn at Bethlehem and he really got into reading the story of Jesus's Birth in his children's bible. He also loved when we would light the advent candles every night (and even asked to light them at breakfast & lunch too! "Candles...Candles").
This year, we decided to start a tradition and spend Christmas morning at home. We want Jacob to be able to wake up on Christmas morning at his own house and open his presents before we go to visit with family. We also may have started a new tradition on Christmas Eve this year as we had the Arnold family come over for dinner. Christmas Eve is also my nephew, Pierce's birthday so it was nice to all be together to celebrate!
On Christmas morning, Jacob woke up to see lots of presents under the tree. Santa had made a visit and we had also set out gifts that Keith's mom, aunt & uncle and cousins had sent. So many gifts for one little boy!!
Jacob also got some fun treats in his stocking - matchbox cars & a little stuffed Elmo. It was really cute watching him pull out all the cars once he realized what was in there!
Opening presents with Jacob this year was definitely different than last year, but it was still a loooooong process. It is hard to explain to an 18 month old that he needs to put that fun toy that he just opened aside because he has five other presents to open. After awhile, Jake finally finished upwrapping (with help from Daddy) and he took a break playing with his new toys to watch "Elmo's World Happy Holidays" while I made blueberry waffles for brunch. [Note: "Happy Holidays" became an instant favorite for Jake and even now, on January 15th - he still wants to watch it.]
After eating and more playtime, Jacob took a nap and Keith and I packed the car for our trip to Richmond. When Jake woke up, we headed to my parents' house. Originally, we were supposed to be celebrating Christmas with my entire family on the 26th, but because of the potential snowstorm that was to arrive on that day, everyone actually arrived at my parents' on the evening of Christmas Day. My grandparents flew in from Rochester and my siblings, their spouses and all the kiddos were there - 17 of us in all. We had dinner and then we let the kiddos open a few presents before bedtime. It was a bit chaotic, but it's fun to all be together. Here is a picture I took (while standing on a kitchen chair) of the "fun". Everyone except my niece Chyler (who was already sleeping) is in the picture.
Once the kiddos were all in bed, we did the adult present opening. It is a much more organized process and we go from oldest to youngest, each opening a gift one at a time. It usually seems to take forever, but this year it didn't seem to take as long. We were TRULY blessed to receive wonderful gifts and I really enjoyed watching my family members open up the presents that we bought. Sometimes I think giving is so much more fun than receiving!Once again, it was great to have my grandparents with us on Christmas Day! They have been flying here from Rochester for the past few years and it is wonderful to get to spend time with them. I loved watching Jacob interact with them and was glad that he warmed up to them so quickly.
Jacob and "Nana"
Jacob and "Papa G"
The day after Christmas, my sister Katie and her family went back home, but the rest of us hung around. Some of us got all bundled up and went out to play in the snow that had fallen on Christmas Day & the day after. It was Jacob's first time walking around and playing in the snow and he seemed to enjoy it. It was fun to see him in the snow, but I am REALLY glad that we don't live in an area where it snows a lot. It takes a lot of effort to get a little kid all bundled up for just a few minutes of outside play time!!
Here is a video that I took of Jacob and my niece, Sierra playing in the snow:
On Monday the 27th, Keith came back home since he had to work December 28th-30th. Jake and I stayed at my parents' house and enjoyed time with my parents & grandparents. My brother & sister-in-law also recently moved in with my parents for a short while, so we were able to visit with them also. It was great to get to spend so much time together although it was bit rough at times since Jacob is going through a "Mommy, Mommy, Mommy" phase (as in, Mommy must be able to be seen or heard at all times or he completely loses it - even with people he knows like my parents!). This meant that even though I had people around who could help me do things like bath or bedtime, he wouldn't allow it. Even so, it was still like a mini-vacation for me because I didn't need to worry about cleaning the house, doing laundry or cooking meals. I always feel a bit spoiled when I am at my parents' house and this time was no different!
Here is Jacob watching a video (probably "Elmo") with my mom on his new portable DVD player while my dad and grandpa watched an old western movie on TV.
Jacob enjoyed his daily "talks" to Daddy while we were away. He learned to say "Miss you" and "Love you" in addition to his other two favorites "Hi" and "Bye-Bye".
On New Year's Eve day, Keith came back to Richmond. I had to work my part-time job online that day, but that night, we went to my friend Trish's house for a New Years Eve party while Jake stayed with my parents. It had been a long time since I had been out on New Year's Eve and it was really fun catching up with old friends. We didn't get back to my parents' house til 2am so the next day was a bit rough, but it was worth it!
Because of our desire to be home on Christmas Day and us having to work (and Keith went to NYC for a workshop the first week in January), we decided not to make a trip to PA during the holidays. I know that Keith was disappointed that he didn't get to be with his family, but I think it was the best decision for us. We are hoping to make a trip up to visit them in February.
I am a little sad that Christmas is over. This year was definitely one of my favorites!! It seemed to get here so quickly and then it was gone in a flash. And just like last year, 2011 is already flying by - January is half over!! I am trying to enjoy every moment and take it all in because I know that before I know it, we'll be preparing for Christmas again!
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