I LOVE CHRISTMAS!!

Sorry it has been over a week since my last post. However, with Christmas, shopping, packing, living out of a suitcase, and living with in-laws for 2 weeks I guess you could say life has been somewhat hectic!! But I'm enjoying it...because it's Christmas!! This year was even more exciting! Colton will be 2 in February so he was way into Christmas and presents this year! All of our fun started last Saturday with Nate's dad's side of the family. We met at their house and had lunch and then a white elephant gift exchange! It was so much fun. The picture of Colton with the crazy glasses on is my mother-in-law's gift! He loved it! We also got a chance to play the Wii-Colton had to have his own controller and pretended he was playing the game as well. I guess he plays better with the cute red fireman hat because he would NOT give up for anything! Made for a cute picture though!?! Don't ya think???

On Sunday we went to Nate's mom's side of the family. We had lunch and enjoyed some family time with a few of Nate's family members that we hadn't seen in a while. We got to play the Wii there as well...again Colton showed off his skills!! We also got to battle it out between the sexes and decorate Granny and Pa like Christmas trees!! They loved it and we all enjoyed seeing them relish in it! Of course the girls decorated Pa the best-but I could be a little biased! All in all, we had a great time...I've included a pic of Nate and I, his parents and sister, and his mom's parents!

On Tuesday we drove about an hour to finish up our shopping...actually Nate and I were starting our shopping as we have been so busy with moving! We went to the mall in Champaign, IL. We had planned to go early in the day so that we would beat the ice/snow/rain mix that was supposed to hit about 2 pm. Nope, we left about 10:30 and of course the weather man was wrong. About 11:00 here comes the ice! I bet we passed 10 wrecks on the way. Needless to say it was not the best pick for a day to shop! As soon as we walked into the mall there stood a HUGE (and by huge i do mean HUGE) indoor carousel! Well, of course Colton's eyes seem to spot it from 5 miles away. I love how malls know just where to place all activities that revolve around kids!! There was no way Colton was going to eat until AFTER a ride on the carousel! So, mommy gave in and we rode the carousel. I wouldn't dare want to be one of THOSE mothers whose kid is screaming in the floor because they didn't get their way! You have to pick your battles and on this day I refused to fight! Besides, what's a little carousel ride. We actually had a great time! And the look on his face was priceless! You can actually see the beginning of his parade wave! Such a sweety!! So we managed to make it home alive-an hour and a half drive and several more wreck sitings!

Then came Christmas morning! Colton knew exactly what the word present meant! His face lit up when we told him he would get to open his presents today! He ripped into all of his presents (and by all I do mean about 20 or more). However, about halfway into the paper ripping frenzy he opened a box of clothes for him. Luckily, I had the video camera going and caught the look of complete disappointment that there was not a toy in there! He actually threw the present down and grabbed another and started ripping it open! It was hilarious! We attempted to tell him that we need to be thankful for everything we get-that went in one ear and out the other. Of course the in laws understood (it was one of the presents they gave him) but we definitely will have to work on that once he understands a little more! And the parenting continues... :) He got lots of presents and being able to see the look on his face was so great! I have 1 hour of video to help me remember how great the day was! While eating breakfast he would not eat unless his firetruck and fire hat were on the table and on his head! It was so sweet! I guess of all the things this Christmas I am grateful for such a wonderful child and family! Colton is such a blessing! This year just before Christmas he and his mamaw were looking at all the nativity scenes she has up in her house. She was telling him the story of Jesus' birth and he said "Baby Jesus" after each time she said it! It was so precious! Colton doesn't say a lot (that we understand yet) but to hear him say that warmed my heart! He does listen to what we tell him and understands way more than we sometimes give him credit! Below I've included a few of my favorites from Christmas morning! I hope they bring a smile to your face just like they did mine! To each of you, I hope your Christmas was filled with love and happiness! May we never forget the true reason for Christmas...the birth of Jesus and the blessing that He has brought to each of our lives! I have been given the greatest reminder of the love God has for us and enjoy every morning waking up to his sweet laugh and beautiful smile! God has truly blessed our family! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!