Christmas 2012

Christmas was fun this year.  It's hard not to love Christmas every year, but this year was especially jolly because it was our first Christmas with Jude really getting it and joining in in all the fun.

This year...

I made an advent calendar and tried to fill it with fun things for us to do each day--Christmas lights, Christmas coloring pages, Christmas gingerbread house decorating, Christmas walks, Christmas jammies, and of course, Christmas treats!  Jude quickly learned to wake up from his nap and ask to open his treat. 

Jude loved to play with our Christmas dog that very LOUDLY sings Jingle Bells.  Had to put the kai-bosh on him during Leland's naps...

Jude singing Rudolph on repeat.  Everywhere.  My favorite part, "...as they shouted out wit gree!"

Santa coming over to our very own house for a pre-Christmas visit.  Jude ran right up to him and told him he wanted a puzzle, and was just his friendly little self with him.

Craft night with the cousins where we painted their feet green and made "mistletoes".

Our one attempt at a family portrait and this is what we got...

Twinsies!

Santa comes!

When we heard Jude start singing in his room (that's how he wakes up sometimes), guess who got all jittery and nervous?  Me!  Dave and I both jumped outta bed.  I put my contacts in, and Dave got the camera at the ready.  We went in his room, and said, "Jude, it's Christmas.  Guess who came?"

And I think Jude said something like, "Is Grampa Mark here?  Did Grampa came?"  And we said, "No, not Grandpa.  Go see.  Go look to see!"

Out ran Jude to the front room to see that Santa had left him a race track, a puzzle, a stick horse and a stocking full of goodies.  He was so. dang. cute.  He methodically played with each toy, before we prompted him to perhaps open another present?  By the end, he was bouncing around, trying to open allll the presents, and then bouncing around from toy to toy to toy--I mean, so many toys, so little time, right?

Leland stayed up long enough to nurse and snap this picture...

This year, Dave decided to grow a mustache for Christmas.  And now we have it documented for all time and eternity!

The year of Tow-Mater!

Then Dave bundled up the kids for Christmas brunch at Rachel's, and I bundled up myself for Christmas day at work!!  Once I got off, we all headed up to my mom's for a cozy, crazy Christmas dinner.  Leland got in some good cuddle time with all his grandparents, and Jude bounced around and made messes with the cousins.

A whirlwind day, but all in all, and great holiday!