New Year's Eve

We spent a quiet evening in and it looks like we're starting our own traditions.  It seems like the one time of year that I indulge in shrimp cocktail followed by grilled steaks.  Isaac was of course, in bed well before midnight but it's such a special time knowing in a few short years that will change.  We have so much to be thankful for and I know we've certainly been blessed.  2013 will be full of wonderful moments.  ;)

Fun with Papa

There are so many ways to spend time with family and have fun.  But for a little boy and his papa Isaac decided it would be great fun to spend the evening climbing on papa!

Isaac attempted to climb on papa's back and didn't give up until he had his balance just right.  He was full of smiles and giggles the entire time!

Christmas

We spent Christmas in Alabama this year.  Grandma and Grandpa had the tree decorated with all the trimmings.

Santa left Isaac a couple of very special presents in very special packaging just for him. 

Grandma made sure Isaac had a full tummy before the festivities began.

When Isaac saw the tree for the first time Christmas morning he found a car!  The perfect size, just for him.  He was one happy camper and couldn't wait to get in and test it out. 

Isaac shared his toys with Grandpa too.

Grandma and Grandpa opened their new Christmas ornament from Isaac.

Papa got a special package from Santa too!  He must have been good this year as well. ;)

Isaac wasn't crazy about going outside to share Christmas wishes with Goose the yellow lab.  He opted to sit inside and look out the window instead while Goose opened his very open Christmas present.

Mama helped Isaac learn how to use his new toy.

It was difficult to conceal the identity of a wrapped ball without wrapping it inside a box but Isaac didn't seem to mind.

Grandma and Grandpa enjoyed spending Christmas with all of us but having Isaac just makes everything more special.

Isaac is still working on his unwrapping skills.  He had to take a nap in the midst of opening gifts.  He might actually be on to something too.  It's a great way to extend the fun and have something to open all day long.  Before dinner he opened a special gift from Auntie Fiona.

We all had a wonderful day.  To say we're blessed in so many ways just doesn't seem sufficient.  :)

Christmas Eve

It's Christmas eve!  Not that Isaac had any clue what was going on or that he really cared.  However, grandma was fully prepared and pulled out some colorful puzzle squares for Isaac to play with.

He had a lot of fun pulling up the squares.

And trying them on.

Last year we went to the Christmas Eve service with my parents and planned to go again this year although I was very hesitant.  Isaac, sitting still and being quiet for longer than five minutes?

I made sure we sat in the very back and I was armed with snacks and comfort items.  Isaac sat on my lap for a bit, then papa's, then grandpa's.  He was fully entertained with grandpa's watch.....for a few minutes at least.  The Christmas service had a Polar Express theme and I took Isaac down front with all of the kids for a short story.  He didn't want to sit still there either but he enjoyed getting his very own bell.  Let's just say we didn't make it through the entire service this year although we did try.  I took Isaac to the lobby to minimize the disruption.  If Isaac had his way he would have ran around, up and down the aisles and probably crawled under the pews.  We decided to save that adventure for another time. :)

Holiday Time

We arrived at Grandma and Grandpa Strickling's for Christmas.

Frazer and Isaac went out to the farm with dad so Isaac could see the cows. Isaac was all bundled up but he had fun with papa on the 4-wheeler and helped Grandpa feed the moo-moo cows.

That evening I downloaded a few toddler application on the ipad for Isaac to play with.  He was more interested in swiping the screen than watching or listening to the alphabet.  :)

Christmas Elves

Christmas is only a few days away and a couple of items for Isaac had to be assembled.  It was such a wonderful moment to experience our first right of passage being parents at Christmas.  Santa needed help and Frazer was so pleased to provide assistance. :)

Isaac's workbench came with many pieces that required assembly.

Before we knew it the work bench and kitchen set were fully assembled.  The work of santa's elves was finished.  :)

Isaac Holiday Photos

I'm sure I've said this before but I really love the mom's group.  An event was organized with a local photographer to take holiday photos.  We went to the most beautiful park in late November with a covered bridge.  The fall leaves made the perfect backdrop and it was a beautiful day.  It was supposed to be an opportunity for us to have family pictures taken but unfortunately Frazer had a last minute trip and he couldn't make it.

There were so many great photos of Isaac it was so difficult to choose!

Isaac instantly laid back in this little sofa.  He's such a handsome little man.

Playing peek-a-boo.

Playing in the crunchy leaves.

Throwing a pinecone.

Being silly.

Cuddles with mama.

Being silly......and these were all the photos we didn't get.

The five we actually chose:

He's such a cutie!!

Updates Coming Soon :-)

I was plugging along with blog updates until we made it home from our trip to England.  I was plagued with a crummy sinus infection that led to a cough that wouldn't go away, then Bronchitis.  I usually take advantage of Isaac's nap times and evenings to keep things updated. Lately, that time has been spent recuperating or helping Santa's elves with holiday preparations from decorating, crafting, baking, shopping and gift wrapping.

I have been writing some as well.  I have a BUNCH of posts drafted and just need a bit of uninterrupted time to get them edited and posted.

Updates are coming....very soon!

:)

Gingerbread House Decorating

I took the plunge and decided to host our first event with the mom's group.  I thought it would be fun to get some kiddos together to decorate their own gingerbread house for the holiday.  It was a bit of work to get everything prepared, all the gingerbread cut out, baked and the houses assembled but it turned out so much better than I anticipated.

I set up all the stations for each kiddo the night before with all the decorations and additional icing.

I helped Isaac with the icing while he attempted to place the gum drops and candies on his little house.  However, he ended up eating way more candy that I ever planned on!

It was a fun morning and very easy to clean up.  Isaac on the other hand, had fun, too much fun.  It was my first time experiencing him on a true sugar high.  I've never seem him full of so much energy running around like a maniac!

Nutcracker Painting

We had a fun outing with the mom's group this morning to a local art gallery that had a fun craft set up for the kids.  I have to admit I was a bit anxious about this one.  Isaac with paints in an open area....I wasn't sure how this would turn out.

He instantly jumped in with the paint brush and went straight for the paints.  Then.....he went straight for his mouth!  Ugh! Yuck!  Of course from his perspective it seemed like a logical approach to test it out.  Once that mess was cleaned up I guided him back to his Nutcracker. 

Isaac chose an unusual selection of colors....

He was very focused on mixing the paints to achieve the ultimate shade for his vision.

His final masterpiece!  This is where my OCD emerges.  I had this overwhelming need to take this home and repaint it the correct colors.  But, I knew this was his piece, his experience and it was perfect just the way it was.  Once we got home it was proudly displayed on the mantel.  :)  It was a great experience with minor collateral damage of paint on both our shirts and some how some got in my hair but it was all worth it.

Holiday Shopping, Play, and Mischief

Isaac and I ventured out for some holiday shopping today and while we were at the mall we had to stop for a bit at the play area.

Isaac really enjoys running around the soft play area in the mall and today it wasn't very crowded which was great.  It's so much easier to keep an eye on him when it's less crowded.  After he ran around to burn some steam and had his fix of playing with the fire engine it was time to go.

This evening while I was writing out Christmas cards I thought Isaac might like to try his hand at coloring.  I pulled out the crayons and a couple pages from a coloring book and let him at it.

I looked up from writing addresses and this is what I saw!  He snuck a sharpie from my pile while I wasn't looking.  Apparently crayons just aren't colorful enough for him. :)  At least I've had practice on how to remove sharpie marks from toddlers.  He had a good time so in the end that's all that mattered to me.  How can you resist that face??

Christmas Cookie Helper

I love baking and look forward to the holiday baking season each year.  I was a bit worried I wasn't going to be able to bake anything this year since I've felt so awful lately and getting over the bronchitis. Today, was a new day and it was time to break out the mixer and get the sugar started.  I was super excited to have a helper too!

Isaac is usually at my feet while I'm in the kitchen and as he gets taller I see him straining to see what's going on.  I have such great memories of baking with my grandma that I want to make sure Isaac has every opportunity to be in the kitchen and be involved with the process.  He was most interested in what was taking place.  He carefully watched as I measured out and prepared each ingredient.  I picked him to watch the mixer as it whirled everything together.

Of course the best part is always tasting the batter to make sure it's just right!  Isaac had his first go at licking the beaters and he approved.  :)

It was a long day of baking but 12 dozen Italian Christmas cookies later and they were finished.  I always forget how tedious these are to make but they're so worth it!