Christmas Celebration #2

After all the gifts were opened under our tree, we packed up the car and headed to Mark's parents house to celebrate with them, Amy and Greg. We had an amazing meal and a relaxing afternoon. We were so relaxed that we failed to take more pictures...oops!

Christmas Morning

We had several Christmas celebrations and each was so special. Christmas Eve, Mark's parents joined us for the family service at our church. You might remember that last year Grace played the roll of Baby Jesus at that service. This year she was able to go up with the other kids and sit on the floor to listen to the Christmas story. We made it about half way through the story before we had to go back to our seat because she was wanting to roam around--not bad for a one year old! Mark's parents joined us for dinner and then headed home. Christmas morning was just the three of us and Daisy. We woke up at 7:30 and were shocked that Grace hadn't woke us up with her babbling yet. I was able to get our breakfast casserole in the oven and Grace didn't wake up until the timer was going off at 8--what a Christmas treat to have her sleep in! It was so much fun watching her walk out and see the tree with the gifts under it. We got Grace a sled and a rocking chair. They were setting out under the tree and she ran right over to the sled and climbed in. It was adorable! After breakfast, we went back and opened the gifts Santa had left and others that had been sent from family and friends. I was surprised to see that Daisy had a gift from Grace and Grace had a gift from Daisy. Daddy must have helped both of them shop :) It was definitely the perfect morning!

Santa has come!

"Hmmm...what's that?"

"Looks like I should climb into it!"

"And I should climb on this too!"

Yummy blueberry french toast casserole!

Somebody has energy after breakfast!

I think Grace needs a boa! These mittens are decorative and I hang them on our door handle. Every time she sees them, Grace grabs them and wears them like this.

Opening Santa presents--"What is it?"

"Oh! My own phone!"

Really getting into it now!

Opening her purse

Santa presents are open so time for a break and a sled ride around the house

Playing with the parachute that Santa got for Grace.

Daisy with her gift from Grace

Grace in her gift from Daisy

A collector doll from GG!

A puzzle from Grace's friend, Porter

"That was hard work! I think I'll relax with a book in my rocker."

Waiting for Christmas

With our trip to Michigan to be with my dad and with travel over the holidays, we decided to take advantage of the ability to take Grace out of daycare for a month. It gave us some extra holiday spending money, and more importantly, gave me a chance to be a full-time mommy! Grace and I had so much fun the week before Christmas. We played A LOT, shopped a bit, visited the library (they have a castle there!), and spent lots of time cuddling. I loved every minute of it and am looking forward to one more week with G at home although school work is starting to call again! Here are pictures from one evening we had at home together.

Grace tried pudding for the first time--she loved it :)

Happy Birthday Mr. Andy!

We returned from Michigan just in time to celebrate our friend Andy's birthday on Sunday evening (December 20th). Andy and Abigail are both grad students with me at Purdue and over the past few years we have become great friends with the two of them. They had us over for dinner and to celebrate Andy's birthday. Abigail made an AMAZING dinner, complete with her to-die-for pineapple upside-down cake. We brought the entertainment for the evening in the form of Grace. Perhaps it was the time in the car on our way back from Michigan, but something got into her and she was quite the character that evening. She loved playing with their colander and also loved pretending that Andy's iPod was a phone. She must have been getting some very important calls because she kept taking the iPod and walking into the other room for some privacy. The videos at the bottom don't capture quite how hilarious she was. Thanks for a great night Kings and here's to a great year for you Andy!

Hone Christmas Extravaganza

The Hone Family (Mark's Mom's family) gathered in Rockford, MI on December 19th for the annual Christmas party. Grace and her cousin, Gabe, were the highlight of the party. They had a lot of fun together and made everyone smile and laugh (especially their GG!). A huge thanks to GG and G2Pa for hosting another great gathering!

Two babies and two happy grandmothers!

Family shot

Grace and her greats

The grandkids with the grandparents (couldn't hold the greats down to get them in this pic!)

Grace and Gabe--high five!

The video above shows the "game" that Grace and Gabe played for quite some time!

Ready for bed but need to open presents first. (Thanks to all the great aunts and uncles for the fun gifts!)