Indiana Christmas Weekend

With us heading out to Utah and then Oregon in just a few days, we enjoyed our own little Christmas as a family of 4 this weekend.

Christmas festivities included visiting the huge Christmas tree on Purdue Campus.

As well as the giant gingerbread house. Brycen loved it...well, all except that we wouldn't let him eat it.

Notice where his little hand is.

Brycen making sure Cian stays warm. Please ignore the spit-up that he promptly did right before I took the picture.

Brycen helping Mommy make Candy Trains. I remember my mom making these for my elementary school classes growing up. I decided to make them as a 'Thank You' for those that came to my baby shower a little over a week ago. Since Cian arrived 3 days before the initial baby shower was planned, it was postponed for a few weeks. It turned out to be perfect. Lots of chatting, snacking, and present opening. I told them not to bring anything, but they did anyway. And the gifts were perfect: diapers, wipes, burp clothes, 2 new outfits, personalized gifts for "Cian"--things that you can use no matter what number child they are. We have loved them.

And...the advent calendars. Brycen has quite enjoyed both the chocolate and cloth and velvet one. The cloth and velvet calendar is one Bryce's mom made and every day, you take out either a object or character to make up the Nativity Scene. So fun.

And then our first, Christmas Day (Sunday). We had a nicer meal Christmas Eve with one of Bryce's co-workers, over to join us. And then on Christmas Day, the traditional Christmas Pajamas were opened as well as stockings, and a few gifts we gave each other. Brycen recieved a bag of Clementines and 2 huge grapefruit in his stocking and you would've thought he was in heaven. Our kid LOVES fruit.

He also received a remote control Mader (from Cars), some DVDs, and a work bench that he helped Daddy put together.

The fun thing this year with Brycen is that he understands so much but at the same time, not. The big box that had his workbench in it, sat wrapped by the tree for a few weeks and Brycen never even attempted to unwrap it or bother with it. He basically saw it as another piece of furniture and it took quite a bit of explaining and directing him for him to realize it was a gift. "Brycen, go grab your last gift. The BIG box. RIGHT there. UNDER your hand". Daddy still had to go point it out to him and when he comprehended what it was, his eyes got so big. It was fun.

He wore himself out and he didn't even realize it. He fell asleep sitting up, on the ground. His eyes would close for a few minutes, his head would bob, and he would wake up temporarily and say, "Mommy, I don't like being dizzy".

Eventually he gave out.

And left Daddy to this.

And Mommy to take pictures. Among my gifts, I received a beautiful pearl necklace, bracelet, and earring set, a watch, and a new camera. My last camera which was given to me by my parents 5 Christmases ago and I have taken thousands of pictures with, has slowly started dying on me. But I loved it. Basic, easy, fast, and dependable for nice quality pictures so I got the exact same camera, but much improved over the last 5 years. A Kodak Easy Share and the love for it continues.

Daddy also received a watch, among other things such as gloves, a razor, and a stainless silverware set, service for 8. He has wanted one every since we got married and some Christmas, obviously, several Christmases from now--we may have a family big enough to use them all. :)

The rest of the day was filled with church, fruit smoothie and brownie making, sitting around the fire, singing, playing, and watching the Nativity movies on LDS.org.

Loved spending the day with my cute little family but we are looking forward to seeing alot more family here in a few days. Merry Christmas!