Christmas - Take One

Last weekend we had our first of many Christmas celebrations at Pop and Gran's house.  Miller is definitely "getting" Christmas a lot more this year, and I don't just mean the present opening part.  He is learning a lot about the Christmas story and that makes me oh so happy.  I pray that he learns and understands the true reason we celebrate.  We really want to make an effort to keep it from becoming a holiday of greed, as it is for many people sadly.  That being said, we did of course exchange gifts and it was fun to watch Miller light up as he opened gifts and the joy on his face as he gave our gifts to others.  

Uncle Brad gave him a basketball, football and soccer ball set.  Daddy wasn't too fond of the logo, but they're just the right size for Miller's little hands and feet.

Miller received a few Chuggington DVDs, which is a favorite of his right now.  He also discovered jelly beans and was happy to sit with daddy and make him share a few.

 

Miller was all about helping people open their gifts this year.  He'd been eying Lauren's pink present under our tree for weeks and tried to open it a few times.  He was excited when it was finally time to help her open it.

Funny memory:  There was a pair of yellow "scissors" in the playdoh set Mom gave Miller.  They can't cut anything except playdoh, but after he saw us using scissors to open various boxes, etc. he decided he needed to use his to open every present, too.  Here he is helping Brad open his box.

 After the gifts were opened, it was time to break-in a few of the new toys.

We came to the conclusion that we should have just wrapped up boxes full of rocks, sticks, and leaves.  He found a big leaf pile at the bottom of the seawall and, after daddy inspected it, he must have jumped into it a million times.

 Where's Waldo?

That evening Miller and Bryant built a fire in the fire-pit outside so that we could make s'mores.  Miller loved them, but he wasn't really patient enough to actually roast the marshmallows.  He ended up looking like a contestant in Fuzzy Bunny.  {Bryant just laughed at me and said he's never heard of that game.  Please tell me you know what I'm talking about!}

The next day it was time for us to head home, but mom wanted us to attempt a few family pictures while everyone was actually dressed {a rare occasion since we're usually in our pajamas or bathing suits at their house}.  Miller was really excited about the photo session.

 

And then we gave up.  Oh well, maybe next time decade we'll get a good one.  Thanks for a wonderful, early Christmas Pop & Gran!