Christmas 2013

Well, I was going to write about Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas all in one post, but that's never going to happen. For now, the Christmas photos are edited so here they are.

We went to West Virginia. Evan was amazing on both drives. He napped a little bit, but mostly sat quietly and watched the scenery. I was amazed.

The fun with Cousin Michaela started immediately. I love these two together.

And with grandma... 

Two of Evan's other cousins, which he sees even less often, visited too.

Sunday morning was Christmas morning at Grandma's. Michaela and Evan had a blast opening their gifts.

"OMG! Mickey Mouse Clubhooooooouse!" 

Michaela is really an excellent big cousin. Although, like the last time we visited each other, she informed me that she's Evan's big sister. I really can't get enough of these two together.

At Lynn's house, Doug designated Evan to be his gift unwrapper. Evan enjoyed the challenge.

And he reluctantly posed with Aunt Dot, even though he was mega-grumpy from not napping.

The final stop on the WV trip was Grandma Barbi and Grandpa Ed's.

Back at home on Christmas Eve Eve, we played with his toys from WV and relaxed around the house. 

On Christmas Eve, we baked cookies for Santa. Evan enjoyed helping...

... until he tasted the icing. Then, it was all tasting and no helping.

Buttermilk Nutmeg Cookies with Sour Cream Icing
a.k.a. Eggnog in a Cookie

He did a little taste testing and gave them two thumbs up.

David and I got to play Santa for the first time this year. We enjoyed it while we could, thankful that Evan is still in his crib and couldn't venture down and catch us in the act. 

Stockings hung by the chimney for the first time ever! 

Christmas morning was funny. Evan walked right past that beautiful kitchen and headed straight to a small green Mickey Mouse gift bag (which contained a mustache-wearing Mickey t-shirt). He was SO EXCITED about that bag and the shirt. I eventually had to point out the kitchen... and the excitement was so much less. He eventually came around, though, and when asked what Santa brought, he says "A kitchen and some toys." He also regularly calls Santa on the kitchen phone to thank him. 

We had biscuits and gravy and  spent the rest of the day in our pajamas, playing with new toys and lounging.

This is as good as it gets for a picture
of all three of us on Christmas.

The gift he was most excited about-- a $2 flashlight 

Evan's first Matchbox cars

I made these blocks...
he made the tower.

Finally, some kitchen play! 

It was an awesome, lazy Christmas. We're still working on our traditions. This year we did a Christmas/winter book countdown throughout the month of December. We opened a new book each evening before bed. He loved that and I think we'll repeat that one for years to come. The only other real tradition so far is our visit to Santa. He loved him this year.