Christmas

Since we had church on Christmas morning, we took some pictures on Christmas Eve of the boys in their "matching" jammies (their pants match). 

Thanks Grandma Brower!  We had to take pictures in the matching jammies the night before since we would not be opening presents until after church.  With Mommy.

James was too into playing with the iTouch to look at the camera.  What is Jacob looking at in this picture?

This one shows what he is constantly watching.

James!  Jacob loves his big brother! This is the best picture I got after Santa visited our house.

Christmas morning, James woke up with just enough time to get ready for church, so we did not say anything about the presents in the basement until church was over.  Here are the pictures of what we found when church was over.  Jacob with one of his new hats and his new toy.

Jacob's other new hat.

James with his two new movies and a new book.

He is wondering where his toys are.  Jacob had opened a toy, but James had yet to and was really wanting one.  Daddy's Charlie Brown hat.

One of James's new hats (on backwards).

Mommy's new scarf.

James with his other new hat on while he plays with his new trains.

Mommy with a new front/back pack to carry Jacob!

Also you can see some of our other loot.  James was too busy to look at the camera. "Meow."

Daddy's new legos.

Here is more of what we all received.

More train tracks.

McMissle on Jacob's toy.

James enjoying Jacob's toy while Jacob is too young to know the difference.

James with his new puzzle.

He can now do it all by himself and does it over and over.  We had a good Christmas!  Thanks for all the gifts from family and Santa!  Hope everyone else had a wonderful day!

Decked Out

Here are a few pictures of Jacob in his Christmas outfits.

Jacob eating his cow before church.

I know he has a bib on in both, but he is a major drool monster right now.  He soaks at least two bibs a day!  He also chews on anything he can get to his mouth.  I hope these teeth come in soon!

Graham Cracker Houses

Right before Christmas, we made Graham Cracker Houses.  Jon had some time off to enjoy doing this with us.  I helped James with his house and Jon made his own.  James ate more candy then ended up on his house, but I was surprised at how much did end up on the house.  Here he had tried a gummy bear, and did not like it so he gave it to me.

What's next?

Jacob sat and watched.

Another Gumdrop.

Can you guess what Jon is making?

I could not at this point.  He was building a tower.

James's finished house. 

Notice the backwards "J" on the front for James.

Jon made a lighthouse. 

It was my idea to use yellow gumdrops for the light.

Jon's finished lighthouse.

It was a lot of fun, and something that James enjoyed this year.  I wonder if Jacob will be big enough next year to enjoy this tradition?

Meijer Gardens

We received a membership to Meijer Gardens for Christmas.  Thanks Grandma Felt!  We were able to go and look at Christmas lights, the Christmas Trees from around the world, and trains that were on display.  It was a fun night.  The Harris family (minus Tyler) were able to join us too.  Here are my pictures.  Jacob's reaction to all the lights.

One of my favorite trees.

It is representing Ukraine.  I just love that even though they were poor they were able to have a tree with such beautiful decorations from a magical spider. There were also carolers there.

More Trees.

The trains.

One of the new buildings in the train display this year is where Jon works, Helen Devos Children's Hospital.

The tropical greenhouse even had lights.

I was trying to find the right setting on my camera to take pictures of the lights.

I think I finally found it.

Jon and James looking at a cow.

The big horse statue.

James and Hailey had a lot of fun playing here.

Walking back to the warm greenhouses.

Jon and James next to the Switzerland Tree.

Germany.

There was supposed to be a pickle ornament on this tree, but we looked and looked and did not find it.

James saw Santa, but would not sit on his lap or even in the sleigh.

It did not take long before he was done.

Harris family with Santa.

As we were leaving we saw this star over the greenhouses, and it looked cool.

We had a lot of fun.  We need to go back during the day and play with the trains.  It will be a fun place to go and spend some time this year!

My Favorite

I am going to take a little break from Christmas stuff to post a few videos from the last few days.  We had "Yellow Death" for dinner one night.  James kept saying, "Mac & Cheese.  My favorite!"  So I made him repeat it for the camera. 

If you cannot tell, he does really love the "blue box dinner."

Giggling

Jacob was giggling so much a few nights ago.  Jon tired to get it on camera, but the minute Jacob saw the camera he would watch it.  I guess he already knows what the camera does, or he just wants to get it in his mouth.  Jon had to be sneaky, but even then this is all we got.

Jon and I were laughing really hard too so hopefully you can pick out Jacob's laugh.  Jacob loves pat-a-cake.  Please ignore my end of the day hair.

Last Video

Here is a failed attempt to get Jacob giggling.

You can see how he kept looking at the camera whenever he saw it.

Christmas Stuff

We did quite a few things this month related to Christmas.  Somethings we did that I do not have any pictures for:

• Brought homemade goodies to our neighbors
• Ward Christmas Party
• Raclette Party on Christmas Eve with 2 other families
• Sang in the choir every Sunday during Sacrament Meeting (I actually skipped out one week since I was by myself and because of a disinagrated diaper and wet bed which had to be followed by a bath, and poppy diapers, I was late to church.  Jacob was screaming when we walked into church, because he was hungry, so we stayed in the foyer.)
• Looked at Christmas lights anytime we drove some where after dark

We also did some fun things this month that are not really related to Christmas.

• Ward Temple Trip and babysitting at the church next door
• Panda Express from a food court in East Lansing
• Baby shower for one of Jon's fellow residents (We did not stay for the Christmas Party afterwards, because Jon had to work that night.)
• Played at the church one morning with other families in the ward (It was lots of fun! James brought his bike.  There was also an obstacle coarse and a parachute.)
• Went to dinner twice with candidates for the Pediatric Residency Program (The food was awesome!)