Christmas 2010

"Happy Birfday to Jesus.  He be 10." 
This was one of Landon's favorite Christmas songs (that and "Jingle Bells.") and it just made me smile because with all the busyness of the season, a 2 year old reminded me what the season is all about.  Yes, he did actually make up the song.  That's one of his favorite things to do...make up songs about random things.  I wonder who he learned that from.... :)  With 4 Christmas parties in 4 days (and 1 a week earlier), we were definitely blessed by a lot of family time and a lot of gifts.  We had the Hahn Christmas on the 22nd.  We enjoyed beef stroganoff and watching the kids open their gifts.  Landon is really enjoying his Lightning McQueen Dominoes and Em is loving her padded Princess chair and nursery.  The kids had kind of a difficult time sharing the cool chair, so Uncle Nate bought Landon a Cars chair too so they each have one!


Landon as Santa's helper



Emmy loving her new chair



The kids performing their rendition of "Jingle Bells" (with Gma singing, them ringing the bells and shouting, "Hey!")

Then the next night, we had our annual Friend Christmas with the Frye's, Davis's, and Jenn.  We had some fun times playing in the snow, eating yummy pizza, decorating cookies for Santa, and playing card games.

John pulling "the kids" on the sled behind the 4-wheeler

Emmy smiling saying, "No" (which means snow) and Landon crying saying, "I wanna go in the house.  I chan't run fast."

The kids going for a "horsie ride" on a tired horsie!

Everybody helping to decorate, or eat, cookies.

Landon and Emmy's creation

 The next night was Christmas Eve and we had the Bergers and Clarks over for haystacks and more gifts to open!  The kids did a GREAT job with gifts this year.  I think Landon is starting to understand that he can leave his new toy to open another gift and his toy will still be there when he gets back.  Landon enjoyed his "big truck, semi trucks" that he got and Em really enjoyed her new baby.

New Christmas p.j.s

Aunt Tina and Uncle Steven gave the kids a book with their voices recorded to read each page

 Then the next morning, the kids woke up and Emerson immediately found the crumbs from the cookies that Santa left and started to eat them.  So we decided to open stockings at 7:30.  They loved pulling out the presents and Landon got his new car that he asked Santa for so he was pretty excited!  After stockings, we ate breakfast and opened our family's gifts.  Landon got a car ramp/garage and Emmy got a dog with puppies in the belly.

Christmas morning...opening their stockings from Santa

 After naps, we headed over to the Vantine Christmas at Todd and Cathy's house.  It was great catching up with everybody.  The kids did well with all of the excitement (except they had no interest in eating supper, so we had a few meltdowns before bedtime).

Our Family Christmas picture

The extended family (this picture was taken WAY TOO CLOSE to bedtime...as you can tell by Landon's "smile" :))

Landon and great Papa.  Everybody feels happier with a cup of milk! :)

 

Merry Christmas from our family to yours.  And may 2011 bring you many more happy memories!

Landon's in his "big boy bed"!

One night and one nap in the process and Landon has taken to his new toddler bed like a champ.  He just lays there and talks himself to sleep (just like he did in his crib).  And he actually slept better last night then he had been in his crib (no waking up at 4 am for his "banetees"-blankets).  He is such a little rule follower that I didn't figure we'd have too much trouble with him! :)  I'm sure he'll figure out that he can get out when he wants to, but I'm also sure that after a few times of getting in trouble, he'll stay in his bed until he is told to get up! :)  We're so proud of our little-I mean BIG boy!

Landon and Emerson for one last time in his crib

Landon happy to be getting a big boy bed!

Landon helping Daddy put his new bed rails on

Landon trying out his new bed with his "new stuff" (a Lightning McQueen pillow and blanket)

A Star and A Star....in the Making! :)

On Sunday the kids at church put on the annual Christmas play and this year our kids got asked to participate.  They were all supposed to be non-traditional Christmas ornaments (note the dragon and giraffe below).  Emerson was a super star.  She LOVED being on stage with all of the other kids.  She stood there like a trooper and even followed the directions to sit down and get off the stage at the right time!  They had streamers to hold for one song and "baby Jesus" dolls to hold in another.  Everytime we asked her if she was ready to go back on stage, she smiled and said, "DO!"

Tyler and Emerson holding their streamers



Emerson watched the other kids and sat down when they all sat.

  Landon was another story.  He absolutely bawled when we tried to put him on stage.  He cried at the practice and we tried to get him all excited about going on stage on Sunday and he acted happy....until I put him on the stage! :)  He ended up sitting with Daddy and his Papa's, while I helped Em on and off the stage.  So I guess we'll try again next year with him.  I think once he starts going to Kids Club on Wednesday night, he'll get more used to all the kids and the noise, and maybe he'll like it! :)

Landon: It too LOUD!