Matthew's first Big Boy Christmas

It was fun to see Matthew get excited about some of the Christmas traditions. He helped Daddy put lights, ornaments, and candy canes on the Christmas tree. Every morning when we came downstairs the first thing Matthew did was run to the Christmas tree and point at the lights to turn them on. When we went on walks in the evening Matthew had some favorite decorations in neighbors yards that he liked to check out, namely a cute little Rudolph he liked to pet.

Alex had to work on the 25th and 26th so we celebrated on Christmas Eve. Alex's parents came to town and so we had the Tyus family, the Morans, and Granna and Jackie. We had to wait until later in the week for Marc and Amber to come home. We had a nice Christmas dinner and then opened presents. The boys were having a great time. They got trucks from Neno, pretty cool super hero action figures from Alex, and Matthew got a tricycle from Adina. Matthew has come to be very engaged with Disney and Mickey Mouse Club. His favorite is Goofy, whom he calls, "Goooof!". Daddy got Matthew a big Goofy, and Tio Mike got Matthew a dancing Mickey who does Matthew favorite, The Hot Dog Dance! The hardest thing about this vacation was sharing toys for the boys. We have PLENTY of toys but somehow they always seem to want whatever toy the other has at the time. They progressed as the vacation went on and did better by the end. We spent Christmas morning at home with the Grands. We played outside mostly and Matthew rode his tricycle, which he loves!

Marc and Amber came to visit at the end of Christmas week. They bought cool toys as always. Matthew got some wood blocks and a bench with a little mallet to bang on. In keeping with the "banging" theme, Matthew also was given a drum set by Granna. He likes it, especially playing the drum and blowing on the trumpet.

Christmas Cards

I was so late getting Christmas Cards out this year. In part because it was so dang hot and I wanted us to look nice in Christmas sweaters. When Aunt Lori came to town we finally had a photographer to help out. Lori, Noah and Granna came over and helped take some nice pictures of our family in front of a nearby pond. We had nice evening lighting and I loved taking pictures of Matthew and Alex playing together in the grass, Matthew climbing on Alex and cuddling with him.

Matthew Learns to jump

We went to a Christmas Party that one of my favorite McKitrick families hosts each year. We had good food and enjoyed time chatting with the Dugans. Matthew was a little fussy when we got there so we went outside and found a football to entertain Matthew with. That made him feel better but then we found the trampoline. There were some older kids jumping so Matthew wanted no part of that, but he watched as he always does, from the side. When the kids were done playing Matthew tried it himself. It was so cute to see him try with all his might to jump. He really couldn't get his feet off the ground but he would squat then reach for the sky. He liked bouncing and flopping all over the place.

It was fun to watch him enjoy himself... until Santa made his appearance. Matthew was content to be a blob on Santa's lap last year but this year he was more aware of things that aren't normal and he did not like Santa one bit. In the days after this and after Christmas Matthew came around. He recognized Santa pictures and figurines and even said "San-ta" in a precious little voice.