Christmas (Part One)

After our Christmas at the Zoo traffic nightmare, one would think twice about trekking to the Children's Museum the day before Christmas Eve.  However, I apparently hadn't learned my lesson yet - at least we had Auntie Kate in the car to make things fun. 

I pumped on the ride down so Maverick could have a bottle while we waited in line for the Arctic Slide.  I'm not sure if more teeth are going to pop soon, but he chews on EVERYTHING.

I braved the slide with Phoebe while Auntie waited with Maverick.

We ran into one of Phoebe's friends from school and they had great fun playing together in the winter exhibit baking cookies, ice skating AND ice fishing.

This one got to hang out with Auntie and the penguins.

We are SO lucky Auntie loves our kids so much - she got to spend a LOT of time with them!

 

Phoebe even helped groom the reindeer.

 

Ryan got to go to the Colts game Thursday night (so these are really out of order, I apologize) so we took Auntie on yet another opportunity to sit in traffic with us - Reynolds Farm. 

Christmas Eve morning, Maverick woke up and had leaked a bit - in an effort not to wake Ryan, I let him run around in his diaper for just a bit.

Christmas Eve we went to church with YiaYia and Papou, Uncle Steve and Auntie Kate.  However, Auntie Kate came down with a stomach bug during the service and since we already had the bug once this year, we headed home afterwards instead of to their house for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner of Greek food.

Christmas morning pictures were taken on our "good" camera so those will be saved for another post.  Here are the kiddos in their Christmas outfits before we headed up to Anderson to be with extended family (Auntie had been sick throughout the night so we didn't go over for our traditional breakfast either).  And Maverick had another little leakage issue on the way north so this is the only picture in his Christmas outfit.

 

Phoebe loves her Innotab and was showing Hailey how it worked.

 

These two had lots of fun together!

 

Maverick hanging out in his back-up outfit!

More girl fun!

 

David made sure Maverick was entertained as well!

 

Grandpa Newell sharing his Christmas wisdom.

 

Cortney was kind enough to french braid Phoebe's hair

(we'd never seen her sit in one place so long!).

 

The finished product!  Love it!

 

Phoebe playing with her Polly Pockets.

 

You know it's the holidays when it's time to play Bingo!

 

 

Monday morning we finally headed to YiaYia and Papou's for breakfast and Christmas.  See how happy my boys are?

 

 

Maverick was SO happy to be with Auntie again!

 

She had these cute little waves in her hair after sleeping in her braids but it was hard to capture in a picture. 

Maverick got some good boy books to add to our collection.

Phoebe was Papou's assistant in helping pass out the presents.



Showing off the pillow pet she's been asking for and a poodle purse in her two favorite colors!



Ryan modeling a new scarf (not his, in case you're curious!).



Maverick getting a ride in YiaYia's wheelchair.

Trying out her Disney "Read to Me" books.

Maverick showing Papou how everything can fit in his mouth!

It seems he's also rediscovered his tongue - it's constantly out or to the side.  Adorable!



Phoebe loved hanging out with Uncle Steve!

Maverick's new tool bench. 

Uncle Steve got Phoebe a build-your-own crazy straw kit. 



The holidays were pretty laid back and seemed to fly by.   We actually started packing up all our decorations last night.   I think there are now enough toys to distract our kids and they won't even notice the tree is missing!   Either way, I had to post one more picture of happy boy and his messy face!  He's officially eating vegetables and yogurt, too - for the longest time he would only eat fruit and wouldn't touch anything that had cereal mixed in - he's come a LONG way!

























Blogger is REALLY throwing a wrench in my posts lately.  The spacing is all funky (case in point as my writing starts directly underneath this picture) and it's not allowing me to upload more than one picture at a time- am I alone in this? If anyone knows how to avoid this, please let me know!