Jingle all the way!
Then the camcorders flipped on and we got down to business. GG really got into unwrapping the gifts up this year, with our favorite consistent comment being, "::
THOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMASSSSSSSSSSSSS!
Cheeeeeeeeeese
After we were all stuffed and appropriately gifted, everyone bundled up and headed home so we could get little miss off to bed. She definitely knows who Santa is and what function he serves but she doesn't quite grasp that he comes at night and magically deliver presents under the tree. So Christmas morning we awoke and once again busted out the camcorder to capture the reaction when she walked into the previously empty living room to find it filled to the brim with goodness. It was so, so fun spending Christmas morning just the three of us together, especially since this is our last Christmas in this house. There were an obscene number of gifts to go around, and along with piles of puzzles and books AND a trampoline, GG got the one thing she's been asking for since this summer: a pink Boo-ers hat.
#1 fan
Carnage. But oh yes, that's a Kitchen Aid mixer you see. Thanks, Santa Baby
Once the destruction was minimally contained we refueled on a super healthy breakfast of chocolate twist donuts. Deeeeeeeeelish. Then we packed the Pilot and the Poodle and made the trek westward to Rochester. We made absolute RECORD time - just a hair over 4 hours - thanks to only stopping for gas once and not actually ever taking Genevieve out of her seat. Ahh the beauty of a kid who can eat a peanut butter and jelly sandwich while strapped in to a car seat. We arrived in plenty of time for dinner followed by - what else? - even more presents. This time the tot got a huge easel and piles of toys and clothes from Grandma and Pop Pop, and a sled from Uncle Grant. She's only been in a sled once so we were anxious to bust it out the next day.
A little pre-present warm up
Hey, I know how to do this
Yes, those are matching doggy reindeer jammies
The next day we got all bundled and headed outside. Too bad there wasn't any snow to play in. Oh sorry, I'm confusing this year with five years ago when we were married in Rochester and there was nary a flake on the ground. This year there were several feet already, just waiting to be flopped on. Uncle Grant had even taken time earlier in the week to build a humongous snow fort for Genevieve to play in (or so the claim went. If you ask me he knew a toddler was coming and took the opportunity to revisit his youth by building a fort but under the guise of 'um, it's for the 2 year old'. Busted). As with most things Genevieve was super cautious on the approach and not very interested in heading inside. But once I sort of dragged her in she loved it!
You want me to go where now?
Hey, this is just my size!
We wanted to get the sled out too but first we grabbed our ancient sled from the 80's just to drag her around the yard. Genevieve burst into tears and truly wanted nothing to do with it, but apparently it seemed mighty appealing to Grandma.
I shall help Pop Pop shovel instead
As parents Matt and I try to appreciate that Genevieve is not a fearless kid and that it takes her a while to warm up to the idea of trying new things (hello, I did laps around the wading pool with her for a half hour this summer before she would go in to her little ankles). So although sledding day 1 was not a hit, we tried again the next day on a little hill near my parents' home. The first run was a tear-fest but after the second or third go, someone decided she loved sledding. We went down and back up, down and back up, down and back up for an hour. There was no wind, and the sun was shining...it was so fun!
"Daddy, go FAST!"
Success!
"I crawl in the snow like a baby". Whatever you say, kiddo
Preparing for Round I with Grandma
Giving the hamstrings a work out. Wait, is she....?
Yep, she chose to lay wounded-soldier-style up the hill. It's all fun and games until someone flips out of the sled.
Where better to wrestle than the snow?
Snow bunny family
We stayed through Wednesday so there was plenty of time to hang out with our favorite Roch friends, the Kroenings. Their kiddos are getting so big and adorable, and it is always fun when we actually have a chance to get together and catch up.
Poor Henry is all, "why am I here?"
I love this one. Henry is looking at GG, GG is looking at Miles, and Miles is looking...well, who knows, but it's adorable
We headed out for a burger then back to my parents' place to play a little
Hey it glows. Gimmie that.
We headed home on Wednesday with another pretty easy drive. Maybe Geeg is making up for the migraine-inducing screams she used to present us with on car rides. Either way the car was loaded to the brim with loot and we were really glad to have had extended time with our family and friends.
We spent the rest of the week hanging out and on New Year's Eve dropped GG off for her first sleepover at Grandma and Grandpa's (direct Karl quote, "I can't believe I'm eating spaghetti and chicken patties for New Year's"), after which Matt and I headed to Menard's to buy them out of totes and other packing supplies. I ask you, what says five years of wedded bliss better than saving big money at Menard's??? Very little. We spent most of the night scratching the tip of the packing iceberg but around 8 p.m. finally got ready to celebrate our anniversary with a meal at one of the best restaurants in the city,
2 comments:
that video of your mom is crazy funny. wow.
we had a great time with you guys! it will be fun to have the whole gang together in a few weeks :)
GG learned the "wounded soldier" from seeing her dad asleep. that's the only way i've seen him sleep... like he's in a coffin.
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