Christmas at our house:

While most of the day was a blur of cooking, nap-times, diaper changes, hugs, family, and toys, we truly enjoyed the day.  It was made more special by having family here, and my favorite part of it was having N by my side throughout it all: cooking, unwrapping, preparing, cleaning, visiting, and making this special for H's first Christmas (which he won't remember...).
Santa was good to all of us this year.  Some of my favorite gifts:  gift cards for clothes, shoes, two books - One Yard Wonders and The Big A** Book of Crafts. 

But I know that you really want to see pictures of H, not hear me go on about my thoughts....

He really liked the feel of a lemon from my parents back-yard!

Sweet.

The real present under the tree.

My favorite of H's gifts - a train set from this etsy shop.  So cute, and very well made!

He is loving rolling them back and forth.  

Reading the note from AK -

she made him a great re-purposed cigar box for treasures.

 

Daddy playing with H and his new tool set from this etsy shop.

I am loving the natural toys!

GrandMissy playing with H.  Uncle Duane and Aunt Rebekah on the couch.

H is his Daddy's son!  I always am watching and expecting him to get overwhelmed and overstimulated when there are a lot of people around and a lot going on.  But, like N, that is when he turns on and shines!  He just loves to make people smile, and happily goes from person to person and toy to toy!

Leonard got a gift too!

Some cat-nip filled fish made by SweetHart, and a necktie from GrandMissy.

Another fun thing we did today was open H's gift from SweetHart and PopHart while talking to them on the webcam.  Technology is wonderful!  It was great for them to be able to see them open his Little People Farm set while being many miles away!

We finished the day by heading to Nanny's house.

He loved seeing even more family, and my cousin Challie who H is smitten with!  Every time he sees her, he gets very coy and flirty!

Playing with the cutest gator named "Cordy Roy."  

I really want it for myself, but N says I can't keep it....

It is soooo cute though!

The gator also goes perfectly with the book Uncle Bryan and Aunt Sheri gave H:  The Cajun Night Before Christmas.  I highly recommend it if you live in the south or are interested in Cajun culture, or if you just want a fun spin on a well known story!

All in all, we had a wonderful Christmas, and a wonderful first Christmas for H!  All of us were pooped by the end of the day, but it was worth it!

"'Twas the night before Christmas

An' all t'ru de house

Dey don't a t'ing pass

Not even a mouse.

De chirren been nezzle

good snug on de flo'

an' Mama pass de pepper

t'ru de crack on de do'."

....

Merry Christmas to all

'Til I saw you some mo'!"

How we've been preparing for Christmas

We have been hiding from Santa...

 ....just in case he thinks we've been naughty....

Is learning to make faces naughty?

 If it makes your mama laugh?

 

Is reading books naughty?

 

While sitting in the book basket?

Is playing the piano naughty?

 

If you make pretty music?

There is no way this little one could be naughty!!!

 

 Merry Christmas!

Here is the nativity that I made this year.  I haven't been able to find a nativity that I liked - either too gaudy, or too expensive.  I saw one like this in an Etsy shop, and decided to give it a try.  It is made out of wool using the needle felting process.  It was a pleasure to make, and I am very pleased with the way it turned out!  Now they sit on our mantel on a needle felted leaf, and I think that they will stay well past the holiday season!

The whole group:

 

Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus

The wise men 

 

Two shepherds and an angel

 

May you be reminded of the precious moments that this scene depicts this Christmas...