...is my two front TEETH! Yes, those stubborn little teeth finally made their appearance right around Christmas day. He has been working on those for months now, so we were all very relieved!
Also making their appearance right around Christmas was our FAMILY! Mom, Dad, Rachel, and Paul were all able to come and spend two weeks with us over Christmas and New Year's! Greatly missed were Jon & Al (Afghanistan & Kuwait), Elder Chris Gibbs (Argentina), and the entire Walker Family (Utah). Maybe next year!?!
Week Before Christmas:
Sam and Austin were in heaven with all the love and attention from the fam. Sam especially loved Uncle Paul and his "game" (Nintendo DS). He would beg Paul at all times of the day to play the airplane game.
Ryan, Smoke-Master. Mmm...baby-back ribs.
Haha, sorry Rae & Paul, but I had to post this. How many electronics can you count?
Christmas Eve:
Mom fixed us an AMAZING dinner with all my favorites :). Later, Ryan prepared a wonderful Christmas message based on an article by Elder Nelson in the December 2011 Ensign. Finally, we opened our Christmas PJs from Mom & Dad Walker. (See below video) Note to self: The term "present" to a 3 yr old = Toys. Don't call the Christmas Eve PJ's a "present". Also don't load said 3 yr old up with candy/chocolate. You are asking for a meltdown. PS, these are now his most favorite pajamas.
Christmas Day:
It's hard to say who was more excited for Christmas morning...Sam or his Uncle Paul :) Bright and Early, we all stumbled downstairs to open presents. Santa sure had fun at our house! I've never seen so many gifts under a tree! Here are some scenes from our house that day:
Santa brought the much-wanted Dump Truck for Sam and a matching Firetruck for Austin. Hooray!
Sorry again Rae & Paul, but this picture cracks me up every time I look at it. Please don't hate me :)
Santa ate the cookies and drank the milk we left for him!
Love this picture.
Still not sure who loves the basketball hoop Santa brought more: Sam or Ryan?
After presents & breakfast, we got to talk to Elder Chris in Argentina! Allison was in Kuwait, so we had everyone on speaker phone together. Ahh, I love technology!
Then we went to church for a Christmas-themed Sacrament Meeting. Afterwards, Austin ate (again). Grandpa quickly became Austin's favorite because he was always feeding him.
After Christmas:
After Christmas was over, we mostly just hung out. Rachel and Paul worked on getting their drivers licenses (!), went hot-tubbing,
Wrestled with Paul,
Tried to keep Austin dressed,
And enjoyed being together :) This is how I found Austin one day. Just chillin' with Aunt Rae.
Another day, Mom & I took the kids to the downtown Vancouver Library. They have an awesome children's section with fun things to do and discover. Best of all, its FREE!
Remember last post when I told Sam that Santa doesn't bring "shooters"? (Insert the "you'll shoot your eye out" quote here.) Well, if you can't get one from Santa, the next best thing is to build one. Thanks Uncle Paul :)
Finally, what visit from Grandpa Earl is complete without a few airplane rides? Sam loved every minute of it!
Phew! That was a lot of pictures. We had lots of fun with my family and missed everyone who was elsewhere for the Christmas season. Merry Christmas and Happy 2012!
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