Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Let’s be JOLLY!

I can’t believe that Christmas has come and gone, once again.

Somehow, it amazes me how quickly it passes- especially when the festivities last for several days.  We had so much fun (despite the fact that here, in the middle of Ski Country, USA, we had 40-degree weather; I think we were, quite possibly, the only place in the continental US without snow.  This is so, SO weird…)- Christmas Eve service with Luke’s family, Christmas breakfast, presents, and dinner with my family, day after Christmas with Luke’s WHOLE family (and believe me, that’s saying A LOT), and Luke’s birthday yesterday (yes, I blame his parents every. year.  Whoever has kids two days after Christmas should have their heads examined.  Did I mention his sister’s birthday is tomorrow???  Hopefully the in-laws know I’m joking- love you guys!).

I love Christmas time- mostly because it’s time that we all just get to BE.  Be together, be ourselves, be relaxed (except for maybe my mom who had to cook…).  And I absolutely loved getting to watch Piper this year- Christmas is going to become exponentially more fun watching the excitement through kiddie eyes.  She enjoyed the paper and ribbons, yes- but she also caught on pretty quickly that there were things UNDER the paper.  She’d find something she really liked, and play with it for a while.  A few times, I had to direct her back to opening presents, because her pile was getting a little out of control (yes, the kid made out.  Like a bandit.  Or a couple of bandits- I’m not quite sure which…).  She refused to take a nap that day (much to MY demise) and fell asleep on the way home at 5:15.  She slept until 8:45.  AM.  Yup- the excitement WORE HER OUT.

We had dinner at Luke’s parents’ house on Sunday where we got to see a lot of the family we haven’t seen for a while.  And even a few who hadn’t met Piper yet, so it was extra fun.  Thankfully (??) Piper remembered how to open presents, so it was old-hat by then.  She knew darn-good-and-well what she was doing, thankyouverymuch. 

And now, a random conglomerate of pictures for the weekend.

P1090200Playing before church on Friday.  There was a crowd, so she chose the moment to show off her walking/running skills.

Christmas Day:

DSCN0128Nana decided that Piper needed to try on the reindeer “hat” (Piper’s been very into “hats” lately).  She was excited at first, and then wasn’t so sure.  But we could distract her long enough for a few quick pictures.

DSCN0141

DSCN0152Piper got a trike!  And she’s so so close to being able to touch the floor.  She figured out that she could offset herself on the seat to once side or the other to be able to touch to floor enough to push- I think that with a few weeks (and maybe a liiiittle bit of upward growth), she’ll have this thing down PAT!  SO cute!

DSCN0156She also got a Piper-sized kitchen (she’s not really tall enough to play at the toddler ones, lol) which she’s LOVING.  In fact, yesterday while we cooked dinner, she “cooked” on her own stove.  It came complete with some of my utensils (and apron) from the kitchen I had as a kid.

DSCN0160I just happened to get this picture, but this is how she greeted anything she was big enough to stand up to.  She analyzed the pictures very closely, like she was figuring out what she was supposed to do with it.  And if it had a picture of a baby on it, it was extra fun to look at.

…apparently carbo-loading on wrapping paper was an occasional necessity.

DSCN0164Woohoo!  I LOVE these things!

DSCN0212Every once in a while, I notice my mom doing things with Piper that I know, I KNOW, we NEVER would have gotten away with.  Ya know, things like crawling across the dinner table.  At least all the dishes were picked up.  (I’d put money on this being the only Christmas in Piper’s LIFE that’ll be warm enough to allow for shirtless eating at Christmas dinner.  I’m telling you- this weather is WEIRD).

DSCN0211She decided that our drinks looked pretty tasty, and she convinced her great grandma to help her out.  She was pushing her face on the glass so hard that she had a red smile for a long time after this.  So funny!

Unfortunately, I was too busy talking and I didn’t know where my camera was for a lot of Sunday, so I don’t have tons of pictures.  But…

DSCN0233Piper was very impressed with the football game on TV.  Which is weird, because neither Luke nor I are particularly big football fans.  Maybe it skips a generation (or two)??  This also made me glad that our television is significantly higher off the floor than this.  We may never get her unglued otherwise!

DSCN0227She, apparently, had some scintillating conversations with the nutcrackers.

DSCN0234And any day is more fun when you get to play with your socks AND a plastic spoon.  The kid got 843,176 toys for Christmas, and this is what she chooses to play with.  Go figure.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and could enjoy it as much as we did.  I’m always a little sad when Christmas is over, but now we get to look forward to Christmas next year with TWO little girls!

3 comments:

  1. What an adorable post! I love all the pictures, Piper looks so excited about all her gifts. And I know exactly what you mean about Grandparents, they definitely let their grand-kids get away with A LOT! Glad you had such a great Christmas!

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  2. She and Alayna would have a hayday with boxes, spoons and socks LOL. Still cracking up to see that little squirt walking!

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  3. Looks like you had a great holiday. I had to chuckle when I saw that Piper wore the same reindeer PJ's that my son worse this year, complete with antlers. (A gift from my mom) :) Have a Happy New Year!

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