41 Weeks

Jingle Rails

The Eiteljorg Museum had a special exhibit around Christmas of an amazing train setup. We went with both sets of grandparents. Brendan had a great time looking at all the trains. My pictures do not do it justice. If you or someone in your family likes trains/model trains. You really should check it out next Christmas.
Katelyn was pretty amazed too!

Christmas Dinner

After going back home for some naps, we headed back to Mamaw & GrandBob's house for more good food and a few more presents.

Katelyn wasn't sure about the elf that Mamaw had out. After this morning, Brendan was "into" opening presents.

A happy baby on her first Christmas
Katelyn in her Santa hat that was Brendan's. It says "Baby's First Christmas"

Christmas Morning at Mamaw & GrandBob's

After opening presents, we loaded up and went to Mamaw & GrandBob's house for brunch with them plus Uncle Robbie, Aunt Jenny & Baby Bobby.

Katelyn was in a hurry to get to more gifts! ;) Ok, well, not so much the presents, but the bows...
Baby Bobby's First Christmas!
More bows... :)
Brendan opening his stocking...guess what he's examining? A train book! What else?!

Only thing better than bows...tissue paper!


Brendan "helping" Uncle Robbie unwrap his presents.
Uncle Rob & Aunt Jenny gave Brendan Thomas the train books!
Uncle Robbie being "excited" for Baby Bobby, since he wasn't so into his first Christmas. :)
Brendan has really gotten into puzzles since our Florida trip. Mamaw & GrandBob got him a neat set of four puzzles - firetruck, school bus, engine, & race car.
"Walking" with GrandBob
Grampy & Brendan working on his new puzzles

Daddy putting together Katelyn's new walking toy for Mamaw & GrandBob's house. He was lucky this year...minimal adult assembly required.

Christmas Morning

Santa brought Brendan tons of Thomas the Tank Engine stuff...he was in 7th Heaven! He got the Take n Play Sodor Rock Quarry, James & Henry engines, a Thomas ball, a Thomas back pack, new markers, crayons, stickers, a color booking, a train mug and a Thomas DVD. He should be set for awhile!

Santa brought Katelyn a music play table, a shape sorter, some Roll-a-Rounds, a phone, a Butterfly mug, some new hair bows, a bug twisty toy, a pink/purple bug that plays music for her crib, and a rattle ball.

Mommy & Daddy also them a few things...both got some new PJs - Thomas of course for Brendan and bug ones for Katelyn. They both also got some books. Brendan got Annie & Clarabel - the passenger coaches that Thomas pulls, as well as some Duplo blocks and a Clifford the Big Red Dog puzzle. Katelyn got a little musical pony toy with stacking blocks. Katelyn also got a purple doll and rocking chair for her room.

Bisia & Grampy also got the kids plenty of gifts - an awesome tool bench for Brendan and a little stroller with baby doll for Katelyn. Katelyn took right to walking/pushing the stroller and even stood briefly on her own!

They must've been good this year...

because Santa came by and left a bunch of presents for Brendan & Katelyn!

Merry Christmas!

Leaving food for Santa's Reindeer

Miss Jenny, Brendan's teacher at school (daycare) sent all the kids home with a bag of food to put out for the reindeer.
There was a tag attached to the bags that read...

Sprinkle on the lawn at night.
The moon will make it sparkle bright.
As Santa's reindeer fly and roam,
This will guide them to my home!

So when we got home from our Christmas Eve party, Bisia & Grampy helped Brendan sprinkle the reindeer food outside. Brendan decided that it should go on the driveway instead of the snow/grass. We figured that it would be easier for them to find on the cleared off driveway rather than sinking down into the snow. ;)

I just love the expressions on Brendan's face in these first three! He's really having a ball!