A Special Gift

Tyler helped me make a number of photo gifts this year.  We made a calendar for his Mummi, and a photo collage of Tyler & his cousins Ben & Julia for Uncle Steven.  We also framed a special picture for my parents with one of our favorite phrases, "I love you to the moon and the stars and back again."  I would say to Tyler, "I love you to the moon and the..." and he would say, "...stars.  Gaga says that."  :-)  I think we all say that phrase on a daily basis.  :-)  Tyler and I took a special trip to Michaels one day to get materials to put the phrase on a t-shirt.  He was very good during his photo shoot (it wasn't easy to get a picture of him where you could see the entire phrase!!) and my parents loved the gift!  :-) 

Christmas Day, Part 2

In the afternoon, Tyler, Dan, and I went to Dan's mom's house, where we were spoiled with gifts and we enjoyed a delicious dinner.  We had a wonderful time celebrating Christmas together!!  Tyler loves all of his gifts so much, especially the leap pad and a set of mustangs.  He also got a forklift and a new golf cart from Aunt Caroline, Uncle Brian, & Baby Liam.  They weren't able to come to Virginia for Christmas this year but we were able to skype with them, which was very fun!   Liam is so, so cute!!  They gave me a book that I absolutely love! 

Dan, Tyler, and I were loved on and spoiled all day long.  It was a wonderful Christmas! 

Christmas Day, Part 1

 

My first Christmas, when I was seven months old, my parents, my brother Shane, and I lived in a townhouse.  Then, when I was one, my parents moved to the house where they still live today.  So from the time I was one, until I was 32, I woke up in that very same house every single Christmas morning!  It definitely felt a little funny this year waking up in my house, but we knew that Tyler was at a good age to start Christmas traditions at home.  Dan, Tyler, and I went downstairs at about 6:45 (Tyler woke up earlier than he ever has in his life...he must've sensed the excitement!) and Tyler saw his presents.  He seemed a bit confused at first!  He saw the adorable little desk that my friend Liz gave to him, and he opened up his "Mr. Damian truck" and the Scooby Doo characters that went with it.  He didn't seem too excited about the pajamas he opened, or the Corduroy book with a matching bear (although we have read the book a few times this week!).  :-)

My parents and my brother Steven arrived later that morning and we had so much fun opening our gifts and giving them theirs!  Tyler especially loved the helicopter, fireman dress up kit, and the parking garage!!  We had a wonderful time with them.  :-) 

Counting Down to Christmas!

 

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was wonderful!  Dan, Tyler, and I went to my parents' house for dinner, along with my younger brother, Steven, and Dan's mom.  We had a delicious meal and Tyler enjoyed playing with his new gift!  For the first time, we left cookies and milk out for Santa.  Tyler decided that he wanted to eat the hershey kisses that were in the cookies.  He said, "Santa can have the rest."  He is so funny!  Tyler is officially 2 and 3/4!  The first year of his life, I took a picture of him with his big care bear every month.  Once he turned one, I took a picture every three months.  He did a great job this time posing with his care bear!  My favorite picture from my pregnancy was one that Dan took of me on Christmas Eve in 2010.  Dan has taken a picture of me holding Tyler in the same spot (wearing the same scarf!) four Christmas Eves in a row.  :-)  I am definitely a big fan of comparison photos!!  :-)