Merry Christmas to all...

This year's Christmas was so much fun with Andrea around and I can't wait for each Christmas as she grows! At least she is at an age where she can still get excited even if she doesn't understand all that is going on. We still waited to put our presents under the tree until Christmas eve, simply because we were worried she would open any present she found. It was fun playing Santa though, since we usually just throw presents under the tree as soon as they are wrapped. Christmas Eve also included our traditional PJs, which Ryan and I have always done anyway.


Christmas morning we started a fire and began opening the gifts. Andrea's stocking was full of baby treats and some new binkys while Ryan's had the traditional chocolate orange and Bob & Tom CD as well as other goodies and Jazz tickets. My stocking was stuffed with goodies that I probably shouldn't eat, and some pearl earrings from my favorite jewelry store, Shane Co. Let's not forget Tessy who, even though the Dr. told us not to, got her own special treat from Santa in her stocking.

Andrea really never got the hang of unwrapping the gifts, which shocked us all, but she was sure excited once the gift was open. She received some necessities, as well as a book, a bath toy, and a music table from Santa. Ryan spoiled me, as usual, with a DVD player for upstairs, a vest, levis, and DVDs. He received a new GPS, CDs, a Wii game, and a indoor/outdoor temperature gage thingy.

My favorite part about Christmas is that we live in the same city as both parents so it becomes a full day of celebrating. The Lees were so excited to spoil their newest grandchild and Andrea received a riding princess car as well as a rocking pony that sings and talks. She has got the rocking pony down pretty well these days and I know that in no time she will have fun driving that car around! Ryan and I were also spoiled, getting a lot of things which Linda considered "boring" but were very very much appreciated!

We discovered as we unwrapped the gifts at my parents that they had been very busy! Andrea received an adorable bank styled like an old money truck made by Grandpa Jim that was even personalized, it is being proudly displayed on the shelf in her room and will be filled in no time. Ryan and I received a beautiful Afghan which must have taken my mom more hours than I would ever have patience for. I've already used it and it definitely fulfills it's purpose.
Here are a few pictures of Andrea and her cousins, Brigitta and Roland. It's always fun to see them interact!

So as you can see this was a wonderful Christmas for us, and I think Andrea would agree that her first one was definitely memorable!

Ho Ho Ho

Well it was that time I'd been waiting for all season long. Time for Andrea to meet Santa! Each year the Army Depot holds a meet and greet with Santa that includes a lot of great giveaways. I had heard other employees talk about taking their kids or grandkids in the past so I was excited to go this year. I was a little worried about Andrea's reaction, but she did very well. She seemed very interested in Santa and Mrs. Clause (what is her first name anyway?) and was in no hurry to come back to Mama. With the weather being unpredictable lately I was worried that Ryan may not be able to come with us and miss out on her first Santa visit. But luckily the snow stayed away ,and he was there. I wanted to take a picture to prove that Daddy always likes to be a part of things. Not only did Andrea get the creepy stuffed Santa you see in the photo, she also received a bag full of toys and goodies. Plus Ryan and I grabbed some cookies before we left. So I would say it was a pretty successful milestone!

On another note, I've decided to quit my job (again). I finally decided that I have been selfish in my desire to work. Home is where I need to be. I really do love my job and co-workers, but things at the credit union will be changing anyway, so I figured it was a good time to break away. In a way I feel like I am giving up my last bit of independence, but I guess that is what motherhood is all about. However, I am looking forward to getting a set schedule going with Andrea and I think after a while I'll get used to this staying at home full time thing.