Christmas Eve 2008

We spent Christmas Eve day 2008 with family. In the morning, our favorite photographer Kevin came by to take pictures (those will be in another post) and after that we enjoyed a big feast, as one should on such an important day.

Trying on picture-day outfits before the big event. Liam, as always, found a pair of shoes to obsess over.


Aww! The boys in matching vests, courtesy of GM's knitting skills.


Darn it, Graham lost his neck again!


The Tree, the loot, the stockings (again, thanks to GM's mad knit skillz)


Aunt Leesa getting down & dirty with the boys in the playroom while Aunt Jill helps Abby ride the horsie


Aunt Leesa getting smothered in boy love


Does it get any better than this?


Pajama train! Only missing member is Graham, who was sleeping.


Eric enthusiastically hugging a not-so-sure Liam while mellow Evan looks on


Liam enjoying a spin in Grandma Roo's heels


My lovely husband carving the pork roast


Grandma Roo with the giant baby, Jill enjoying some chocolate log, and Bruno playing with puppets


Aunt Pickle helping big head baby check out the scene


Liam eating cake. Not sure how many slices he had, but who's counting?

Early Christmas 2008 with Grandpa and Vivian

Here are some pictures from our early Christmas celebration with Grandpa and Vivian.

Liam, Grandpa, and Graham


It is impossible to get everyone looking *normal* in a picture with kids!


Books! Yay! Thanks Grandpa!


Liam eating one of 400 cookies he had that night - they are a special tradition, something Niki and I enjoyed as girls. I'm sure if you go back to last Christmas you can see Liam eating them last year, too. We are too proud to show pictures of us adults snarfing down cookies while covered in powdered sugar!


A very rare family shot, with everyone clean and dressed. Wow!


One more, just cuz


Liam is now permanently attached to Niki's boyfriend Bill, having swallowed his toddler-bait necklace.


Grandpa and Graham watching the tickle fun going on next door


Vivian and no-neck Graham


Vivian, Graham, and Grandpa. How cute!


Graham keeping Vivian amused

Annual Christmas Tree Hunt

We went with Sean, Cheryl and their kids to the local Christmas tree farm to pick and cut down our tree. Liam really enjoyed it, and Graham snoozed in the Baby Bjorn the whole time.

Liam reluctantly posing with Mom and sleeping Graham


Who's the mystery man in the shades and yellow hat?


Looking for the perfect tree with Daddy


Walking with Daddy to get some hot cider

Chocolate covered cuteness

Dad and Niki (Aunt Pickle) came over for dinner - we had a great time, and as you can see so did Liam! Also, Liam had a new haircut on Saturday, right before we met up with Adam's family for dinner at the Japanese Steakhouse (I have one picture that I need to scan in - it was a blast!) Many thanks to Aunt Pickle for taking these great pics!

Check out Liam's new 'do! Yes, I put some gel in his hair!


Hey YOU! Bring me all your chocolate!


No Grandpa, I will not share!


Nothing like a sugar high to make a toddler happy!


Mmmmmmm.... chocolate.........


Grandpa protecting his shirt from the carnage


Whoa! What's that on my face?!


I just don't know how it happened!


Grandpa drew the short straw and had to do cleanup duty...


Fun!


Ohhh... presents! Grandpa and Aunt Pickle were nice enough to bring Liam birthday gifts... this has been the most drawn-out 2 year old birthday yet! Hmm, I hope he doesn't expect this every year!


Daddy and Grandpa helping Liam read a new book... note how Grandpa is expertly holding Graham with one arm!


Grandpa and Liam reading


CAKE! Liam has been bugging me for cake, and I felt guilty because I didn't make him one, so I make him a few cupcakes... nothing nearly as extravagant as last year!


Liam blew out both candles all by himself - it was so cute!


Retiring to the playroom for a cuddle after dinner


Here's tired old Mom

BONUS PIC.... Graham has been smiling, laughing, and cooing a lot lately... it is so adorable! Unfortunately this isn't a great picture but at least you can see him laughing and go "awww...."!

Liam's new pea coat

Liam picked this coat out in Baltimore... its a navy blue pea coat from Gap Kids. We left his coat at home (oops!) and needed a new one as it was in the 30's... he picked this one all by himself!

Do you like the smile? Adam told him to show his teeth when he smiled! Those boots are new, too... he picked those as well :)

Happy Birthday Liam!

On Liam's birthday we took him to the Baltimore Aquarium... he loved it! He just learned the sign for "fish" and was very excited to see all the fish. Surprisingly, the aquarium also has quite a few birds which he also enjoyed.

Showing Mommy and Graham the fish


Look Daddy, fishies!


Playing with a turtle


The turtle kept coming back for more!


Clapping during the dolphin show


This was probably his favorite exhibit... giant bubble tubes. What toddler can resist giant bubble tubes??


He didn't want to leave and threw an absolute fit when we finally had to walk away


A family pose in the giant shark jaws


Liam has learned to unwrap presents, which he did with gusto


Ohhh... what's this?


Look at his face... he was so happy... ohhhh, it's Snuggle Puppy!


Ohhhh... another Boynton book... this time its One, Two, Three!


Look at this dinosaur puzzle from GM!


Happy birthday sweet boy! I can't believe you are TWO!