Christmas 2013

2 years, 3 months old

I'm obviously late wrapping this up but I want to make sure I write a little something about our holiday season, Barrett's third. I really didn't get out my camera much as you'll see. I did get a ton of video though.

We were able to spread out our celebrating quite a bit this year because of Christmas being in the middle of the week. Our first party was on the Saturday before Christmas over at the Maschings with friends and kids. It's our second annual and crazy to compare the kids with just a years difference. They certainly make us work for their picture. Next year, there will be another little one to add to the group (not from me!)







The next day, on Sunday, we had our party with the Gschwendtners (my moms family). It's really the only day of the year that all my aunts, uncles and cousins are together. We see everyone numerous times but there are always someone missing. I think it was after this that B was kind of over the whole present opening thing. I thought for sure he would love it this year but he really just wanted to go play. I think it would have been much better if the toys were actually opened but half the time, he didn't really "get" what it was that he was opening.



It was a really late night but we had to leave to head home from Pontiac because Joe and I had to work the next day. Such a buzzkill and reason #50684038 living away from family is for the birds.

Christmas Eve morning was when we decided to celebrate with the 3 of us and do Santa. I had the day off and Joe only had about an hour of work to do from home. Barrett's favorite thing was probably the balloons which didn't surprise me. It's an automatic toy! We've gotten good use out of his little table as it was just after Christmas that B started refusing to use his booster seat. He's been eating a number of meals at the table along with doing art. We packed up shortly before lunch to head back to Pontiac (yes, we were home for like 36 hours) in the hopes that B would take his nap on the drive. He used to always sleep in the car but that has gone by the wayside. He ended up not napping and didn't go down when we got to Grandma and Grandpa's either. We had a nice chill afternoon at the house and then did a big dinner and gifts with my siblings and parents. I think I opened most of Barrett's gifts because he was more interested in climbing on everyone's boxes. I'm pretty sure it was the same thing last year. :)





The big winners from Grandpa and Grandma was his bike and helmet. Aunt Rachel and Uncle Andy got him some new shades and the combo was funny.



Christmas morning we headed over to Grandma Rita's like always for a big breakfast and some time with Uncle Nate, Kristi and Uncle Travis. He got a play grill, some trucks, a motorcycle and a new wagon! It was a nice chill day which is great since we could easily be shuffling from house to house. That night we get together with the big Gschwendtner family with my Grandpa, his siblings and all the kids and grandkids and great grandkids. I think it was the 89th annual. We always get together at the parish hall at St Mary's and we have access to the basketball courts which is great for the kids. Barrett was loving it. I just let him run off on his own while we stayed in the hall and visited. It is so nice when they can do this on their own, plus the Dewald kids were perfect little babysitters!



Once again, we had to wrap that up and drive back home as we had to work the next day (another 36 hour trip!)

We had a family Christmas then on Sunday with Joe's dad, grandma and aunt and uncle (Yes, we were back in Pontiac again.) It was a chill afternoon since we just ordered pizza. Barrett got a new trampoline which was a big hit. He loved putting on a show. I didn't take any pictures (story of the holiday) but stole these from Joe's aunt who took a bunch.





Our last family Christmas was the following Sunday with Grandma Rita and all the Hendren's. Barrett LOVES playing with his cousins. Again, he's at the age where we can just let him do his thing and run around. There was a gross storm this day so we hurried through everything and we're only there about 2 hours. Of course, we were supposed to drive back home but the weather stranded us in town.

It certainly wasn't a boring holiday season but it wasn't all that crazy either. We were able to visit with all of our families which only happens about once a year. We are lucky that we have so many awesome people to celebrate with. Big families rule!