the snow globe, very extended version

It's been over a week since we returned from New Mexico, but we had so much fun that I've been trying to compose my thoughts before I sat down to write this. We left right after Luke's morning feeding on Friday morning, the day after Christmas. The car ride went really smoothly and we didn't hit any major traffic or accidents along the way. We did pass through a pretty solid storm in Tucson which proceeded to follow us the remainder of the way to Silver. About a half hour from my parents, we had to stop and feed Luke again. Poor kid was really hungry, but he was so preoccupied watching everything at the truck stop around us that he really didn't eat well. I'm also guessing that his lack of appetite might have been from being in a reclined position his car seat while eating. I've never been a big fan of eating while laying down (who is really?); maybe he isn't either.

Happy guy on his way to Grandma and Pop's!

After we finished at the rest stop, we made our way up the 5 mile dirt road to my parents. It began snowing and didn't finish snowing until about 8 hours later. After we got settled in at the house, we started in on opening gifts and eating an early dinner because Beth had to make it to work that night. It ended up that she was able to get off early (yay!) because of the snow which began creating ice on the roads.

The boys with Aunt Beth/Mom

The Wrights and the Waltemeyers

Luke, true to form, attacked the paper and thoroughly enjoyed himself.

Randy with his Price is Right game and the very popular tin of popcorn.

Pop and Grandma with Killian and Luke. Luke kept saying buh-buh (bye-bye) to the camera. I think he was ready to be done with pictures.

I was super excited to get Luke in the snow the next morning. For some reason, I was convinced that as soon as the sun rose the next morning, the snow would vanish within minutes. Apparently all the time I spent in the snow at NAU had somehow been forgotten because there was still snow and ice on the roads when we left Sunday afternoon. Anyways, at 7:30 in the morning, when it was only about 20ish degrees outside, I made us go out and take pictures. It was one of my crazy mom picture-obsessed moments. Luke wore warm-up pants, jeans, a t-shirt, sweathshirt, heavy jacket, mittens, beanie hat, socks, and his monkey shoes. Poor kid could hardly move but as soon as we put him in the snow, he figured it out. He was mesmerized by the snow. He kept trying to move it and push it around trying to figure out what all the sparkly white stuff was. We could hardly even get him to look up to take some pictures.

After we finished with taking pictures, the boys decided it would be a great idea to sled down the driveway. The only issue we had is that they didn't own a sled, or even one of those dish things, so being the crafty boys that they are, the improvised. Here is what we used instead:

Its an old dish so it wasn't being used anymore. We each fit perfectly on it and had a great time. I, of course, was way too scared to go down the hill any other way than sitting on it. Keith and Randy were much more adventurous.

And this is what our car looked like the next morning. Andrea already asked if we used a plate to dig it out like we did at NAU, but I was too freakin' cold at this point so I was in the house when they got the snow off. I have no idea what they used.

We spent the rest of the day lounging around the house playing board games and watching football. Killian and Luke were able to spend a lot of time together eating, playing with Pop, and (true to form) having their picture taken.

Please take note of the binky situation in the pictures. It is Killian's bink, but at one point, Luke grabbed it and stuck it in his mouth in one swift motion before anyone could catch him. Sneaky kid that one.

Hands and knees together!

Okay, they are 7 and 8.5 months old. I knew their moods wouldn't last. Here are the outtakes:

And in the midst of all the baby picture madness, here is how we found my dad taking a nap behind us:

We had to get on the road again on Sunday to make it home before Keith had to work the next day. The drive isn't a very exciting one; actually, it isn't one bit exciting. This is what you see the entire drive:

Thrilling. I love going to visit my family and it's always super hard to leave. I miss them already and can't wait until they come down in January! I'll end this post with a little gem I caught on tape at the rest stop on our way out of town.

bath video, updated

This one is for Traci. She mentioned to me on New Year's that she enjoyed the bath video of Luke I posted previously; well here is the updated version. He is now sitting up in the tub which makes for a new method of splashing. He is so concentrated on splashing hard. It looks like its such hard work for him until he looks up beaming at us. I almost think he's proud of himself. Good job buddy!

christmas

Luke had a very busy first Christmas. As always, we have four Christmases to make it to each year (yes, just like the movie), but we thoroughly enjoy seeing everyone of our family members. This year I'm fairly certain every one enjoyed seeing Luke and that Keith and I were viewed as added bonuses, along with being his chauffeurs. At this point, we're used to that reaction and have started to expect people coming up to us 10 minutes after arrival saying something like, "Oh yeah...Merry Christmas to you too!" Totally fine with that; I'd probably do the same thing if I were in their shoes. He is an incredibly handsome kid if I do say so myself.

We started off Christmas Eve at my grandparent's house for our traditional Christmas Eve dinner. They are amazing cooks and I love eating all the food they make. It just wouldn't seem like Christmas without making a stop there. After dinner, we headed over to Keith's aunt and uncles house for the Waltemeyer's Christmas party. Luke had a great time playing and following all the kids around. He is just so enthralled by other kids. I think he started the gift opening a little early though. He saw the presents laying on the floor and continuously made a beeline for them. Eventually we gave up trying to stop him and all the kids were able to dig in and rip open their gifts.

I love watching kids open their gifts at Christmas. Typically they have one of two reactions that I seen in my time being a kid and observing them. In one instance, they have this magical look on their faces that can just light up a room. You can tell they have nothing better in the world than what is in their hands at that moment and they are completely thankful for all the times they really tried to be good over the course of the year. In the other instance, they either have no clue what they just opened or have no desire to go near the gift at any point in the future. The pasted-on grateful look is humorous to see. We were able to witness many of both types of reactions over the course of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Every Christmas morning since I was little, I've always been with my family Christmas morning, very early Christmas morning, opening gifts and then my mom makes a big breakfast. Keith was even nice enough to continue this tradition with us when we got married. We'd trek to my parents very early in the morning, still in our pajamas, usually with Rosco in tow. It was really hard this year not having them here, but I modified the tradition to work for us. Very early in the morning, though not nearly as early as usual, Jeanne, Don, Holly, and Corey came to our house to open gifts with Luke and then we made a big breakfast. We were still surrounded by family; I couldn't imagine a better way to celebrate a day that is based upon the creation and addition of new life to a family.

Luke's ready!

Luke helping Dad open the drum.

Jammies from Nonna!

Monkey backpack from Corey and Holly.

Can I open it Dad? Luke loves Christmas...and the monkey backpack!

Off to open Aunt Holly's gifts too.
Luke will learn to love baseball.
An overwhelming amount of toys to Mom and Dad.

The Finleys.

We caught Corey having fun with Luke's toys. We'll get you the drum set next year Corey.

Us. H and J.

The breakfast spread.

After breakfast, we headed out to Mass and then to my Aunt Terri and Uncle Tim's to celebrate with my dad's side of the family. No matter where we celebrate Christmas with the Feidler's, it feels like going home. There is always a huge crowd of people, lots of talking, food, and fun. I even found the pickle that was hidden in the Christmas tree and won $2 from the scratcher I was awarded. Thanks Aunt Terri!

We finished the day with an amazing dinner hosted by Jeannie at her house. She always knows how to throw a dinner party. The table was decorated beautifully and the food was absolutely delicious. She made this twice-baked potato casserole that melted in my mouth (thank you Paula Deen--said in my best southern accent). I think that should definitely become a yearly staple at Christmas dinner.

Holly and Luke. Somehow Luke's head looks almost as big as Holly's. Hmm.

By this point, Luke was clearly worn out so we took him home. It was time to pack for New Mexico...

stef and the blog...and a little new years too

This one's for you Stef...Thanks for the pictures!

Keith and I started off New Year's by going to dinner at Joe's Farm Grill. This is seriously one of the best places ever to eat. Mmmm...I'm hungry just thinking about it. If you ever have the opportunity to go, I had the BBQ Pork sandwich and that is my new favorite thing there. Try it!

From there we went and saw Marley and Me. Such a good movie that puts life and the things and people around you in perspective. I've gained a renewed appreciation for Rosco. I think one of my resolutions for this year is to spend more quality time with him. He has been kind of neglected the past few months; it's easy to put him on the back-burner when I'm completely overwhelmed with Luke, the house, the husband, life... I need to change that.

Our last stop for the evening was Andrew's for his New Year's party. There were a lot of pharmacy people there that I didn't know that I had a good time learning more about, but some extremely fabulous girls (and Thomas) from NAU were there as well! I love these girls (and Thomas) and I miss seeing them.  

The Ho and Walt x 2

The Glorious Miss Stefanie Mathis

Trace, Me, Andi, Heath, and Stef

Stef's pomegranate something-or-other was tasty!

seibolt's christmas

We were invited to go to dinner at the Seibolt's the Sunday before Christmas. We love going there and spending time with them. They are such wonderful and kind people; the exact kind of people we would love Luke to learn from. Gail and Tom have raised two very amazing kids (if I say so myself-which I do) and I can only hope I do half as good a job.

Anywho-dinner was scrumptious as usual and we opened gifts after dinner. As I mentioned in an earlier post, Luke absolutely loves ripping open wrapping paper and attacking the bows and packages. Andi and Big Luke got Luke the Noah's Ark Little People set. They also started/continued a very neat tradition with him. For each of their first Christmases, Andi and Big Luke got the beginning of a Nativity scene and still receive a new piece each year to add to the collection. They started the same tradition with Baby Luke. I love this idea and I think its

really special that he'll have a special tradition like this with his godparents.

At some point in the evening, I looked over and Big Tom was holding Luke. Tom has been very adamant since the beginning that he wasn't going to hold Luke until he could reach the light switches. Maybe he gave in because its Christmas or maybe because he finally figured out how ginormous Luke is getting, either way, I had to capture it on film.

scooter

It's been awhile since Luke began scooting and I finally got around to taking a video of it. *I* think he's pretty dang cute and adorably funny, but you may not feel the same way. Enjoy if you wish!

Coming...

...and going.

the snow globe called new mexico

Just wanted to post a few quick pictures of the snow we took this morning. Hope everyone had a very Merry Christmas and I'll tell you more when we get home!