Uncle J with baby J

Christmas morning

We spent Christmas morning at home this year--the kids slept until 8am!  We opened presents as a family and then the rest of the Wells clan came over for brunch.  Naturally I failed to take any pictures of any adults (or even baby Liam!) but I think that's due to my dad running around with his camera.  Unfortunately I'll never get those pictures from him :)

The kids were so excited to see that Santa ate some of the cookies, and all the carrots for the reindeer.

 

 The window clings in the stocking were a big hit.

 

 

 Julia showing off some of her presents (more play food)

 

We had Christmas dinner at my parents house.  Poor Sam had a cold but otherwise a relaxing day spent with family.  I've really enjoyed having Scott home from work this week, and the whole house sleeping in until 8am :)

Breakfast with Santa

Now that we have kids, I feel like life is on "repeat" sometimes-traditions where each year is so different for us as a family (due to adding kids and changing ages) but when I'm documenting, it sounds like "Groundhog's Day" (I think my dad's favorite movie).  Like last year, we once again found ourselves at the Rivi--this time I was present.  And the boys are wearing the same Christmas sweaters (hey, if they fit...) but I had to chuckle at how tiny Sam looked last year!

Much to my surprise, both boys willingly climbed onto Santa's lap. 

And my super-social Julia had a MELTDOWN when I handed her over (guess this answers last year's question of "can Santa hold 3 children at once?")

 

(She spent the rest of the time on my knee)

 

Charlie asked for a toy rocketship (because Santa might bring him a real one if he didn't specify) and Sam asked for a car transporter "like Ty and Drew have" (his friends).  We forgot to ask Santa for something for Julia (sorry #3...) The tiny candy cane afterwards was a big highlight!

We sat near our friends the Meeks and Foxs and had a nice breakfast.  The kids ran around and the adults even managed a few minutes of chatting.

Christmas Dinner

With Scott's sister living in town, I got the easy end of the deal--preparing/hosting for Christmas Eve/morning but getting to "show up and eat" for Christmas dinner.  The Collevechio family has a tradition of always opening poppers before a holiday meal, and then wearing the crowns (and reading the jokes out loud).  Sam didn't quite understand or appreciate the tradition, but Charlie was a good sport!

 Family picture--in non-matching reds (oops!)

The boys are both fascinated with Cole and I love that they get the experience of a newborn before their baby sister arrives.  They loved watching him play on his playmat, and were eager to watch him get a bath.  Every time Kyle poured water on Cole's chest, he would kick and splash with arms/feet and got water all over the counter--which sent the boys into fits of laughter.  Won't be very long before we have a baby of our own!

Merry Christmas to all!

Christmas morning

I video-taped the boys as they came into the front room on Christmas morning.  The two biggest gifts (golf clubs for Charlie and a kitchen for Sam) were not wrapped so I expected the boys would run straight to them.  They ran in the room, past the tree and presents and went to check to see if Santa had eaten the cookies/carrots.  When I tried to direct their eyes to the open presents, they saw the stockings and FINALLY the presents.

 

 Had to include this belly shot picture...

 Helping Pops open his present--a floating cooler for their boat/lakehouse

 Sam opening accessories for his kitchen

 Christmas morning breakfast (to carry on a Wells family tradition): Egg/Sausage casserole, banana bread and fruit

 Baby Cole didn't get to enjoy the breakfast but he liked the lights/sounds of the bouncy seat!

 Coco reading to the boys

I was a bit surprised that after 2 or 3 presents, the boys lost interest and actually went to play in their bedroom (and we had to call them back out).  I think I even ended up opening a few of their presents.  I say it every year, but next year I swear I'm just buying one present and then filling stockings!  Charlie later reported that his favorite present is his golf clubs, but seeing as we have almost a foot of snow outside, it'll be awhile before he can try them out.  Sam really likes his wooden firetruck, and played by himself in the playroom with it for 20 minutes, driving it around and putting the people in and out.  We relaxed the rest of the morning, re-arranging the playroom and just enjoying family time.

Christmas Eve

The morning of Christmas Eve, we had plans to go bowling with Scott's family.  We headed up to Woodland Bowl (with a lane reservation) and found it closed, or rather, open for an employee party.  For some reason they took our reservation and failed to say that they were not going to be open.  After a quick hunt, we discovered the newly opened Latitude 39.  We were practically the only ones in the whole place, aside from tons of employees, as they just opened a few days earlier.  We were very pleased with the experience--fancy bowling, better food than a "bowling alley" and generally a clean, fun atmosphere (and not someplace I would take my kids in the evening!)

 Charlie's first time bowling

 Sam was content with eating his lunch most of the time we were there...

 

 The alley didn't have the "ramps" for little ones so Charlie used Scott's legs

 Sam with Pops--he only bowled once or twice

 Charlie bowled 2 complete games and loved it!

Later that evening, we had appetizers at our house and relaxed before heading to church at 8pm.

Becky, Kyle and baby Cole

 Coco let the boys open one of their gifts--wooden Melissa and Doug airplane/luggage cart (Charlie) and firetruck (Sam)--both were a big hit.

 Coco and Pops with the 3 grandsons

 Family picture!

The boys didn't get to bed until close to 9:30 but were excited to set out cookies, milk and carrots for Santa and the reindeer.  Scott and I went to bed soon after as it had been a long day and we were anticipating an early wakeup!

Wells Family Christmas

Last Saturday (the 22nd) we drove up to Logansport for the annual "Baker Family Christmas".  Naturally, I failed to take any pictures so we don't have any proof that we were there--but the boys had a blast and it was good to see a few of my cousins (nothing like the "olden days" when EVERYONE was there!)

Sunday the 23rd, we celebrated Christmas with the Wells family at my parents house.  My brother Ryan and his wife Amanda drove down from Chicago, and my little brother Jordan was there as well.  I only took a few pictures...the boys loved being the center of attention for sure!

Charlie, Grammy and uncle Jordan playing with Charlie's present

 Sam opening one of his presents!

 I can't remember the last time my mom and I took a picture together--so at least we got one shot!