First Christmas for the Three of Us

We were blessed with a wonderful Christmas spent with great family.  We have so much to be thankful for! 

We celebrated Christmas with my Mom's side of the family the weekend before Christmas.  I am so glad that we all still get together.

Brock and Darcy (his second cousin) loved the race car set!

 It was a beautiful day outside!

 Smile!

Christmas Eve was spent at my parents home.  We didn't take too many photos because we received a new video camera for Christmas.  Woohoo!  I had to post a photo of Brock in his sweater vest unwrapping his trampoline.

Christmas day has arrived!  We had to wake Brock up....I am sure that won't be happening in the years to come.  Brock was good at unwrapping gifts and had to taste all of the different wrapping paper.

He had fun while Daddy pushed him on his new Explore 'n Grow...

Lunch at Aunt Julie and Uncle Jason's home.  We had to get a photo with him and the two "photographers."  Julie and I rarely appear in photos.

The girls loved holding Brock and Kate is our photographer in training!

Brock and Grandpa having a good time at Ma's house that evening.

This Night Night Lightning Bug gift helps him go to sleep at night.  He was running out of steam at this point.

 

  But then we got home and he spotted all of his toys.  All of that energy reinvented after a long day of Christmas fun!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!

Well, the presents are all wrapped, the house is clean, I made a yummy coconut Happy Birthday Jesus cake, Brock is taking a nap before we get ready for Christmas Eve service and Buck is doing his Christmas shopping....it wouldn't be Christmas Eve for Buck without the shopping! 

May you all have a wonderful Christmas.  We are excited to celebrate Brock's first Christmas!

A is for Apple, B is for...

Brock and bananas....

I was reading Brock a Curious George story the other night before bed and it just happened to be "Curious George Learns the Alphabet."  We were reading along and learning the alphabet until we got to the letter "x."  The story read as follows, "The next letter of the alphabet is X.  The big X and the small x look alike, only one is big and one is small....there are few words that start with an x, and they don't look like an x-except one, and that is Xmas! Santa stands for Xmas.  There is only one Santa so we need only one picture."  SERIOUSLY?  X stands for Xmas????  Don't you believe x-ray would have been a better choice here?  I stopped and skipped this page.  Santa is not the symbol for CHRISTMAS and Brock will grow up knowing the real reason for the season.   

"She shall bring forth a son,

and thou shall call His name Jesus;

for He shall save His people from their sins."

Matthew 1:21

Gingerbread Cookie? Yes, please...

As part of its annual holiday survey, Dunkin' Donuts asked more than 500 people:

"Which part of the gingerbread man cookie do you eat first?"



The results...

Head = 64%
If one chooses to bite the head first, it indicates an achievement-oriented individual, a natural leader, who won't take no for an answer.

Legs = 20%
Those who first choose the legs tend to be more sensitive, reveling in the company of others.

Arms = 16%
If the initial bite is the right hand, it reflects an individual who tends to be skeptical and pessimistic, while those who initially bite the left arm have a flare for creativity and are more extroverted.
(via Dunkin' Donuts)

I bite the head off first.  Surprise, surprise....

SANTA!

Today we took Brock to see Santa.  He was in awe......didn't scream bloody murder like the kiddos in line before him (hilarious photo!), didn't have a cheesy grin like the other kiddos in line, just stared in complete awe....who are you?

If you know me, you know I LOVE the movie, Elf.  I can watch that movie anytime of year.  Anyways, I hate it when people quote movies because honestly I can watch a movie and forget about it.....I am talking like ten minutes later forget about it, except for the movie Elf (probably because I have seen it so many times!).  Today's adventure reminded me of this scene:

Buddy: Who the heck are you?
Gimbel's Santa: What are you talkin' about? I'm Santa Claus.
Buddy: No, you're not.
Gimbel's Santa: Uh, why of course I am! Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho.
Buddy: Well, if you're Santa, what song did I sing for you on your birthday this year?
Gimbel's Santa: Um, Happy Birthday of course. Ho, ho, ho, ho, ho, ho. How old are you son?
Kid with Santa: Four.
Gimbel's Santa: You're a big boy. What's your name?
Kid with Santa: Paul.
Gimbel's Santa: Now what can I get you for Christmas?
Buddy: Don't tell him what you want, he's a liar.
Gimbel's Santa: Let the kid talk.
Buddy: You disgust me! How can you live with yourself?
Gimbel's Santa: Just cool it, Zippy.
Buddy: You sit on a throne of lies.
Gimbel's Santa: Look, I'm not kiddin'.
Buddy: You're a fake.
Gimbel's Santa: I'm a fake?
Buddy: Yes!
Gimbel's Santa: How'd you like to be dead, huh? Ho, ho, just kidding.
Buddy: You stink.
Gimbel's Santa: I think you're gonna have a good Christmas, all right.
Buddy: You smell like beef and cheese, you don't smell like Santa.

That movie makes me smile and smiling is my favorite!!!!  :)

Status Update

I can't believe our little guy is nine months old!  Daddy took him to his check-up on Friday because Mommy was sick.  I am ready for a week when everyone is healthy in this home!  Here are his stats:

Height: 28 1/4 inches - 51st percentile
Weight: 24 pounds, 10 ounces - 95th percentile
Head Circumference: 46 cm - 71st percentile

So, do you know what a nine month old does?  Well, our little one climbs....climbs the stairs, climbs his dresser, climbs on us, etc.  I can tell you he does not sit still and if he spots something he wants then he is gone in a flash.  His favorite "words" are "guh" and "da-da-da-da-da."  He has also started copying what we do and his favorite is to engage one of us in a laughing contest.  I really need to get this on video....so funny!!!

Caught ya!  Our little monkey!

Had to get a photo with the 9 months sticker.

I love my learning table.

and still like my jumperoo....

1st piece of artwork

Nine Month Photos

We had Brock's nine month photos taken in downtown Grapevine and at Nash Farm.  Brock once again put up with a few costume changes.  Thanks again Sandra!

And here is the link to slideshow:

Nine Months Slideshow

Our Little Helper

Brock is such a good little helper.  Here he is helping Mommy with Christmas decorations.

This box entertained him for a good 30 minutes.

Brock:  "Seriously, Mommy!"
One day I won't be able to dress him up.

And then he helped Daddy vacuum....

Hilarious!  Brock likes to "compete" with the vacuum by seeing if he can yell louder.  He enjoyed this until he saw all of us getting a good kick out of it. 

Happy Monday!

Baby, It's Cold Outside...

I bundled Brock up this morning and had to take a photo...such a cutie!  Those mittens didn't stay on long, so Mommy (that would be "me") ordered some waterproof mittens that have a velcro strap to keep them on him.  Therefore, Brock will be able to chew on his mittens without freezing his little hands.  Ms. L at daycare will appreciate that.  Anyways, I am surprised he kept the hat on this morning....and his new car seat arrives tomorrow.  As you can see, he is outgrowing this one!

I was so busy enjoying the Thanksgiving holiday that I forgot to show the blog some love.  I know some of you have been looking for a post :)  Well, I am here to disappoint you as I disappointed myself and took only three...yes THREE photos during the entire holiday weekend!  I guess I really was having a good time....

Buck and I worked like crazy trying to get the house "ready" for Turkey Day.  We volunteered to host and I knew that would mean long days of work leading up to the holiday.  But, of course, sometimes that is what you need to get the job done.  We didn't get the job done, but we did get the house presentable and Buck received several compliments on the house.  I was in charge of the turkey again this year (this was only my second turkey to roast).  My first turkey was named Charlie...Buck and I have a habit of giving names to random items.  For example, some of Brock's toys are Morris the moose, Timmy the rattle, George the stuffed monkey, etc.  Anyways, so this year's turkey was named "Chuck."  No photos of the yummy turkey, but I did snap a photo of the kid's table minus our 14 year old nephew Brandon.  He probably appreciates that he missed the photo op.

We hope that you enjoyed your Thanksgiving holiday as much as we did.  We visited with a lot of family and friends, ate a lot of good food and thanked the Lord for all of our blessings.  Things in the Staley household have been busy for the better-another reminder that everything always works out.

Here is another photo of our bouncing baby boy....in snowman pajamas size 24 months!  Ha, they are Gerber brand and Gerber clothes have always run really small on Brock.  They fit him except that the legs are a little long for him....Go Go Gadget Leg.  Anyone remember Inspector Gadget?  Regardless....it was funny watching Brock crawl around with the extra room in the pajama legs. 

Lastly, someone please find me the time to put up our Christmas decor....please!  I am wondering if Brock will tear into the tree.....I will report back soon.