Stocking Madness

Each Christmas Eve Eve my mother and I exchange stockings as it is my favorite tradition. This year as I pulled out her stocking she commented on how hers may not be as good..etc. No biggie right, I mean last year she forgot all together so I was up for anything. As she rounded the corner this is what she had in her hand... I nearly lost it, I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. Not only did she make up for forgetting last year but she really hit it BIG this year. I thought I was going to pee my pants.

The next morning we had to stuff Shayden inside just to show how large this thing really is.

Way to go Mom - you rock!

Morning Routine

Shayden loves the Christmas tree and each morning as he comes downstairs he goes through his morning routine. I have enjoyed these moments so much I wanted to capture them to remember...here is a video right after waking up.

Annual Christmas Tree Hunt

We headed out a little late this year for our annual Christmas Tree hunt but it proved to be a wise move as it is a few less weeks of "reminding" Shayden not to touch the tree, pull the tree, pull the ornaments, etc.... you get the idea!

Shayden absolutely loved the excursion and while he had trouble maneuvering between the fields (picture lots of divots, stumps, all nothing to an average adult but a huge mountain for a 14 month old), he was totally into the sawing of the tree and carrying it home.

Every morning he asks to turn the lights on, then tells us there is a star on top and when he sees the Santa ornament he says "Ho Ho Ho". Personally I love to have a reason to have the lights on all day - contrary to Chris' energy saving requests to turn it off. :)

Laugh out Loud Good

So I might be a bit of a Starbucks fanatic...in reality it is just coffee in general. So this past week when Shayden and I headed to church to help decorate for Christmas a little coffee was definitely in order.

side note (important for story): For those of you who have the pleasure of attending our church and have met "Uganda John" (which for the record he likes being called) then you would know his trademark phrase which is "Hey Paw Paw" in his very African accent and booming voice.

As we pulled through the drive-thru a very familiar voice greeted us on the other end...it was the professional starbucks greeting but since I knew it was John on the other end I shouted "Hey Paw Paw" when it was time to give my order. As John is laughing through the speaker at me and saying Hi, Shayden is in his car seat in the back losing it...I mean peels of laughter are ringing through the car...it was such a belly laugh that I tried it again and again and again. He and I laughed all the way to the pick up window where I am relaying all this to John. As we could not pass up the opportunity we shot some video to share. Shayden is still loving it and now has his own rendition that is just as cute!

Like Father Like Son

This just cracks me up...