Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

We got our first real snowfall today, as it snowed all day long. So after his nap, Eric and I ventured outdoors for the first snow time in 2010! Here are some of the shots that I got today.

Eric gets ready in his new big-boy snow bibs. I can't wait til he gets ski boots on!
E takes his first taste of 2010 snow

Check out those blue eyes

Wow, look how much snow I got in my hands!
Now let's see if I can throw it!

Ringing in 2010

We were lucky enough to spend the New Year with our good friends, Chris and Stephanie, and their daughter, Audrey. We had great food, great drinks and great company. Enjoy some pictures from our evening!

Hat's off to the new year!

Both men and women look sexy in these hats! I'm still learning how to do my timer on my camera, but you get the idea. Happy New Year!
Audrey was the first to figure out how to blow the horn! Audrey gives Eric a New Year's hug! Like a true man, he seems not to notice... ;)

On New Years Day, Eric took after his father and all the other men around the country. Here he stares into TV-Football-Land...
Then took a break for some chips and dip
Then promptly got to work on his toolbench!
HAPPY 2010 EVERYONE!!

Christmas x3

We had an absolutely amazing Christmas. For the first time, we spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day here, in Dublin and it was well worth it. Our entire neighborhood does luminaries on Christmas Eve - it was hard to find a house that didn't participate and it was breathtaking. We got to be at our church for Christmas Eve service, something that you don't know how much you appreciate until you're not able to attend. And we got to have Eric wake up and go downstairs to see that Santa had arrived at his house.


We then were blessed times three, as we went back to Charleston to spend time with the grandparents and have a Christmas at each of their houses. To each grandparent, aunt and uncle - we cannot thank you enough for the time that you set aside for us, for the amazing gifts and for your commitment to making sure that Eric had an amazing Christmas holiday. Thank you!

Eric and Tim on Christmas Eve

E & Marisa
Alright Santa! Give me the goods!

Bailey got something in her stocking, too!

Look dad! An aquarium! Eric's new train table from Santa was waiting for him in the basement

E wails on his new drumset. His teachers at school call him their "little drummer boy".
At Grandma and Grandpa's house, E tries on his new WV Tech hat
Grandpa reads E a new book At the Ellis', Tim and Marisa get a cool present from Aunt Barbara and Uncle Michael. Can you see what it spells?

Who is having more fun here? Eric tries on Nana's glasses....I think we'll wait until you really need those!

Ashton and Eric exchanging gifts. These two are going to be life long buddies, there's no doubt about it.
Eric got to spend some time with his great grandmother, Mama Jean. We think it actually worked out better that way. Eric loves his Mama Jean and talks about her all the time (despite his being cranky while he visited).
He even showed her how to do one of his dances :)
Baby Britton gives us a smile - what a beautiful boy!!

101 Christmas Activities

It's so hard to believe that December is over because WOW did we do a lot! I have to say, I always knew that having a child would bring out the child in me, but this is the best Christmas I've ever had. I think Tim would agree. How wonderful it is to be able to see Christmas through the eyes of a child - the wonder, the awe, seeing things 'new' and believing in absolutely everything - AMAZING! Here are just some of the great things that we got to do over the holidays. I can only hope that you see half of the joy through these pictures as that of what we had doing them!

We got to visit the Anthony Thomas candy factory. Here, because of Eric's peanut allergy he got a sucker instead of a buckeye after the tour...at this age, I think he got the better treat! (I think Jenna thinks so, too!)

Here, we visited the Bakers Garden Village where they had live reindeer and lots of costumed people, like rudolph, a christmas tree, a snowman...you get the picture. A HUGE hit!

Next, it was on to the Columbus Zoo to see Wildlights. Always one of our favorite holiday events, they have really gone above and beyond putting up millions of LED lights. It was amazing! E still wants to go back to the zoo to see the "dancing lights."
The tree behind us was my favorite!

One night, I took E to the Franklin Park Conservatory where they were having "Candlelight Nights". It also happens to be a year when they are featuring the artist Dale Chihuly - such an amazing glass artist! So the conservatory was beautiful anyway, but with candles, gingerbread houses, trains, trees and flowers everywhere, it was even better. This sculpture was outside on our way to see a glass-blowing exhibit.

Eric got to make a centerpiece as part of an arts and crafts room, and I must say, he did a very good job!
One day we had our playgroup over to make cookies and play at our house!
We also got to take Daddy to COSI for the first time. Clifford was there (who E loved) along with a train exhibit.

Look at those trains!

Eric and Daddy: the magical elves
E shows Dad how to really fly a helicopter

Making cookies never gets old in this house!

One day we got to take a trip to the Main Library downtown to see the giant train exhibit (can you tell we like trains?)
We even got to read books for a while - this is in a 'tree trunk' in the children's section

Perhaps the greatest event of Christmas, we got a surprise on the 22nd. Our next door neighbor, Al, got home safe and sound from Iraq. He had been serving since the previous December. Our street was filled with flags, banners and cheerfulness, despite the snow and rain. What a blessing to be home for the holidays!