We had a great time celebrating Christmas in Michigan with our family and friends. It was definitely a snowy winter wonderland! It was a busy 10 days, basically a jam packed blur of seeing all of our friends and family, but is was a great time and so wonderful to spend time with everyone.
After a long, rainy car ride the kids were ready to get outside and experience the snow and burn off some energy. We went sledding and hunting for animal tracks. Sadly there was a lot of ice on the snow, so it wasn't good snowman making snow. Alex LOVED the snow. After the first day of playing in the snow Alex said this was the "bestest day of his life and he wanted to stay in Michigan forever". Brodie was tolerant of the snow for short periods of time, but after a few days he pretty much opted to just stay inside ;).
We headed to the Grand Rapids Children's Museum one morning. Both of the boys LOVE it here and it has become a "must do" on each visit to Michigan now. It is really a well done museum.
Grocery Store....
Wood fired pizza making....
Rock Climbing....
Veterinary Hospital....
Fireman....
Bee Keeper....
Bubbles...
Construction Area....
Rescue Helicopter...
We celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve with Julie's Family. The youngest boys are "santa" and they pass out presents to everyone.
Must have found one with his name on it ;)
Brodie was quite mellow during the present opening and was pretty happy to just snuggle and take it all in....
A group effort....
Lincoln logs. Alex has never seen these before. When he unwrapped them he kinda paused and said, "I don't think I like this one" ;). Later he discovered the fun of lincoln logs.
We spent Christmas Day with Eric's family. Here the cousins are patiently awaiting present time - all on their various electronics. Brodie discovered Ipads this week and became completely OBSESSED! Screaming meltdowns occurred when he was denied ipad time ;).
Yeah - diggers!!!!
Camouflage binoculars!
The cousins all opening their traditional gift of new pajamas!
All the cousins on Eric's side spent one morning at Sky Zone - a trampoline play area. One area is a dodgeball court. Alex had to play dodgeball with all of his big cousins. He caught on pretty quickly and loved it. Brodie was pretty happy to jump in the foam pits and just explore the big trampoline area.
The boys had more fun in the snow with their cousins.
Brodie remembered the garage full of toys from this summer and just wanted to play on them...
More sledding...
Cousins!!!!
Getting Grammy to do all the work!
Big fun - getting pulled behind the 4 wheeler on the sled....
A few random pics...
Proof of the Ipad obsession. Brodie loved his big cousin Chloe/"Cwoee", for many reasons, one of them being that she was a great Ipad sharer!
The entertainer...
Brodie talked Papa into showing him tractor videos on the computer - A LOT!
And we were lucky to be in town to celebrate my brother and sister-in-law's upcoming arrival. A "Girls Only" shower during the day and a couples "toast to the soon to be parents" at night. Can't wait to meet this little one!
Eric has to upload the pics from his phone yet - so a couple of more highlights to come....
