Whenever we are all together we have such a good time and this visit was no exception. It was a little hard to stay up until 2am nearly every night, but it was worth it. We just never wanted the night to end. Connor is lucky to have such great aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents.
As I did with the Christmas post, I'll let the pictures tell the story. Happy New Year everyone.
We arrived in Austin Tuesday evening. It was so nice for the entire "original" Roach family to be together again. Of course our family is ever-expanding and that just makes it even more fun.
Festive Grandma and Connor on what we called "Tivo Christmas Eve"
Connor loved playing with his 8 month old cousin Libby's toys. He particularly liked this cute little bell. My sister even let us take it home with us, since Connor liked it so much.
Julie mailed most of her gifts to Austin, so she wouldn't have to have them on the airplane and Connor snuck into one of the boxes she shipped. Now that's one very special delivery. Ok, so maybe I set him in the box, because I love posing my little boy. Yes, it's true, he's my very own baby doll and I love posing him and dressing him up. Let me enjoy it. :)
It was fun having two babies nearly the same age. Here Connor and Libby are eating their purees of fruits and veggies together. Libby is much more experienced with finger foods now and Connor even got to try some of her poofs for the first time. We have continued to experiment with the poofs at home. He's getting it, but it's amazing how difficult it is to pick up a little cheerio sized piece of food and put it in your mouth when you've never done it before. It's so cute to see him struggle to do it. You just forget that learning to put bite size pieces of food in your mouth is a learned skill.
Grandpa, Libby, Mommy and Connor
It was pretty cold in Austin, so Connor had to bundle up again.
Libby needed to bundle up some more too. Isn't her fur-lined coat adorable?!
A happy Tivo Christmas boy.
I had given my nephews a Michigan football a while back and of course Connor found it...and loved it. Well, of course. :)
Checking out the tree on Tivo Christmas Eve.
Libby was already in bed, but the rest of the cousins got a nice rendition of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas from Grandpa.
Now the big kids join in too.
We decided to exchange our gifts while the kids were in bed so that we could take our time. It was so much fun and I really liked the combination of wine and opening Christmas gifts, versus coffee and baggy eyelids.
Grandpa Claus, Grandma Claus, and Mini Claus on "Christmas" for the kiddos.
Connor got some great gifts including this fun walker toy. I can't imagine him walking, but I guess it will happen before I know it.
Libby wants in on some of that walker toy action too.
Santa/Grandpa showed up and Martin (almost 5) wasn't fooled, but his brother Winston (2 1/2) was in awe.
Libby was a little reserved in her reaction.
Clearly Connor was terrified.
Without the costume though, Connor loved Grandpa all over again.
The kiddos went to bed and now it was time to celebrate New Year's Eve in style. We had good food and did a fun white elephant exchange.
Later, we went outside in the cold and set off some fireworks. We were pretty loud, but amazingly, Connor slept through all of it. Good boy!
We were all a little tired on New Year's Day, but clearly Libby and Daddy Arthur were looking good.
What a happy little duo on New Year's Day.
I thought this was funny. Libby is crawling now, so you have to be so careful what is on the ground. With all the present opening, lots of little bits, including those little foam pellets are everywhere. Here, Aunt Julie is cleaning up while Libby is crawling right towards trouble. Like Connor, everything goes in her mouth. Man, I don't know if I'm ready for that. Just keep sitting buddy.
Erin with a rare moment in a snuggle with all three of her kids.
Since we all like to cook, instead of making the host be responsible for dinner each night, we each take an evening and prepare a special meal. Jeff and I made flautas for an appetizer during the day. Then for dinner we had pasta with meatballs and veggies. We made the tomato sauce and meatballs from scratch. For dessert, we made creme brulle. Mmm mmm good.
Erin also made her famous Bouche de Noel. It's so good. This year, it was complete with two cardinals.
Libby continued to be gracious with her toys and let Connor try her jolly jumper. He really liked it. She gave him tips from her nearby exersaucer.
Connor also liked Libby's new walker wagon. Jeff would push him around the house in it.
"I like this thing. I fit just perfectly inside and it's fun when Daddy pushes me around the house. What a fun ride."
Jeff's view of Connor in the wagon.
We celebrated Grandma's birthday Saturday night. This is the whole gang thanks to a timer.
Sunday morning, before we left, Libby and Connor got a chance to snuggle in bed.
Not to be outdone, cousins Winnie and Martin joined in too.
Connor loved being with his cousins. Martin and Win are typical little boys with lots of energy, so there was always lots of action in the house for Connor to watch. Of course Libby is fun too, because she is really curious about him and likes to grab him and look at him. I can't wait to see them all grow up together.
It was so sweet. Right before we were leaving, Connor was playing with this little toy and Winnie comes up and says, "Can I play with you Baby Connor?" I hope that's the first of many times these two play together. They are almost exactly 2 years apart (off by just one day) and I think they'll have a lot in common.
We had such a great time in Austin and I know we started our New Year off with a bang. My New Year's resolution is to read more, but in reality I think my New Year's resolution every year from now on, will be to be the best Mom I can be for my son. My life has such a different purpose now and I love it. It really is a very happy New Year now that Connor is in our life.
No comments:
Post a Comment