Christmas 2014 Part 2

We had our Christmas Cantata at church the Sunday evening before Christmas, and Brett was part of it this year. Of course, he needed to get dressed up for the occasion, and I tried to grab a nice picture of him before we headed to church. He was too interested in the camera though, and it proved to be quite difficult to get a decent picture. I still think he looked quite dapper, even if the picture quality isn't the greatest

Christmas morning, Grampie, Grammie, and the Aunties, came over to our house for a breakfast of fruit salad, french toast, and bacon. Grammie and the Aunties were such a huge help in getting breakfast ready since this Momma was quite sick that morning! After breakfast, we all gathered in the living room and lit the last candle of our Advent wreath while Matt read the Christmas story to us. Of course, Brett had to help light the candles, because he had learned that whenever Daddy got out the lighter, the wreath candles got lit, and he would run to the wreath carrying the lighter trying to make the "fire" come out of it.

After our Advent wreath, it was time to open presents, and Brett enjoyed it to the fullest! Last year he was only 6 months old and didn't really get what he was supposed to do with the presents. This year though, he definitely knew what to do and enjoyed ripping the wrapping paper off his presents piece by piece. Every new present was a fresh excitement  for him.

Opening his stocking.

Opening his hedgehog book that he got from the "far away Grampie and Grammie." He immediately took it over to Grampie to have him read it to him. 

Trying out his new tractor.

A new sled from Daddy and Mommy. Daddy took him for a little ride around the house, and when they got done, Brett didn't want to get out, so he opened more presents while sitting in his sled.

We had to take a bit of a break around 11:30 because Brett was getting too tired and needed a nap, and Matt's family needed to get home to check on the roast beef they had in the oven for Christmas dinner.

Brett slept for about an hour and a half, and when he woke up, he was just as excited about his tractor as when he opened it. :-)

We went to Matt's parents' house for a delicious roast beef Christmas dinner and then opened gifts at their house after that. We got so busy celebrating that we didn't get any pictures of us opening presents at Grampie and Grammie's house. 

Later on in the afternoon, we were able to Skype with Tim and Becca and cousin Paul, and Brett enjoyed "talking" to another little person about his age. 

Jason and Rosanna arrived at Dad and Mom's in the early evening, and we had another round of opening gifts with them. We didn't get any pictures then, but the pictures below are of Brett enjoying the present they gave him a few days later.

We left Matt's parents around 7:00 that evening and were able to Skype with my folks in Nova Scotia before calling it a night. We enjoyed Christmas so much this year, and can't wait to celebrate as a family of four next December!

Christmas 2014 Part 1

It seems as though Christmas came and went in a flash this year!! I had every intention of being overly prepared for the festive season, and even began Christmas shopping early, but then a wonderful thing called "morning sickness" overtook me, and I ended up scrambling around at the last minute trying to get everything ready in time.
 Morning sickness or not, we did enjoy our Christmas season immensely, especially with a little boy around our house who enjoyed every aspect of Christmas so thoroughly this year. I don't think Christmas would be half as fun, if there weren't little people around to share in the wonder of the season. Everything is new and fresh to them, and every new decoration put up or present wrapped is a cause for exclamation and excitement in their eyes. I loved watching Brett's eyes light up this year every time we lit the advent wreath, and smiled with pride as I watched him learn how to blow out the candles all by himself.  I enjoyed watching him point to the Christmas tree with a big "OOOHHH" face as we lit it for the first time, and treasured each moment of watching him tear the wrapping paper piece by piece off his presents, and anybody else's that would offer him a turn at opening their present.
I want to cherish the memories of this past Christmas forever in my mind. Next Christmas we will be a family of four, and although we are beyond excited to meet the newest little member of our family, there was something special about being able to make memories with just Brett.

 We decorated the house for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. The day was extra special because Matt had the day off and was able to decorate with us.

 Brett had to pull his special Christmas hat out and wear it for the occasion.

 He enjoyed "helping" by pulling things out of the Christmas box and exclaiming with excitement "OOHH" at every new thing he pulled out.

 Brett had to go for a nap halfway through our decorating, but when he woke up and Daddy brought him out of his room, his face was priceless when he saw all of the decorations we had put up.

His favorite decoration was the train that Daddy got to go around the bottom of our Christmas tree this year. He stood staring in amazement the first time Daddy turned it on for him to see.

Brett even got his very own Christmas window clings to decorate the window in his bedroom.

The first Thursday in December we got together with Matt's family to go get our Christmas trees. We always make a big celebration out of it and decorate a tree at one family's that night, and then at the other family's house the next night. We make a special supper and have a party, while we decorate the tree. We decorated our tree the first night, and Dad and Mom's tree the next night.

 Looking for the perfect tree is always half of the fun of getting the Christmas tree. And of course, Matt and Dad have to try to out do each other claiming that their respective trees are the best! :-)

 Brett helped Daddy cut down our Christmas tree this year. (Or in his words, "Daddy helped him cut down the Christmas tree.")

Pam cut down the Christmas tree for their house. We were so happy she was able to come along to pick out the tree this year! Usually she has to work, and only gets home in time to decorate it.

The tree going through the "Grinch machine."

Helping Grampie cut the string before putting the tree up. 

 Getting the lights on.

"Helping" with the lights.

The finished project.

Enjoying a drink at the party.

The next night we went over to Grampie and Grammie's and helped them decorate their tree.

Mommy - Brett Pictures

Matt had been mentioning for awhile that he wanted some pictures in his office of Brett and I together. So one day back in the summer, when Auntie Rachel came over for a visit, she did a small photo shoot with us as a surprise for Daddy. Brett wasn't exactly inclined to be cooperative, but Auntie Rachel just kept clicking pictures while I worked to keep him happy/distracted. I was happy with how they turned out in the end, and so was Matt when we surprised him with them. I thought I'd share my favorites with you all!

A video post

My phone is loaded with videos of Brett and the things we do with him, so I thought I would share some in the next few blog posts.  Hopefully it will give you a little peak into the life of our little one year old! :)

 This is the first time Brett discovered he could see himself in the camera on my phone. He was completely intrigued and loved making funny faces at himself as you can see. :) He made this while Daddy was carving the pumpkin from the last post.