Christmas Fun!

Christmas was fun and exhausting this year! We've been on-the-go for the past four days (and now Ben has yet another ear infection, poor guy). We're lucky to have lots of family and friends nearby to spend time with. A few of Ben's new toys this year include: Thomas trains and track, basketball hoop, Little People toy garage, toy clock, cash register, Mega Blocks, cars. . . the list goes on, believe me! He opened a few presents this year, but mostly was interested in removing bows from every package. He's LOVING his new stuff!

'Twas the Night Before Christmas

And all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse. . .

We spent Christmas Eve with Bubba, Grampy, Great Aunt Kim, Great Uncle Tim and cousins Sean and Brett. While there we put Ben to bed at his normal bed time. Well, when Joe and I went to get Ben to go home we found him this way. Yes, we promise he had P.J.s AND a diaper on when we put him to bed.

The past few mornings we've found him with only a diaper on in his crib, but he really took things to a new level tonight. Merry Christmas little guy, sweet dreams!

New Tent

Ben got this great tent with a tunnel from his babysitter, Sarah, for Christmas. He seems to LOVE it!!

The Mad Hatter

Ben normally won't keep a hat on his head - and it's a bummer, because we have some cute ones - but he loved Aunt Amanda's hat this weekend. He wore it everywhere and thought he was pretty cool.

Too Funny. . .

According to this extremely advanced and accurate online software Ben equally looks like his mom and dad. Hmm. . . Considering that when we go to restaurants, servers comment on how much Ben looks like Joe, I'm skeptical.

Mom Craft, Climbing and More!

I started making Ben's stocking in August of 2006. At the time, I thought it would be no problem to finish it by Christmas. . . well, thanks to the help of Aunt Amanda, it's finally done. At least I made the deadline this year!

Ben's favorite new toy is the step stool. We can't keep him off the thing. I guess he has extra energy to burn now that we can't go to the park as much with the cold weather.

My attempt to photograph Ben with the tree. I guess it wasn't in his plans for the day!

Joe and I put up the tree last night after Ben went to bed. He woke up this morning to find a lit tree and thought it was amazing. He looks at it and ooohs and aaaahs, points to things and has been (so far) very gentle.

Ben and I went to our playgroup this morning at his friend Dillon's house. . . well, Dillon has a working train under his tree, and Ben LOVED, LOVED, LOVED it. I guess we need to get a train too!

The Big Game

We went to Uncle Tim and Aunt Amanda's for the big Mizzou game last night. Well, the game was a bust, but Ben looked cute in his Mizzou gear (thanks to his Columbia cousins). Look at Ben consoling his Grandad when the Tigers were down. . . he must have known what was going on!