December to Remember!

December is always a busy month for us- lots of family parties, lots of birthdays, lots of holiday activities- but we have lots of fun as well! Here are the many highlights from December:

Wassailfest:

The city shuts down downtown for one night and everyone comes out to walk around and sample wassail at all the local businesses. Its a big competition to see who has the best wassail. We went to see Tristen, our nephew, sing with his church youth choir and then the plan was to walk around for a bit. But with a toddler, plans always seem to change. He became quite grumpy and we had to leave almost right away. But we did manage to take a few cute pics of him while there. :)

Pop & Bryson

All Bryson wanted to do was run around, but with all the people it wasn't ideal. Luckily he likes shoulder rides but it can get a little tiring as well :)

Picture with Cowboy Kringle:

Last year he screamed and cried and this year... he did the same. The only difference is they lost the first picture they took of him so we had to go back and do it again. The 2nd time around he was okay... he wouldn't smile but at least he didn't cry! Bryson takes awhile to warm up to people :)

Nana, Pop, Krista & Tristen were all there taking pics as well so we got a big family shot.

St. Nick's Day

I know very few people who still celebrate the traditional St. Nick's Day but we are one of them! Dec. 6th St. Nick comes and visits to see if you're being bad or good and picks up your Christmas wish list so he can start getting ready for the big day. Before he leaves, he fills your stocking up with goodies for you to find in the morning (Or coal and sticks if you've been bad). By the looks of it, Bryson must be doing well!

Christmas Tree Farm:

We enjoy going to a local Christmas tree farm that has lots of activities for kiddos to do. We eat a pancake breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus and then play and play. (We have an artificial tree for now so we don't actually get a tree- maybe one year we will) In this picture he is panning for gold and other treasures!

Chasing a rooster around... I wonder what he would have done if he caught it?

Hay ride!

My GQ men!

Hay bale maze!

Cheater!

Swinging in a big boy swing



Christmas Bowling Party:

One of our family parties is held at a local 9 pin bowling club. Bryson is helping Papo be team captain in this picture and keep score.

Bryson and Jaxson riding around on their trains

A little non-holiday fun as well:

I very rarely get cuddle time, but when he lets me I enjoy it!




Riding around with daddy in his big truck with cool shades on!

Those are big shoes to fill but he's getting there!



COOKIE DAY!:

My sister and cousins came over for a day full of baking and decorating Christmas cookies. My grandmother and mom come for supervision, and maybe a taste or two :)


As you can see Bryson was a big help... he was quality control. He made sure all the icing tasted good before it was used. (The blue must have been really good!)

And then he had to test the icing again once it was on the cookie.

Some of the delicious cookies... torture for a preggo woman, but sooo good!

Ben, April, Memaw, Yaya, Devin, Bryson & Kayla


Ashley, Travis & Ryan joined the group for lunch and decorated a few cookies as well.

You can tell we're all on a sugar high!

Bryson's Jeep:

For Christmas Bryson got a Jeep Power Wheels that he absolutely loves!

Mommy's Jeep and Bryson's Jeep. He now prefers driving his own Jeep instead of riding with mommy.

He learned how to operate it quickly although he could use some more practice with the steering.

Thank you Yaya & Papo!!!

Christmas Eve:

Of course Bryson wanted to take his new Jeep over to Memaw's for Christmas Eve and give everyone a ride. Here he is with Devin :)

Bryson and Travis cruising- hopefully he didn't pick up any driving tips from Travis!

Bryson taking Ashley for a spin

(And for those wondering, yes of course Ryan tries to get on it too and ride, I just didn't get any pictures)

In the back room hiding from Santa! We can hear the reindeer and their bells outside on the roof and Santa in the living room delivering the gifts!

All the cousins in our dorky Christmas hats!

Doesn't Ryan look like a giant! haha :)

Christmas Morning:

He didn't care much about the opening part, but he loved the playing with all the new toys part!

Family shot in our Christmas PJs

Christmas at Nana & Pop's:

Bryson got a cool "motorcycle" that he loves to ride around on. He is def. the coolest kid on the block!

The boys hanging out in Tristen's new tent

Loving all the new toys and fun things to do! Especially hanging out with big cuz Tristen!

Family shot on front porch

Granny and Pawpaw Gene came down for Christmas- it was so nice to get to see and visit with them!

Missing some pics:

So as always, mommy forgets to take pictures at some of the events we go to. There were a couple parties I totally missed out on the picture taking, and I apologize if you were looking for those! Its amazing how scatter-brained I am with only one child right now- can you imagine what I'll be like next year!

But I had to share this picture with everyone:

My cousins Lindsay & husband Travis (not pictured anywhere because with our growing family obligations we tend to miss each other for Christmas now) got this light up fish tank for Bryson. When we do go and visit at their house, Bryson LOVES their huge fish tank and will stand in front of it for hours just talking and pointing to all the fish. So now that he has his very own (luckily not real, because I dont want to explain upside down fish to him yet :)) he does the very same thing. He talks to them all day and has even named them. Its so cute!

Christmas at Yaya & Papo's:

Aunt April helping Bryson open up a gift.

And after about 7 Christmas parties, Bryson finally understands the concept of tearing open the wrapping paper by himself to get to the gift. Hooray! Now will he remember when his birthday rolls around?

Why do kids always enjoy the box more than the gift?

Ryan, Tiff, Bryson, April

Lexi, Shailey, Star

(Shortly after this picture Shailey decided to rip her toenail off somehow and we had to go to the emergency pet clinic, which cut our visit somewhat short, otherwise I would have a couple more pics to show!)




HOW WAS YOUR DECEMBER BRYSON?

"Hmmm...let me think... it was AWESOME!" :)

We are so thankful for all of our blessings this year. 2010 was a good year full of family, friends and fun! More than anything we are enjoying our time with Bryson and counting down the days until we meet our newest blessing, Brayden!

We hope everyone had a great Christmas and hope 2011 brings everyone great joy!