Christmas 2008

Christmas had a whole new meaning this year now that Kellen is in our lives.  We had so much fun celebrating with our families.  Despite the bad weather, we headed to Canby and spent Christmas Eve at Nana and Papa Harreesie's house with my brother, sister, niece and nephew.  It is a tradition that we've had for years to celebrate with a big dinner and then to open up our presents that we've given to each other. 

Christmas day was spent with just the three of us.  Kellen woke up and we went straight to the Christmas tree where Santa left several new and exciting toys for Kellen.  It was entertaining to watch Kellen discover all of his new toys.  He was especially interested in the Live Elmo.  After presents were opened we had a big breakfast and then ventured off for a walk in the snow. 

Saturday we celebrated Christmas with the Fitzgeralds.  Another tradition that the Fitzgeralds have done for years (although it is traditionally done on Christmas day, we postponed it to Saturday due to the snow).  We first spent the morning opening gifts and having breakfast at Grandma and Grandpa Fitzgerald's house with Colin's brothers and sister-in-law and then headed to Aunt Cece's house for the big Fitzgerald gathering.  All of Colin's aunts, uncles, and cousins were there to enjoy a big dinner and some gift exchanging.  Colin and his Uncle Tom have a bit of a football rival and tend to graciously give a gift to the loser of the Civil War game. Well, we all know how badly the Ducks beat the Beavers this year, so Colin had to take advantage and come up with a memorable gift.....a beautifully gifted box of dead roses with the newspaper clipping announcing "Roses are Red, OSU Blue".  The moment was priceless!  With all the people and stimulation, Kellen was quite the trooper!  He amazes me every time on how well he does at social gatherings....so much like his daddy!  

On Sunday my dad, step-mom, half brother and sister came over to our house to check out the lights and exchange gifts.  My brother, sister, niece and nephew also joined us.  It was the first time Kellen was able to meet his uncle Mike (who has been in the Dominican Republic for the last 18 months).  Even though this week was quite the busy one, I couldn't have asked for a more perfect way to celebrate Kellen's first Christmas!

Celebrating at Nana's House Christmas Eve

Christmas Day at Our House

Grandpa "Santa" Fitz at the Fitzgeralds

Uncle Tom...silly Beaver fan...receiving his dead roses from Santa

The Merrills Visiting at Our House

Snow Storm 2008

Our snow day quickly turned into a snow week and then some!  We ended up getting about 10 inches of snow on Saturday and looking out my window right now it is STILL snowing!  With temperatures as low as they are and according to the weathermen, looks like it's sticking around for quite some time.  We tried capturing this historic storm with a few photos.  Kellen enjoyed looking at the "white stuff" and was curious enough to touch it.  The expression on his face as he felt the coldness was priceless!  I can only imagine what he's thinking....'What the heck is this stuff?!!'.  Here are a few of the many pictures we took yesterday.  

Snowmen....literally!

Our Animal Lights Covered in Snow (the cardinals and frog are buried) 

Our Back Deck

BBQ

Our Roof....Lights are buried!

Our lil' Snow Angel

Our Other Snow Angel

Cuddling to stay warm

'Why does this stuff keep falling??'

Snow Day 2008

With the early snow dumping on us, we decided to take full advantage and get some pictures of our Winter Wonderland.  Kellen has enjoyed the snow INSIDE of the house and it's fun to see him watch the world turn white.  I bundled him up in his snow suit and sat him on the deck full of snow.  He instantly started crawling around and then a huge gust of wind mixed with snow came so I had to grab him and hurry inside.  That was the end of our outside adventure for the day!  

Momma and Kellen

Crawling in the snow!

Pippen with a muzzle full of snow.

Enjoying the view from INSIDE!

Daddy and Kellen experiencing the snow fall

Bundled up heading to a birthday party

Our Winter Wonderland!

Kellen is 10 months old!

Our little boy turned 10 months old Saturday.  It's hard to believe that in less than 2 months he will be a toddler!!  He now weighs 22 1/2 pounds, cruises from one piece of furniture to the next, walks holding mommy or daddy's hands, stands for a long period of time all by himself, torments Pippen, and has discovered everything he is not suppose to touch in our house!  He is quite the active little boy and loves to smile!  We are so excited to celebrate his first Christmas in a couple of weeks!

Santa's cutest helper

Daddy's 34th Birthday

Colin turned 34 on Saturday and we decided to celebrate at one of our faborite spots, Rock Creek Tavern McMenamins.  Our parents joined us and we had a very delicious dinner.  We were also very impressed with Kellen.  He sat at the table with us and was a wonderful guest at the restaurant!  ;-)

The birthday boy with his Salt Water Taffy

Grandpa Fitz

The Family

The BEST Grandmas ever!

Papa Harreesies singing

Nana

Kellen's 1st Visit With Santa

We've decided to start a new tradition every December now that Kellen is with us and that is to go to Loch Lolly Tree Farms to visit Santa and chop down a Christmas Tree.  Kellen analyzed Santa's face for a few seconds before realizing he was sitting in his lap and began to cry.  Santa was a very good sport and we ended up buying the perfect tree!

Mommy & Kellen walking through the Tree Farm

Kellen analyzing Santa's face

'Get me outta here!'