12.27.2011

Christmas 2011

Let's face it.

My picture taking and blog-umenting over the holidays has been pretty weak.

Can we blame it on the pregnancy?

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Here are a few glimpses, at least, into Christmas Eve through Christmas.

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We stuck with tradition and spent Christmas Eve with the Jones clan up in Alpine. Tiffany and her kids are in town, and Adam and Michelle + kids came down for the evening as well.

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The annual acting out of the Christmas Story took place...

and as usual... our little family was by far the most reverent.

Sarah= Shepard Brett= Joseph Jack= Jesus

Can't you tell?

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My abnormally GORGEOUS sisters-in-law. My fellow shepard and our narrator. Angel Ethan. Soren, Adam, and Bjornn were quite wise. .... ... ... ...

After the nativity, and a delicious meal, we opened a few Christmas Eve gifts, and the kids were all treated to new jammies.

My child is the 18 year old on the front row, right. ...

(Top to Bottom: Bjornn, Mya, Zetta, Liam, Ethan, Soren, Jack) ... ... ...

We got home just in time for Santa to come and leave some loot.

Jack had just a few presents waiting for him. ....

Poor baby. .... ...

Christmas morning, Brett and I woke up and had our own gift exchange, while Jack slept and slept and slept. ...

... After getting ready, we could hardly handle waiting for him to see his presents any longer, so just before 9:00... we barged into his room to find a little boy who had absolutely NO interest in waking up!

It took a little time for him to shake the grogginess...
He even hid from his presents for a minute... ...
But then- he broke loose and NEVER looked back all day! ...
He was gasping for like an hour straight!
Jack Scored:
Foam Alphabet And Number Puzzle Mat
Sorting Block Cube
Wooden Blocks
Marble Race
Pounding Block
Books
Nerf Sports Ball Pack
Cars Squinkies
Disney Action Figures
Hotwheels
Hotwheel Track
Snow Bibs
Cars 2 Race Track
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and...
Upstairs he was surprised to find....
BASKETBALL!!!
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If you know Jack at all... you know this kid is a baller.
Nothing gets to him like our Double Shot...but, it's too big for him.. so Santa got him one just his size.
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I guess this Christmas was proof that Jack is a really good little boy.
And- his parents might be feeling the sting just a little of introducing a brother into the mix! ...
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We stripped him away from his new treasures to meet the fam up at my parents for breakfast.
My pictures here were TERRIBLE...
but, the scene was a bit chaotic!
Think delicious food, a million presents, and darling-hyper kids!
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Jack took a little break to down some Mac n' Cheese...
Then- he was back to the grind... playing with his cleaning trolley my mom and dad gave him!
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{Pretend I took ONE family photo on Christmas and enter it here!}
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Christmas BINGO
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Tony Hank
.. Close enough to a family photo... right?
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We stayed at my parents until the late afternoon, and after my mom fed us an amazing spread AGAIN, we were off to Alpine for some more Jones time.
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At this point...my weak attempts at taking pictures were non-existent... but we had a wonderful evening of more presents, MORE FOOD, games, and talking.
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Though he had some moments of being completely overwhelmed...
Jack survived the overstimulation of Christmas beautifully.
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It seems like every year I realize more and more just how lucky we are to be able to be with both families every Christmas. We had a wonderful day... hope yours was just as merry!...

12.12.2011

Zoo Lights 2011

Thanks to my mom and dad, we took a little field trip with the fam to Hogle Zoo for our 2nd Annual visit to Zoo Lights!

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I was so thankful for this chance to get out and do something to kick myself into the Christmas spirit!

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We bundled up, and were off.

Unfortunately, the Ross clan sat this one out...and they were sorely missed.

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We had some camera issues...but managed to snap some highlights of the night.

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Santa found himself a little hotty this year...Mrs. Claus was one young granny rocking some hip blond (not white) ringets. So modern. Hank and Max went first to show Jack the ropes...

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But, he was not convinced, AT ALL!

He sat there long enough to put on a brave face... didn't cry...but rocked the biggest frowner you've ever seen in your life.

A little closer...

... He nervously uttered "bye" when we walked away...and that was that! ... ...

The rest of our time was spent riding the carousel, seeing (a few) animals, checking out the lights, and watching Hank cart Jack up and down the snake slide 9,000 times.

Too damn cute.
Really... Jack is so in love with sweet Hank.

Although, most of the time he prefers to call him "Max."
Admiring stanky creatures of some sort...
Speaking of admiring...
Brett really liked the tigers. ...
Did you know my dad reps Browning?
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Can we celebrate this picture... please?
Annie's palsy is on it's way out!
I see a smile coming through! Wahoo! Although, always a beautiful face... we've missed that smile!
So happy for her! ...
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Good thing Jack has the best uncle Randy in the world who bought him a matching light sword with Max. He hasn't let go of it since!
This boy.
Love, love, love.
It was his first weekend with his insulin pump...and he was nothing but a pro!
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The closest we actually got to seeing animals was on our way out, when Santa's helpers were escorting Donner and Vixen out.
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It's ridiculous how many awful pictures I took of this process!
We had a wonderful time, and I couldn't help but think about next year at this time...when we'll be wrangling little Jones #2 along with us!
I have got to be better at blogging over the next couple months...because big changes are on the horizon for our little family.
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Jack laid on my belly today, and little brother went nuts.
It makes me so excited for us all to meet him.
I'm focusing on relishing every day before that time comes, though,
and am soaking up this time I have with Jack solo.
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I'm afraid guilty mom syndrome is starting to set in as baby gets closer...
Uh oh.