Ethan's first Christmas

We moved into the new house right before Christmas and we were not going to put up a tree. However, Jeff had other ideas and brought one home on his shoulder one evening. We had a great time decorating it and it really made it feel like home. We went to church Christmas eve and had dinner at Mom and Dad's and then after waking at our new place and doing our presents, we headed over to the grandparent's for stockings and breakfast...oh and more presents.

Can you say spoiled? I tried to explain to Mom and Dad that they were not going to set a precedent for total overkill. They ignored me. I bought E some learning toys and Jeff and I got him a rocking horse. Jeff also got him some DVDs, finger puppets and a few things of his own. Of course, Ethan's best presents were his two bottom teeth the week before Christmas.

Christmas Day at the Grandparents

Breakfast with Grandma 


The great granparents! 


Christmas meal.....and we are wearing it. 

Our Christmas best... 


No Ethan, it's "Mama" not "AAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!!!" 

Ethan's Christening

Ethan's Christening was the Saturday of Thanksgiving weekend. I wanted this day to be special for the family and picked special invitations and agonized over his outfit. He used the blanket from Jean's christening when she was a baby and it had a lot of sentiment associated with it. We then had a catered brunch so my family could relax for once and not cook. My Aunt and Uncle came from NY and spent the weekend. We had a lovely visit and it felt like quite the celebration. I wanted it to be low key but still have everyone share in his day. Jeff's family joined us for the Christening and they all made a lot of effort to be here as well. I couldn't have asked for a nicer day (unless Ethan could have refrained from fussing during the service and the pics). It meant the world to have Michael and Jean stand up there for me and to have the entire family present. I felt very supported and Ethan just loved the attention and all the grandparents. My favorite memory is Christopher carrying him around and sharing his toys with E.

In all our finest

God parents and Grandparents 


Jeff and his family 2005 


Aunt Katherine and Uncle Graham 

All the loot....my new hat and I found my thumb 


How big is Ethan? Sooooo big! 

Thanksgiving

We had a wonderful holiday. Jean, Russ and Ryan came from Seattle and we had Christopher for the week as well. We had a lovely Thanksgiving day at Mom and Dad's and played frisbee and video games, watched football and ate way too much. Jean and Dad were mixing drinks and Russ, as usual, kept everyone entertained with all his antics.

Thanksgiving Dinner 


Frisbee throwing on Thanksgiving Day 


Uncle Mikey 


Jean, Jenn and a grumpy E 

Jeff and Jenn get engaged

Jeff proposed and we annouced to the family at thanksgiving. Our friend Sam took an engagement pic of us even though we aren't making any formal announce. I have never been so happy and know that we will have a wonderful family and future. We are planning a nice garden wedding in the back yard of our house when Christopher comes back for the summer. July in NC and outdoors.....what are we thinking?

Food glorious food

After rice cereal comes oatmeal. And then veggies. So far we have cleaned up on the butternut squash, sweet potatoes, peas, and carrots. We have also done some fruit with bananas and apples. Ethan seems equally enthused with them all...and the napkin, the chair, the stuffed animals etc. Seems everything goes into his mouth these days. The funniest part is when we eat. He sits with us at the table during dinner. he is in his highchair and screams bloody murder unless he is getting something too. And the way he follows your movements as you eat, you just know he is wishing to do a face plant into your mashed potatoes.

Off to bed

Just a quick post with some pics as we got Ethan ready for bed tonight. He is really standing well on his own and his expressions slay me. We are really struggling with keeping a schedule so we can keep his tantrums to a minimum. Remember when your Mom wished you would have one just like you? Here is my penance. :-)

Barn in progress....siding is on 

Rear of the house..... 

Garage doors...