Merry Christmas

Christmas 2008 was spent in Kannapolis with Rebecca's extended family (Baldwin side). We went to Rebecca's Grandparents' house and spent Christmas Eve and most of Christmas Day eating, having fun, eating, talking and eating some more.

On Christmas Eve, we let Olivia open two gifts. The first was an actual working digital camera that we found at Rite-Aid for $15.

The second was a pair of Christmas PJs. I think this is going to become a tradition for our kids.

On Christmas Morning, Olivia and Mommy baked a brithday cake for Baby Jesus.

Olivia Just about wore out the batteries on this frog. It sang that stupid "Jeremiah was a bullfrog" song...

Msis O surrounded by her presents and the wreckage of presents past.

She got a pretty necklace with an "O" on it.

Her Doctor's Costume and Medical Kit.

We dressed her up in the costume, at which point she declared, "Mommy, I think you're sick." She put the stethoscope to her chest and said, "I don't hear anything." She then took Grandpa's blood pressure, which she said was 2008.

Cousin Mallory with Gabe.

Great G-dad with little man Gabe.

Grandpa and Olivia.

Grandma brought Gabe a jumperoo to play in and he did very well.

Preschool Christmas Pageant

Ok, well, not really a pageant, per se, but still very cute nonetheless. The kiddos got dressed in costumes and played the various parts as Kim read the Christmas story to them. About halfway through, there was a complete cast change as the kids each decided they wanted to be someone else, so Olivia played the Angel in the beginning and switched to Joseph towards the end. All-in-all it was a bit like herding cats, but we all had a great time.

The Christmas Angel

We bought Olivia an Angel costume because she kept begging to dress up like the Christmas Angel. It's adorable, but I couldn't resist popping the wings and halo on Gabe. I know this is one of those pics that will haunt him for the rest of his life. :)

Definitely Sarine Children

I walked in our room the other morning to find both kids on the floor watching TV. Granted, I put Gabe in the boppy so he could sit up, but I didn't expect to find them both so completely engrossed. I suppose I should have since they are my kids. This just proves it.

Tanglewood Festival of Lights

So we took the kiddos to see the lights at Tanglewood and a jolly time was had by all. It took two hours just to get into the place. It seemed like we were in the slow lane the whole time. Once we got in, though, it was great. Olivia loved seeing all the lights and shapes. We stopped about halfway through at their gift shop, where they had a big fire pit for folks to roast marshmallows. Olivia had a blast doing that, though she didn't want the one that got burnt. Mmmm....more for me. :) We were moving so slow through the place that Rebecca fed Gabe on the road and I held him for a while afterwards. We didn't get a picture of it, but he did grab the wheel a couple of times.

Baby Gabe and his rattle

Gabe is finally holding on to things! He's been swatting at the toys on his play gym and today Rebecca got him to hold his little rattle. Big Sis Olivia sat with him and showed him how to shake it. This evening, though, Nana scared him with it. A little too much rattling, i guess. :)

Grandma Jeanne's Christmas Party

We went over to Durham this weekend to visit Rebecca's Grandmother and Grandfather at her Grandmother's nursing home. They were having their big Christmas party with lots of food, music and even spiked egg nog! Olivia and Gabe also got to see their Grandma and Grandpa, Great Aunt Nancy and Great Uncle Charlie, and cousins Lucas and Sarah. A grand time was had by all!

GreatGrandma Jeanne holding her greatgrandson.

GreatGrandpa Bill taking his turn.

Grandpa finally gets his chance.

Grandpa let miss Olivia indulge in a lot of chocolate and cookies. Grandparent's prerogative, I suppose. :)