Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Christmas! Finally!

Our Christmas season started with a trip to see Santa! It was soooooo easy this year. Santa came to Dane's preschool during a pancake breakfast fundraiser. It was a very calm and comfortable environment compared to the mall last year. Even so, Dane did not know what to make of the man in red. Erik was fine and managed to pull Santa's beard pretty hard. Luckily it was glued on. Sorry Santa!
The weekend before Christmas, we had a quiet celebration as a family of four. We made cinnamon rolls and took our time opening presents. Dane was fun to watch this year! He noticed the stockings right away and was super curious about them. After he was done opening everything inside he said, "After my nap, I can do more stocking." :-)
Erik got a stocking too...full of practical things like baby lotion and bottle nipples! But he loved everything...especially the wrapping paper...
...and the bows!

Dane got a cozy coupe and LOVES it!!! The first thing he said is, "It's just like Katie's." And the second thing he said is, "It's a minivan." Ha ha!!!

Erik with another bow.
With some new books!
Erik trying to help Dane with the paper.
Such fun memories!!
Aw....sweet Christmas snuggle! Jammies off already :-)
The next morning we packed up the car and drove to Decatur, IL to visit Papa and Nana. The drive took about 10.5 hours each way. The boys did really well, which was amazing. They did have several poopy diapers though, so we had to stop a lot :-) Some highlights were: Erik getting TWO teeth, Dane learning to play pool, Erik meeting his great-grandma Hooten, spending our first night in a hotel as a family of four and seeing all our Indiana and Illinois relatives! Here are some pics of our trip...

The Hooten Clan.
Erik meeting his Great Grandma Hooten! She is such a positive woman - truly a blessing to everyone.
Dane trying to hit the ball.Erik trying to give Nana a kiss :-)Erik getting a bath in Papa & Nana's bathroom sink - perfect size for his little body.
Abby, Serenity and Dane in Papa & Nana's awesome new tub!Matt reading a book to all of us...staged scene, of course :-)
Papa with the Z boys (apparently Papa was the only one who could peel his eyes away from the exciting Max & Ruby episode on TV).
Dane trying out his new camera. It is awesome! It takes pictures AND videos. He is still learning how to use it, but wow, once he does he is going to LOVE it.
Erik enjoying a box!
We hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and is having a great 2010!!!


9 comments:

Mel said...

Oh you guys, it looks like you had such a wonderful Christmas! The boys are getting so big and growing up so fast...they're just the cutest! Love the pictures as always and glad you had a great Christmas! Miss you guys and hope to see you soon!!!

Sauter said...

Love the Christmas update - what a wonderful year 2010 will bring your fam!! The picture of Erik in the sink is ADORABLE!! Have fun in Colorado.

Hans-Dieter said...

I can't wait to see Dane's original prhotography posted on the blog!!!! Love the pics as always. Its was totally worth the wait.

Cathy Bolander said...

It looks like you had a wonderful Christmas! And our boys love the Cozy Coupe as well.

Nana said...

Great minds... it's amazing that you posted almost the same pics on your blog that I did on ours from Christmas at our house! LOVE the Santa photo!!! Miss you all so much! Loves...

Nana said...

P.S. Hans - you need to visit Hoot Family to see Shelly baking cookies in her Viking helmet!

J.J. Killins said...

aw shell it looks like you guys had an awesome christmas! i can't believe how big erik is getting but still so little, if that makes sense! how is dane going to be THREE!?!?

Woods Family said...

I LOVE these pictures - Erik is so precious and I want to kiss his yummy head! You guys really captured your Christmas together - that tree is amazing!!! Was it real?? I t was SO green!

Katie said...

Merry Christmas! Looks like you guys had a lovely holiday with family!

You have to tell me how you did the banner on your blog--it looks fabulous!

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