The Whole World In Our Hands...: December 2011

On the 26th, we packed up and went and stayed at the Ann & Allan's to celebrate Griffin Christmas on the 27th. We were really excited because Alec and Nicole were here from Korea and Andrew and Tamar were here from New York. I think it's important for Aaden to get to hang with his aunts and uncles that he doesn't get to see very often. And we love seeing them too!

Aaden slept great when we were out there - he slept all night long and then took a 3 1/2 hour nap the next day - it was awesome!

We had fun opening presents, playing games, eating good food and just hanging out enjoying the time with the family. Aaden got a lot of great gifts - some repeats but that's ok (duplicates are perfect for keeping at grandparent's houses!). One of his gift from Alec and Nicole was a soft baseball that he just loves!
I'm sad that we only pictures we only took a few pictures-

And I'm REALLY sad that we didn't get a single picture of Aaden with his aunts and uncles. Big time fail. :(

He had a great time playing with them though during the week they were here!! Lots of peek-a-boo and chasing around. I wish the visits weren't so few and far between. We love you Alec, Nic, Bub, Tamar and Sis & Harley (you guys were missed!) ♥

1/12/12 - Look what I found when going through my camera!!! I didn't know that Alec and Nicole took pictures with Aaden with my camera - I'm so happy!

Aaden loved Christmas this year. He still doesn't get what Christmas is all about but he is starting to get the gist of what presents are. I think he likes the act of actually opening the presents more than finding what's inside the wrapping. He has fun ripping the paper and pulling tissue out of bags. That being said, there were a few gifts that were opened that he got really excited about - even did the beyond excited, "oooooOOoooh!" at some points! I love when he does that - it's the happiest sound ever and fills me with joy.

We planned on staying at my Mom & Kenny's on Christmas Eve so Santa came to our house early on Christmas Eve Day and delivered Aaden's play kitchen while he was napping. When he woke up, we showed it to him and he was excited but not nearly as excited as the play food that came with it! I got some great videos of him and his reactions to the kitchen and the food.

His new Kidkraft Red Vintage Kitchen!

Great job, Santa!

In the evening we all went with my Dad over to Fisher's house for a bit and there was a 2 month old baby there - Aaden loved him. He kept offering his blanket to him which really melted everyone's hearts. After Fisher's we drove to San Juan to go to the Pagaran's for a little while. Again, Aaden was the center of attention and everyone loved him. We wrapped up the evening at Aunt Krissie and Uncle Danny's where Aaden had an absolute blast dancing naked in the living room while getting changed into pjs - everyone was cracking up! We drove to Mom and Kenny's and watched a movie and then called it a night.

Aaden did not sleep well that night so morning came all too soon. But it's alright - we were excited for Christmas! Santa came to Emmy and Papa's overnight (maybe that's why he didn't sleep well ;) ) and left some great gifts for Aaden! He got a great table and chairs set and some blocks and a toy drum. We opened stockings and then moved on to presents. Aaden took a long time to get through presents because he was busy playing with everything that he opened. I don't think he realized quite how many presents he had to open (and actually, he was still opening some a few days later because he never got through all of them that morning!). From Emmy& Papa he got a Wheelies set, clothes, books (a couple Matthew Van Fleet ones!), some play food and his favorite - some pots and pans for his kitchen that make boiling noises and light up. He played with those forever! From Uncle Brother he got a Fisher Price Little People Safari Jeep that he really likes and some super cute Woody (from Toy Story) pajamas. We got him books, puzzles, clothes & a drawing pad with crayons.

Sitting at his new table playing with his stocking stuffers

Playing with his Wheelies

Opening his Safari Jeep from Uncle Brother

(Love the nappy hair!)

Takin' a break to eat some cheerios

Being a goofball

Awww!

Christmas is exhausting!

Yep, sleepy boy.

Aaden took a nap while Kenny made breakfast and we all enjoyed some mimosas and opening the rest of our gifts. It was such a relaxing morning - it was perfect! When Aaden woke up he was ready for some good breakfast -

Enjoying breakfast at his new table.

I am not sure where his other sock went?

Breakfast with Clifford

After more ~~bummin' around~~ hangin' out and playing with new toys, Gam and Cory came over for a little while. Gam got Aaden the whole box collection of Beatrix Potter - it has about 20 books in it. So awesome! After they left, we popped the lasagnas in the oven and played Bingo for Bucks. It was so fun! Aaden was having a blast helping Emmy pull the balls out and put them in the tray. After Bingo, Aaden and I both took naps - which were much needed! We had a lovely dinner and then got ready to go to the Waller's to hang with the rest of the family.

We played Bingo again at the Waller's and one of Nikki's girls, Noel, was calling numbers - Aaden kept yelling out right after she did - it was hilarious! Everyone was getting a kick out of him. He was just being so silly that night! It truly was a great Christmas!

Pictures from the rest of the night:

With Uncle Brother