Greetings!

 Hope you all had a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Here are some highlights from our holiday.

Ben showed us his crazy new smile and crawling moves on Christmas Eve.

Our boys in their matching jammies, made by Momma.

Who needs presents when you have these super cool booties on your feet? lol

"I think I hear Santa on the roof, Mama!"

(These last two photos were taken at 4am when Ben decided he was way too excited for Christmas to sleep any longer.)

Christmas morning in our matching pj's.

Ben gets SO excited when he sees the tree all lit up!

We skyped with my family back home. :)

And Ben started opening his many, many presents. He immediately gave this stuffed animal a kiss.

When I was growing up, I always thought the claw was the tastiest part of the lobster. I'm glad to see Ben thinks the same!! (LOL)

"The stocking were hung o'er the mantle entertainment center with care."

Grammy and Grampy Manning came to visit, so I made them some special stockings as well. I never got around to getting names embroidered, but I do like how they came out. If you're wondering about the crazy flamingo stocking on the right, it was a special request from Tim to "make it look crazy and different and special". (It's a long story...)

 This photo was taken about a week before Christmas. I was about to wrap Meg and T-Bone's new dog beds when I looked over and saw this. Stinker!
"Oh look, Mama! Santa came early this year!!"

Ben was fascinated by our decorations.

Grampy really hams it up for the camera.

As does Grammy!

Look at those heirloom-quality Shaker boxes Rick made by hand!! They are gorgeous. This picture doesn't do them justice. He formed each one around a special mold, and then fitted each lid specifically to fit that base. What a special gift!!

Ben enjoying Christmas dinner.

"Mommy says this is the way to use a spoon..."

"...but I think this side tastes just as good!"

So happy to be sitting at the table with his family and friends.

There was no shortage of Christmas smiles from Ben. :)

 

It's not a party without friends!

 

After dinner, Ben checked out some of his Christmas loot.

T-Bone got in some snuggling time with Grammy.

Someone slept well that night! 

"Thanks for my presents, everyone!"