Bartsch Family Christmas

We have just returned from Christmas in Portland with my family. It had been many years since both my brother and I were able to celebrate a full Christmas with my parents in their home. It was absolutely fabulous to have ALL of us home with our spouses and all! We partook in Christmas Eve festivities (clam chowder dinner and 11pm candle light service). Aaden did wonderfully, staying up until 1am without a nap or even a rest before church. We opened our stockings in bed Christmas morning and had our traditional butterhorn breakfast before opening our gifts.

Aaden was in awe of everything, it was so fun to watch Christmas through his eyes. From the love of hearing The Hallelujah chorus and candles in church to the lights on the tree and loving butterhorns! My mom made a beautiful prime rib and ham with all the fixings and my grandparents joined us for dinner. The rest of the week was spent visiting with friends and family and (praise God) a wonderful cardiac check-up for my brother.

And to top it all off we arrived home to several inches of snow and Kristofer still has four days off!

Here are a few pictures from our trip (happy to report that I got Lightroom for Christmas so am excited to have made a few edits before posting)!

 Christmas Eve PJs

 Butterhorn breakfast

Mexican soccer jersey boys!

His tent was a huge hit!

Master parker

 Our Christmas pup!

 I got a sewing machine!!!

 And the boots I wanted, horray!

Dobelstein Family Christmas

Sunday we had the annual Dobelstein family Christmas. Gramma NeeNee' went all out as usual and had a lovely ham dinner. Aaden had fun looking at all the decorations at their house and playing with Brody their dog. The camera sat idle most of the day, but a few photos were snapped.

Truck loads of food...yum!

Lovin' on Uncle Kelley

Loved the bubbles from Auntie & Uncle Tim

In 3-D

Happy to just read books :)

That is a suspicious look!

Loves to be read to!

Date Night

We had another fabulous date night on Friday thanks to Unkie Jonner (my brother) and Auntie Megan. They came over to watch Aaden, make Christmas cookies and drink hot coco. Aaden was in heaven as he had been asking for them to come over all week! Kristofer and I headed to Château St. Michelle for the Dynon Christmas party. It was a lovely venue for the evening and we enjoyed some good wine to boot!

Festive Fun

Aaden and I decorated a gingerbread man today. He had fun poking his fingers in the frosting and of course eating the candy.

Christmas with {Auntie Lacey & Uncle Tim}

Kristofer's sister Lacey and her husband Tim came to babysit Aaden on Saturday evening. We had a party to go to so were glad that Auntie and Uncle were willing and able! We had a great time and were thankful to have them also spend the night. It was special to be able to have them go to church with us in the morning and come home for Christmas brunch. We also exchanged a few gifts! They stayed through steak dinner. It was so fun to have them here the whole weekend even though they live only a few minutes away. Such a great couple and it is evident how much they LOVE their nephew. We love it!

 "Thank you Auntie"! Kisses

 Special pictures I took at the Arlington Fly-In and "antiqued" for Tim

 20 questions to find his next gift!

 "Wow! An airplane, found it"!

Aaden can't get enough of books, was so glad to have willing readers!

Creative Juices

Today we continued our crafting by making headbands, pins, door hangers and more. Here are a few of our creations.

Couldn't Resist

I ran to Bartells this evening to return a movie and happened to see a little Christmas tree for $6. I always loved having my own little tree to decorate as a kid, so I bought it for Aaden. Turns out he LOVED it! We decorated it with the lights and ornaments that it came with and he stood by it giggling and pointing at it for at least 30 minutes. I don't think I've ever seen him so excited and proud! We caught a few of the moments on photo:

 Anticipating!

"Star"!