Pretty Paper 2011

We loved opening the mail in December, we got to see so many beautiful families, thoughtful messages and we especially loved the cards that gave us a chuckle! I am sad to see my mailbox dwindle down to bills and junk mail, but we still have the cards up to make our playroom merry and bright!

This was our Christmas card choice for 2011 and we couldn't have been happier!

Oh and don't forget the bling that was on the card, so festive and fun!

Cajun Christmas

 We woke up Monday after Christmas and Jack went straight for some more of his new toys. While he might have been a little overwhelmed on Christmas Day, he for sure is putting all the toys to good use now! 

Jack has two names for these dinos..."Rawr" & "Spikey" ..so cute. 

 Jack is pretty much the Hungry Hippo champion around this house... although its pretty funny that he has already tried to be a little sneaky toot and thinks he is being so clever by using his hands to put the marbles in the hippos mouth while at the same time pushes the lever.

 We were keeping busy as we were anxiously awaiting my family from Louisiana and Colorado to arrive! We were so excited when they got here and Jack loved every minute of having his cousin, Toni Rose to play with!

Kevin holding Evie while everyone got settled, I think Daddy would love a girl :) 

 

 ha ha Jack is so funny! Check out that face! Trying to see what TR had going on!

Such a lovely photo with all the cousins + iPad... toot!

 

 We did another round of Christmas and we loved seeing little TR's face light up with joy when we spoiled her with dolls galore!

 

We decided that we were done cooking and so a trip to Rudy's BBQ was on the agenda!

  and after we were so full, couch time was just in order for us all! Jack took to Uncle Dan right away :)

 Once these two recharged their batteries they were back to playing and jumping!

 Such a fun day and now that TR lives just a few hours from us in Louisiana we can't wait to do it again! Now if we could just get Aunt Vonnie and Uncle Dan to move from Colorado!

Geaux to bed sweet angels!

Christmas Afternoon

 Well if I thought the morning was over the top... the afternoon was another Strehlow/King event that would provide for hours of unwrapping, laughs, good eats and fun games!
We got cleaned up from the morning...

and you guessed it more bouncing occurred. 

 and Jack was busy playing with his new toys..

 which gave us time to set the table!

 Oh I would have loved a beautiful family picture on Christmas...

 but this is what I had to settle for...because someone was TOO busy with his new toys to take pictures!

 My beautiful grandmother!

 Oh darling Jack we could have had a four generation picture... but nope, you just were not interested!

 

 because you were busy bouncing! ha

 Grandma & Gpa Strehlow arrived and spoiled us with a bus load! Thank gosh Jack was there to help...

 My grandmother and Mom had a little surprise for us all and dressed up as Mrs. Claus and Santa's Elf...so so so much fun!

 oh dear, look at all these treasures....but at least we tried to be green as Grandma Strehlow took the bags back so we could recycle them for next year!

 Jack had a hard time in the afternoon, with a missed nap and so many people...he wasn't as attentive as we would have liked, but that's ok, we have many more years to get him used to our Christmas traditions! He did however love this mega phone that Grandma & Grandpa Strehlow picked up.... and funny that we actually needed to use this a few times to get everyone's attention! ha

 Aunt Stacy & Uncle Joe might be the reason for getting my husband into shape! He has been playing XBOX Kinect every night since ...jumping up and down, punching, bowling and balancing on one leg.. he is all over the place with this box!

 Several hours into this fun, we needed a break ... so we moved over to indulge in food!

 We finally did get through all the presents and a big thank you to everyone! 

I just wish we had my Dad and the Wisconsin/Ohio family could have been with us too! Maybe one Christmas :)

Its not a gathering without a go round of the game Loaded Questions... it's such a simple but fun game that everyone can play with ease!

 ...and guess who won? Mommy!

It is so nice to have such great families that blend together so easily! That is truly a Christmas blessing!

Christmas Morning

 Jack woke up around 8: 30 am and came in bed to snuggle with us for a few minutes until I reminded him that Santa had come ...

and this is what happened once he ran out..he tested everything!

We did Christmas morning with just the three of us and we sure had a great time! 

We didn't want for much, we might have gone a little overboard...

but this is how we do it, and I'm ok with that :)

And so in pictures here is how Christmas morning unwrapped...

Shout out to Lawren, my amazing bestie who adorned me with Kendra Scott and Mamas sippy cups!

 (yes he kept taking "bounce" breaks between gifts..ha)

 

 Taking another break for a little breakfast fruit on his new table.

 And that sums up the morning......quite a haul if I say so myself! 

What a good year it has been and we are all so thankful!

Jackson was born on June 25th, so Christmas marked his 2.5 year mark and we couldn't have had a better morning. I'm not sure how we will top this, but we shall look forward to many more 1/2 year marks!