Christmas Round 3!

Fianlly!  Our visit from Grandma and Granpa Wood.  :)  It went by all too fast, and now all of our Christmas celebrations have to come to an end.  But, as always, it is fun to look back at the pictures even just a day after the Christmas fun has come to a close.  Grandma and Grandpa were great about just jumping in and playing with the kiddos.  :)  That really helps Gabriel get over his shyness quickly.

Gabriel had so much fun doing play-doh with Grandma.  She would tell him to push, push, push the animal cutters and he would push really hard, and then she would tell him to wiggle, wiggle, wiggle them to get the surrounding play-doh loose.  He would wiggle back and forth in his chair.  :)

Remember way back on Sept. 11 when I posted about a picture to come of Grandpa Wood and Lorelai?  Well, here it is!!!  :)  He finally got to meet his Granddaughter.  And I must say she is soooo her Grandpa Wood's girl.  And I'm pretty sure she has her Grandpa wrapped around her little finger.  :)  


Both kids enjoyed opening more presents.  :)  (Although I didn't get any pictures of Lorelai with hers because I was helping her unwrap, and Brian was helping my parents assemble toys for Gabriel.  What can I say?  It was busy!)

This car is so cool and is definitely a top contender for favorite gift this Christmas.  He can disassemble and reassemble this truck over and over again.  And what little boy doesn't love power tools?!

See what I mean?

The annual silly Grandpa in a bow picture.

Gabriel and Grandpa discussing the best way to assemble Mr. Potato Head.

Gabriel enjoyed watching videos and pictures on Grandma's camera and on her iPhone.

Both of my parents were a big help around the house and with the kids while they were here as always.  Here is my dad cracking hazelnuts for a delicious recipe I have eaten, but have not had the chance to make yet as the nuts are seasonal.  Yes, well, I went to toast them, got interrupted by my son and they burned.  BOO!!!!  So, now I have to wait until next year to attempt this recipe again as I am not paying exorbitant shipping fees for 8 oz. of hazelnuts.

Marissa, Chris, and Kase came over to meet Lorelai as well.  It was great seeing them again.  I'm bummed that I didn't get a picture of any of them, but Gabriel became ill (after being fine all day long) and was vomiting all over the place so we're lucky I got any pictures at all.  This headband and tutu was their gift to Lorelai.

The sickie.  Poor guy.  He doesn't seem to have much luck this time of year.  First the elbow and now the winter vomit virus.  Even my mom had a mild version of it again while here.  He's still not feeling too great.  We thought he was on the mend yesterday, but today he hardly ate and getting him to drink was difficult.  So, I'm hoping tomorrow is better.
I must say that I enjoyed all of our Christmases.  Sure there were a few hiccups, but Gabriel was so fun to watch open his presents, and of course it was Lorelai's very first Christmas celebration(s)!  ;)  But, being with my family was the most fun of all for me.  I miss them terribly and hope that someday we live close to them.  They're such amazing grandparents!

Also, Gabriel has been exploding with word usage while my parents were here.  By no means is he "talking" on a regular basis.  But, he answers questions almost always with yes or no.  Tells you no when he doesn't want you to do something (rather than just pushing you away or crying).  He has been saying all kinds of words in general, and I often here him slipping in phrases like "come here" when he's playing on his own with his toys.  YAY!!!!!!!  The Ped. said it would start happening around the age of 2 so lets hope he keeps this up.  :)