Let the Celebrations Begin!

Sorry to be posting so late, last weekend started our holiday celebrations with friends and family. We were not as good as we could've been with taking pictures, we'll have to remember that as the festivities continue on the next week. On Saturday we celebrated Christmas with Uncle Paul, Auntie Katherine, Ben, Abbey, and Juliette. Juliette is already 4 months, I can not believe it! Joey and Abbey played well together. Unfortunately the only pictures I have are of Joey and Abbey playing with his gift- a blender which has become his new favorite toy!

Sunday morning we went to breakfast with Auntie Pam, Auntie Trisha, Auntie Christy, Andrew, and Grandma. Auntie Pam, Auntie Trisha, and Auntie Tiffany (who we missed that day) updated our holiday decorations with Jillian's name. Last year they made the cutest advent calendar of Santa with Joshua and Joseph's names on it, as well as a Santa plate and cup for milk and cookies. They added Jillian's name to complete and they look perfect, thank you! Joey had a fun time playing with Auntie Trish's lotion, pretending to put it on everyone's hands. I think he's seen mommy put on hand sanitizer a little too often. (During his diaper changes he reaches for the sanitizer and rubs his hands together.) That afternoon we went by Nonna and Grandpa's to celebrate Aunt Brooke's graduation from her PhD in psychology. Again we were negligent with the camera, but Joey had a fun time with everyone. Congrats Aunt Brooke.

Tuesday night was the night we headed to the mall to see Santa. Not sure how Joey would do, Andrew braved the bearded man first. He was pretty hesitant and was clinging to his mom pretty well, but at least they got a good picture out of it. Joey on the other hand did not do so well. The video is great, but we only got one picture from the ordeal. Waiting in line Joey was having fun looking at the lights and decorations. He even watched Andrew sit on Santa's lap and didn't seemed phased by it. After Andrew was off, Joey ran up to Santa, bypassed him and went straight to his bag to take a look inside. Mommy picked him up to plop in on Santa's lap, but Joey grabbed on with all his might, hands, feet, head, he was not letting go. He was screaming and crying the whole time. Mommy had to hold him and sit next to Santa. In order to unwind from the traumatic moment, Andrew and Joey played in the play area of the mall for a little while.