Fall/Winter School Pictures

This morning I realized that I forgot to share the once again, incredible school pictures Nico had taken a while back. The pictures were shot back in the beginning of November, but we just received the prints two weeks ago. I am continually in awe of how this photographer can capture Nico so well on camera, and this time around was no let down.

Christmas Day

Seeing Christmas through the eyes of your own child is an absolute blessing. I know there are only a few years in which a child really believes in the magic of Christmas so I hold these memories very dear to my heart and want to never forget them. Watching Nico's eyes light up when he came down the stairs was an experience in itself. I loved see his excitement as he discovered the cookies and milk were gone, that his stocking was full, and something special had happened while he had been sleeping. We had a wonderful day overall filled with lots of playing, cooking, eating and laughing, but most importantly, the house was filled with love. It was a perfect Christmas, and I am thrilled for next year when Nico's little sister joins us.

Here is a video of Nico coming down the stairs on Christmas morning:


Here are some, actually a lot, of the pictures capturing Christmas 2011:

Christmas Eve

The anticipation of Christmas certainly had been building up for Nico. Christmas Eve was almost as much fun as Christmas day itself...almost. To start, Gigi came into town, which is always a cause for celebration around this household, then we made lost of cookies, cakes and other goodies to get ready for Santa's arrival, as well a new decoration to hang on the tree.





One of the treats we made was a Christmas tree shaped birthday cake for Jesus. And what do you do at every birthday party? Sing "Happy Birthday" of course! Nico was given the privilege of blowing out the candle on Jesus' birthday cake, but we told him Jesus was watching and smiling down on him for being such a sweet caring boy.



The evening of Christmas Eve we of course went to church for a candlelight service to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ, our Savior. In order to keep the service a "family celebration," there was not child care provided. So we braved church service with Nico in tow. However, instead of being bored and obnoxious during service, like I know my brother and I were whe we were kids, Nico sang and danced, participated and enjoyed the overall service.



When our pastor asked for all the kids to come to the front to hear the Christmas Story be told, Nico joined the other children (all whom were older than him) at the front. Ed and I were so taken by surprise that Nico not only went up there with other kids, but that while walking down the aisle he turned around and waved at us! He was completely comfortable in this new situation and we could see as we watched Nico from a far, that he was listening and paying attention to the story being told. At one point, our pastor told the children about an angel coming to see Joseph in a dream, and Nico, who had to be the youngest child in the group, spoke up and said something (we could not hear him) about his own dreams! The pastor recognized what Nico was saying and Incorporated it into the lesson!
I tired taking a picture or two of Nico during this, but kept the flash off as to not disturb others, so excuse the gritty picture.


At the end of the service candles around church were lit for Jesus' birthday. Nico had his own candle and held it while singing like such a big boy. He even waited until the end to blow the candle out with everyone else. Needless to say, this Momma was very proud of how respectful and understanding her little guy was at church.

After church, we all loaded up in the car drove around looking at Christmas lights. This of course has been one the most fun parts of Christmas for Nico, and thankfully that night, although drizzling, Big Tigger was up in action for use to pause and look at. Everyday he has wanted to take a walk around the block or even a drive throughout the neighborhood looking at the Christmas lights and fixtures in every one's yard.

Before the night's end, we had to get ready for the jolly old St. Nick to pay us a visit.


Santa came quite promptly, eating the cookies and milk Nico left him, loading up the Christmas tree for a very special little boy and leaving Daddy with a job to do.