Christmas #4

Christmas #4 was with Chris's dad's side of the family. We got together on the 28th for some yummy BBQ (Shelly made some amazing potato salad-which I had to have two humongous helpings of!)! Stacy & Stephen and their kids were there as well. John loved following the big kids around, and Shelby loved playing with him. Kristen thoroughly enjoyed baby Ben. She was even able to get him to fall asleep on her, which was a big feat, b/c he was not too fond of anybody but mommy holding him. It was fun watching Chris's dad, Penny & JR receive the gift that the kids got them. Stephen had made a coffee table with a glass top over rocks in the shape of a Longhorn. It was pretty cool! Unfortunately I forgot to bring my camera to take pics, so here are pics from Christmas 3 1/2!
Christmas 3 1/2 happened Saturday the 27th. I call it 3 1/2 b/c I had no idea we were going to be receiving presents. Chris's grandma, Aunt Pat & Uncle Don, their daughters Kathryn & Emily, and his cousin Holly came over to see baby Ben. Unfortunately Ben was in one of his "moods" where he didn't want anyone holding him except for mommy, so each one held him for brief moments. Kathryn did the best and actually got him to look at her and hold her gaze. He even started copying what she was doing with her tongue (sticking it out, curling it). But as soon as he heard mommy, he was done. Silly boy!

John opening his presents: books!!!!! He loves to "read", and I love that we aren't the only ones encouraging it. I have always wanted a book of all the nursery rhymes, b/c I couldn't remember very many, and apparently Pat & Don read my mind, b/c not only did John get that exact book, but also a book full of children's tales (Goldilocks, Hansel & Gretel...)



Uncle Don read "Goodnight Moon" to John. He was quite the little ham, laughing his deep little "Huhuhuh" laugh. The girls thought it was hilarious, which of course made him do it even more.


While his family was here, Chris was off and on working on installing his Christmas present to me: a new kitchen sink!!!

John trying to be daddy's little helper, handing him wrenches and such!

Checking out different parts trying to figure out what they are for.

And then deciding to just do it himself!!!