santa baby

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas-time. Things have been i-n-s-a-n-e since I last blogged!

Here's a little of what we've been up to...

*Opening packages: love my Twillypop necklace- thanks AFS & Sara!! :)

*My dad got back from Qatar.

*My mother-in-law retired from Fort Bend ISD!

*My mother-in-law celebrated her birthday.

*Christmas Eve at my in-law's house with the Kennedy clan.

*Christmas at our house with my parents, my brother, and my in-laws.

*Christmas on Boxing Day with the Clark family at my in-law's.

*My dad celebrated his birthday.

*I got sick. (Zicam dissolving tablets are the worst EVER!)

*Liam is LEARNING!

*And... you can call be Betty Crocker, because I baked my little booty off in my beautiful kitchen!

{pick your poison: gingerbread or sugar}

{mmmm, buttercream}

{the experience}

{my favorites- my nutcrackers!}

{gingerbread village}

{gingerbread village- so much fun!}

Liam has been a kook and a half lately- it's silly to keep telling you that he's coming alive, he's changing so much, he's growing so much, he's this, he's that... because it's obvious. He's just a joy and I thought I'd share a few pictures first of him being a goof ball before I move onto his first Christmas.

{this just plain cracks me up.}

{goof ball.}

{this boy loves his kitty. look at the joy on that face.}

{mixing oatmeal one day, i turned around to see him doing this...}

{and he knows what to do with it. scary.}

Liam had a wonderful first Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve having a slow morning around our house while I cleaned in preparation for our family coming over the next day. THat evening we headed over to Zach's parent's house to celebrate Christmas with Steph's side of the family. It was so much fun to see them all- Little Justin was in from California with fantastic news: he's going to be deployed again but NOT to Afghanistan! Hooray! Instead he's doing a Pacific Tour and we couldn't be happier. Bo and Valerie were also able to make the trek from Florida. Bo doesn't get much time away from the flight school, so it was special to spend time with them. They spend every second in Texas doing something. Between their two families, and planning their wedding long distance, they have a lot to worry about. Steph arranged for her best friend, Liam's Uncle Ross, to come over and play Santa for Liam, Jackson, Lindy and Aiden. Christmas is, and has been, a huge big deal for the Kennedy family. When Zach, Bo and Justin (big Justin) were little, they always had a special visit from Santa on Christmas Eve and they've resurrected the tradition for the little ones. It's very special- Santa brought each child one present... and even thought I doubt very much that Jackson and Lindy will be "believers" for much longer, they'll keep playing along. They were a joy this year. The Dostals dropped by to let Santa Ross bring Holly a present so that made the whole Santa ordeal even merrier, because the house was jam packed. Santa also brought along his wife, Miss Trish and his son, Matt. So special. Liam was kind of scared, so Zach sat on Santa's lap with Liam in his... cracked me up.

Christmas day was spent at our house- my parents, my brother and Zach's parents all came over to spend the day. We exchanged presents, fawned over Liam, made a fabulous breakfast (thanks, Mom!), fawned over Liam, watched the big boys play with Liam's toys, more fawning, watched the big boys play with their remote-controlled cars, fawning... made shrimp chowder for dinner.. .it was fantastic to spend the day with my family, in our new home. I wouldn't have traded the day for anything! Liam CLEANED up. Seriously. He got Spike the Dinosaur from my mom and dad, and the Polar Express Lionel Train Set from Zach's parents. Zach and I got him a few age-appropriate toys and a lot of clothes from babyGap. So cute. Zach got a Flip camera and a monitor for his super computer from me and Liam and he went above and beyond with my present. I adore it- seriously, it may be the best present ever in the history of ever in my book. He's so good. It was a wonderful, wonderful day.
(and i totally already spent my Christmas money @ Ashley Brooke Designs. Can't wait for these to arrive!)

{liam with his present that came from the Haaviks- he had the most fun opening this one!}

{with his train.}

{watching his train-he could have watched it for hours!}

{playing with his slinky dog from toy story.}

{watching his spike the dinosaur. we love this toy.}

At the Clark Family Christmas, Liam got to meet his cousin, Madelynn. Madelynn was born 4 months after Liam, and we're so excited to have these two so close in age. Madelynn is the daughter of Zach's cousin Jason and his wife Charlene- Jason and Zach are looking forward to having their kiddos at Aggie football games together (in the future... when the 1000's of dollars you have to pay for season tickets are worth it...). It was so special- so exciting to see these two together! Liam actually has cousins his age on the Clark side of the family and it's such a joy. Now, we found out that Liam is getting another cousin in July! Hooray!

{liam and madelynn with aunt cari}

{one happy aunt.}

FINALLY (promise)... here are a few things we've got on our plate:

{liam is *this close* to learning to crawl. he can get up on his hands and knees, he can rock back and forth, he can get his hands moving... oh lordy!}

{we sat up by ourselves!!!!!}

{... and we know what bowls and spoons are for.}