Christmas

Josh and I hosted the Carlson family Christmas this year per usual. Josh's grandma fell and broke her hip a few weeks ago, so Paul and Gail extended their trip to spend some extra time with her. Grandma Millie is doing well and was discharged from the temporary care facility on Friday. Paul and Gail wanted to make sure that she was able to get around her apartment easily. Nissa, Brian and the kids, and Brett and Kai and his girlfriend, Ashley, came up over the weekend.

All in all, it was a good holiday. And by far the best part was watching Jesper play with his Papa and Grandma, aunt and uncles, and cousins. :)

Jesper playing by the Christmas tree. Notice his eye? I accidentally dropped a lotion bottle on him earlier in the week and gave him a bruise! Worst mother moment to date.

Josh and Jesper relaxing

Grandma and Jesper

After several years of hosting, Josh and I have learned something new every year. The first year, we planned nothing. We had just moved in and didn't even have a butter dish. The second year, we planned a few appetizers but still left most of the meals to chance. We added a few blankets and an air mattress to the equation. Last year, we planned EVERYTHING and tried to make the bedrooms as comfortable as possible. The towels and bedding were a success, but the meals were incredibly time-intensive. And wow, did we have leftovers!

This time around, we planned a couple meals (soups on Christmas Eve, ham and potatoes on Christmas Day, appetizers for snacking), cleaned the house, and stocked the bedrooms and bathrooms. And amazingly, everyone still got fed and seemed to have a good time. :)

Playing in front of the tree. So many presents!

Jesper had a great time opening gifts. One of his favorites seemed to be the Curious George. As soon as it was out of the package, he was giving it hugs and kisses just like his mom and dad give to him. He also received a V-Tech alphabet train (we realized right away that it's a little too old for him right now), Gopher hockey clothes, a shape sorter, emergency vehicle stacking blocks, a see and say, pop-up plane, nativity set, Dino popper, and a ferris wheel toy. So much new stuff to play with! He's still figuring out a lot of the toys, but it's nice to have some variety for him. I think he was starting to get sick of the Playskool gears he's been playing with for the last 3 months. :)

Jesper also opened his gifts from Grandpa and Grandma Ratzlaff over skype. I miss my family over the holidays, but technology certainly helps me feel like I got to spend a little bit of the holiday with them.

Grandma Gail, Aunt Nissa, and Cousin Grace

Paul and Gail

Nissa and Grace

Brett, Brian, and Granmda Millie

Walker read Jesper his bedtime story. So sweet!

Grace and Walker

Josh and Jesper. It's WAAAY past his bedtime.

Turns out they don't make 18 mo. baby clothes that say "Baby's First Christmas", so I settled for a bib.

Christmas Eve

Playing with Grace and his new toys

Curious George - already a favorite!

More presents!

Ashley, Kai, and Brett

Nissa and Grandma Millie

Paul reading the paper

One of the highlights of the weekend was that Josh, Paul, Brian and I went to Gander Mountain's shooting range. I shot Josh's pistol for the first time. The target below was at 20 ft., and I was aiming for the upper circle. Not bad, huh?

 Merry Christmas to all and Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were bright!