01.01.12 - So long, Santa!

It's New Year's Day and we're starting to take down Christmas decorations. It's fun to play with some of them one last time.

12.16.11 - Santa

Nate wasn't interested in meeting Santa tonight. He got his candy cane and that's all he wanted.

11.25.11 - Tis the season!

Nate enjoyed seeing the big Christmas tree at Bradley Fair tonight while standing in line for free carriage rides. It's become one of our Thanksgiving weekend traditions.

12.26.10 - Christmas Day, Part II

The day after Christmas is always reserved for Gramma Karen and Grampy Keith. We gathered at their house where Maddie and Nate loved playing with all their new toys with their cousins Emerson, Savannah and Taylor. Keaton's around there somewhere. He might be hiding in one of those huge stacks of gifts!

12.25.10 - A K-State Christmas

Today was more Christmas fun. After opening gifts from Mommy and Daddy AND Santa, we headed to lunch and MORE presents at Grandma and Grandpa Shepherd's house. It was our first holiday in their new house. And even though Nate had a full day, he was all smiles late in the evening when he modeled his Daddy's K-State Santa hat with his new K-State jammies.

12.24.10 - Christmas Eve

Today was our busiest day of celebration. First, we celebrated Maddie's second birthday with bagels for breakfast and pizza (her choice!) for lunch. Then, after naps, we headed to Nan and Pop's for Christmas Eve. Nate didn't care so much for this outfit but did like all the toys he got!

12.23.10 - Christmas outfit

Nate wore this adorable sweater vest to Christmas at Grandpa Greg's tonight. He loved opening his first package.

12.22.10 - Guess what, Nate!

Christmas starts tomorrow!

12.18.10 - Now, THIS is Santa!

After careful research (read: asking Facebook friends), we found the perfect Santa tonight. This older gentleman decorates his entire yard with lights, dresses up as Santa and sits in one of his sheds which he calls "Santa's workshop." In fact, the entire place is called "The North Pole." An elf greeted us at the gate and Santa gave Maddie and Nate both a new stuffed animal. I have no idea who he is and I don't know that I'd have remembered him (we went there a few years ago with our former Little Brother) if it weren't for a couple of friends who knew of him. He represents the true spirit of Christmas and the best part is that he's on the south side!

12.17.10 - You're not Santa!

As Buddy the Elf would say, "You're not Santa!" That's what it looks like Nate would be saying if he could talk.

12.16.10 - Oh, Christmas Tree

Nate says, "What Christmas tree?"