Christmas Again!

New Year's Day my whole family-Grammy, Pop, Uncle Joshua, Uncle Caleb, Andrea, and Chelsea-came in town to have Christmas with us. We weren't able to go see them, so they came to see us! It was so great to see all of them and to be together once again. This was Caleb's first time to see his nephew and Joshua had not seen him since he was first born. While I was fixing dinner, Caleb, Dad, and Eli spent some quality time together.

The three kids (Amanda, Joshua, and Caleb)
and their significant others (Josh, Andrea, and Chelsea)

Josh and Andrea

Caleb and Chelsea

Caleb and Eli

Joshua and Eli

Joshua and Caleb started playing the "Who's Your Favorite Uncle?" game and Joshua decided to add a little incentive to make Eli pick him. He'll have to do better than one dollar bill to really win though. Pull out the big bucks, Uncle Joshua!

Dad decided to play Santa and pass out the gifts to everyone. I gave him this Santa hat and then realized that he looked A LOT like an elf. LOL! We grabbed our resident elf, Elfis, and compared the two. What do you think?

Dad and Elfis

We each took turns opening gifts. Let's just say that Eli won the "Most Gifts" award. I think this is a trend that will continue for years to come.

The Hallmark ornament that Grammy and Pop gave Eli.
Super Baby!!

Short story behind the next gift...back home, my pastor's kids made a video sing-a-long series called "The Best Buddies." It was a great little kid's video that taught Biblical truths through song. I don't know anyone that went to my church or school that didn't know at least one Best Buddies song. Just recently they compiled all the old videos and made them into a DVD that they just released in our church's bookstore. Mom knew she had to get me a one. I opened it up for Eli and immediately started laughing. Josh had no clue what the gift was so I started to explain who the Best Buddies were to him. Then I decided to sing him the theme song from the series. I started to sing and the rest of my family joined in to finish it. It was funny that after all these years (about 15!) we still remembered all the words. I think Josh was a little goobed out by us, but we had a great laugh. Ahhh, memories!

Eli and his Best Buddies DVD

Picture frame for Josh's office

Caleb modeling his Old Navy fleece

Mom said from the day he was born that she and my dad were going to get Eli his first pony. He got his first pony for Christmas this year. His name is Alfalfa...so cute!

Showing off the book Mom and Dad gave Josh, "Be Prepared: A Practical Handbook for New Dads." This is a hilarious, yet, practical book on the ups and downs of being a new Dad. Here's an excerpt from the chapter "You Are the A.V. Club":

"Being a new dad, you're expected to have an innate knowledge of electronic gadgetry. Whether you're an A.V. geek or a confirmed technophobe, the job of documenting your baby's first year will likely fall into your hands."

That's just a sampling but it gives you an idea of the humor that is found throughout the entire book. A must have for any new dad!

Picture frame from Caleb

Digital picture frame from Mom and Dad

This bag matches Eli's nursery

Picture frame from Andrea

Eli and his first golf bag from Grammy and Pop

Eli finally had enough of all the excitement and took a little nap on Caleb.

The entire family :)
Eli had just woken up and was wet and hungry so he wasn't a happy camper