Nana's 50th Birthday/Boxing Day

Nana's Birthday (Jay's mom) is the day after Christmas, and this year she was celebrating her 50th Birthday. We started the day off by going to Elmo's Diner for Breakfast and doing a little shopping at some small shops nearby. Then we headed home for some down time to relax and later went over for her to open gifts followed by us going over to Jay's Aunt Julie's for a Wertis Christmas celebration. We all had a blast getting to see everyone and enjoy some Yummy Ravioli Lasagna. Jack had a blast playing with his Cousin Lucy (Jay's cousin Sidney's Daughter) and they are only about 6 months apart and were very cute playing together and following one another around. I will have to try and get a hold of a few pictures from this day.

Christmas Day

We started off our Very Busy Christmas with just the 3 of us (daddy, mommy and Jack) opening Christmas presents at home while listening to Christmas Music. Jack was quite funny over the course of opening these gifts. At first he tore into the wrapping paper but would stop for a bit not realizing that there was something in the wrapping paper. Once he started to realize the whole idea of it he got into it and had a blast. It was such an awesome experience for us as as parents to see him enjoying himself so much.
We then Headed over to the Watson's for Christmas with them and got Sean from his mom's house to Join us in celebrating over there. We had a wonderful breakfast and got to also celebrate with not only Jay's parents and sister but also Jay's Grandparents (dad's parents) and Uncle Eric. Everyone enjoyed themselves and Jack spent most of the morning "sweeping" the floors with his new broom Nana and Umpa got him. He had a blast with the broom and was not so happy when we had to put it away to head out. The four of us went home and Sean opened his gifts at our house from Santa and us. Jack was so wiped he just crashed in Jay's arms. Then it was time to take Sean back to his mom's and for the 3 of us to head over to the Sprissler House. That was quite a crazy afternoon with there being a total of 10 of us, but it was a whole lot of fun. We did all of our gift exchanges and enjoyed relaxing and spending time together. We had a wonderful meal and then enjoyed watching Jack play with his new toolbench from Gramie and Papa for Christmas. We headed home that evening and I can say that the 3 of us were exhausted by the end of it all, but it was so worth getting to see everyone and to have a great time.

Christmas Eve

We brought Sean to his Mom's house Christmas Eve around lunchtime and ran out for a few small Christmas things we forgot. Then we went to Jay's parents to visit with his Nana and Bob (his mom's parents) for a little bit and to celebrate Christmas with them. We then came home and tried getting some of the christmas presents together under the tree to save us from having to do it later that evening. Then Daddy, Mommy and Jack joined the Sprisslers at St. Francis for Mass. It was nice that all of us were able to be at Mass together. Then after mass We headed to the Watson's for our annual Christmas Eve Dinner or Heavy Appetizers and just hanging out. Jay and I realize how lucky we are that our parents get along and we get to spend Christmas Eve with both sets of parents. Then we headed home so we could get some sleep before our busy day we had planned the next day.

Santa Visit #2

I decided that I'd really like pictures of Jack and Sean together with Santa. Sean wasn't super happy with this decision so I tried to explain to him that I wanted pictures of the 2 of them together the first time Jack went to see Santa. It was a funny experience like the first one cuz Jack was just talking away to Santa so I figured he was fine and handed him to Santa and sat next to him but he didnt like that idea and got upset so i held him and joined in the picture with Santa. Then of course Jack was back to telling Santa Ho Ho Ho!! We were able to snap a few pictures and be on our way.

Sweet lil Jack in his Adorable Reindeer Outfit getting ready to go see Santa.

Jack trying to say its Santa!! Followed by his excited "Ho HO HO!!"

Mom I know I'm obsessed with Santa but that doesn't mean I want him to hold me.


But i do wanna talk to him and tell him HO HO HO!!

Shopping at the Mall and Santa Visit

Jack and Mommy met Aunt Courtney and Gramie at the mall to go shopping for Christmas presents!! Jack was such a good lil boy and behaved the entire day of shopping...from like 10 am until after 4pm~~ So thankful to have such an easy going lil guy!! Of course we couldn't be at the mall without a visit to Santa. This was technically Jack's 2nd encounter with Santa. The first was at a picture studio when Jack's friend Maddie was getting Christmas picture done and he was obsessesd with Santa and was talking to him. He reached for Santa to hold him and then proceeded to pull on Santa's Beard...of course I wasnt allowed to take his picture! So while at the mall we went to see Santa. Jack was very antsy wanting to see Santa (Ho Ho Ho!!) and seemed very excited when it was his turn and walked right up to Santa and was talking to him. Well I should have just gotten him to turn around and get his picture but instead I picked him up and set him on Santa's lap and got out of the way for the picture....yeah Jack wasn't so sure about that one.

Jack patiently waiting for his turn to see Santa.

Jack headed right to see Santa as soon as I put him down!!

Jack wasn't so sure about Santa after Mommy put him in Santa's lap!!

Get me away from Him!!

Mom I know I'm obsessed with Santa but I dont want to sit in his lap.

Marbles with Jenny & Maddie

Today was a busy day for Jack and I. Jack got his 2nd H1N1 shot this morning. Then we headed to downtown Raleigh to meet up with our friends Jenny & Maddie! We met them at a great children's museum down there called Marbles. We try to go and meet them there as often as we can because we both have memberships and the kids have a blast together. They are really cute watching each other doing things and then trying to do what the other one is doing. Then, Jack and I went to meet Gramie, Aunt Courtney and her friend Kaity for Aunt Courtney to try on a few more wedding dresses and show us the one she liked best (the one she ordered and will be wearing for her wedding!!!). Jack as always had to flirt with everyone around him!!

Weekend of Christmas Parties

This weekend was a busy weekend of Christmas Parties for us. Friday nite we started off by going to our friends Kristen and Nick's house for a potluck dinner with some of their friends. Jack had a blast running around and looking at everything and playing or reading with different people. He's very good in new situations and is very friendly. Of course when it was time to go he had to give everyone there a high five...of course it helped that they all thought it was so cute. Saturday we went to look at Wedding Dresses with Aunt Courtney, Gramie and 2 of Aunt Courtney's friends. Jack was quite the flirt!! Saturday evening Mommy went to a Tacky Christmas Sweater/Cookie Exchange party with some of her Mommy friends. Daddy and Jack hung out together at home and played and watched Follow that Bird (please note that even after Jack fell asleep Jay continued to watch!!).

Jenny (Maddie B.'s Mom) and Ashley

Beth (Emily's Mom), Marie (Maddie J.'s Mom), Ash

Sunday was another busy day for Jack. Jack and Mommy went to a Mommy/Baby Christmas Playdate at a friends house. We all bring a dish to share and the kids play. It was so fun because all the babies have gotten so grown up and most of them are crawling or walking around now!! makes for quite a busy playdate!! All in all it was a really fun and busy weekend and great celebrating Xmas with different groups.

Jack of Course had to check out their Christmas Tree!

Jack and his Lil buddy Nicolas "Reading" Together!

Jack and Liam trying to figure out how to sneak outside!!

Jack and His friend Maddie! They like to put each others fingers in their mouths but Maddie now has teeth so he got a little bit of a surprise this time.

Jeremiah, Maddie and Jack! Three of the older Kids!!


Trying to get a picture of about a dozen kids under 18 months is quite interesting to say the least!!

Group Shot of the Moms and Babies (this worked a lot better then the babies only shot!)