Archive for January, 2009

Christmas 2008

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 by Jen

This year we went to my dad’s family in Harrisburg. It was a long car ride both there and back but Josie did relatively well. Unfortunately on the first morning it took us a long time to get going, everything takes forever when packing for an extra person who also demands tons of attention! We stopped at a new favorite, Reins Deli in Vernon CT:

Rein's Deli in CT

Rein's Deli in CT

We had a wonderful meal at Cousin Sue and Jeff’s house on Christmas Eve. Josie got to meet the huge dog Zeke, she tried to kiss him, but they weren’t too sure about one another.

Josie playing with the dog toy

Josie playing with the dog toy

Jordi and Josie by the tree on Christmas Eve

Jordi and Josie by the tree on Christmas Eve

Josie and Jen on Christmas Eve

Josie and Jen on Christmas Eve

Karen, Jen and Josie on Christmas Eve waiting to leave for church

Karen, Jen and Josie on Christmas Eve waiting to leave for church

As always it was a bountiful Christmas morning, although since we had opened a lot of gifts the previous weekend, gift unwrapping didn’t take all morning into the afternoon. Josie did a good job walking into the room to amazement at the gifts being , which is a family tradition that I have thankfully outgrown having to do.

Walking in on Christmas morning

Walking in on Christmas morning

Christmas morning unwrapping

Christmas morning unwrapping

As usualy Josie was initially shy with everyone, but after a day or two she started to warm up and really enjoy everyones company. Phoebe the cat was very friendly too and Josie kissed her frequently. The other cats made themselves scarce.

Cousin Ally and Abby with Josie

Cousin Ally and Abby with Josie

Josie and Abby

Josie and Abby

Sadly all good things must end and Saturday morning we packed up and went home. The trip home was shorter but not particularly easier. We had a lot of toys to amuse Josie with in the car but we still stopped frequently for changes and leg stretches. We stopped at McD’s for a potty break rather than BK so Josie could enjoy her first playplace. We sent Jordi up in the climbing structure with her, she did seem to really enjoy it. The fries would have been much better at BK, but we made the sacrifice.

Aunt Diane, Uncle Todd, Cousin Abby, Cousin Ally, Jordi, Josie, Jen and Grandma

Aunt Diane, Uncle Todd, Cousin Abby, Cousin Ally, Jordi, Josie, Jen and Grandma

McD's playplace

McD's playplace

Josie on the keys

Saturday, January 3rd, 2009 by Jen

Check out my dad’s blog for a cool video of Josie tickling the ivories.

Party traditions

Friday, January 2nd, 2009 by Jen

Now that we and a lot of our friends are getting the hang of being parents, some of the party traditions are reemerging, like pumping carving and holidays. We enjoyed the hospitality of Saru, Justin and Ryan and got to watch the kids have a ball and quibble over toys. We bought Josie’s new push cart and Rody over because she had just gotten them that afternoon and so we wanted to share. Worked out well as there was lots of excitement for both Ryan’s and Josie’s push and ride vehicles. Josie even gave Lilia a nice ride on the cart. Josie repeatedly seemed to want the same toys as Jace who is over a year older than her, she seemed to give as good as she got at least and neither were worse for wear. It is so neat to watch the different ages and developmental stages of each of the little ones!

The big unwrapping

Friday, January 2nd, 2009 by Jen

Saturday before Christmas and Hanukkah we opened gifts from people who weren’t at our holiday destination. There just wasn’t room in the car for all the loot. Josie had gotten some practice unwrapping gifts at my birthday and so she started to really get the hang of it. Unfortunately the time between pulling paper off and putting it in her mouth was still very short.

Jordi enjoyed making a fort out of Josie’s presents before she opened them. He remarked how he used to do it with his presents and realized it’s not that he got fewer now, it’s that they’re just generally smaller. Baby toys are big!

You can pick your friends…

Thursday, January 1st, 2009 by Jen

Apparently Josie has not heard the old addage that — you can pick your friends, and you can pick your nose, but you can’t pick your friend’s nose — because she is imitating me cleaning her congested nose and sticking her fingers up her friends’ noses. Ewww

It snowed!

Thursday, January 1st, 2009 by Jen

Last weekend we got some major snow. Some fun photos with the dramatic light! It’s rough staying inside for so many days in a row. Sadly, we were so busy getting ready for the holiday we didn’t manage to take Josie outside to play in it. We won’t miss the next opportunity.

Snowy day

Ezzy at the window