Christmas 2011 Memories Cont.

More pictures of Christmas!

Playing Grandma's piano on Christmas Eve

First dibs at presents

Holding Wally - he loves it unless we turn him on!

A broom!!!  YES!!!!!!!

I'm going to start cleaning right away!

A cart - Double Yes!!!!

Can you see me mom????

He wouldn't even sit still for a picture

Family picture #1

Family picture #2

Christmas 2011 Memories

This was essentially Charlie's first Christmas - as he was just less than three months old last year!  He definitely knew something was up, but wasn't quite realizing that the presents under the tree were his and that he got to finally open them.  Sooo - Mommy did the opening and Charlie played with the toys!  We will definitely be teaching him the real meaning of Christmas and why we celebrate Jesus' birthday, but seeing as he doesn't quite understand, it was all about getting Auntie Crystal out of bed while Mom and Dad slept in a little bit longer.  That's right - we didn't even get up with him on Christmas morning.  My guess is that will change next year!!!

Anyway - here are a few pics from the Christmas season!

Seeing the Christmas tree for the first time!

Dad - did you see this??????

Can I touch it??

I had to sneak this picture in - I love this new shirt!

Bow-tie fun!

He would not look at me ;)

Christmas Busyness

Its getting close to Christmas - and we've been busy!!!  Ever since getting home from our vacation, we have been in 'go' mode.  Whether its catching up on work, getting out the Christmas decorations, buying and wrapping presents, catching up on more work - we've been busy.....every nite :)  Plus, I don't know if you've noticed, I've have tried to be better about posting :)

And we are going to keep going through the weekend too!  But it is fun and I love it.  So, in an effort to stay one organized momma, I haven't transferred pictures from my camera to the computer - which means no new pictures.  Just a few more fun ones that I edited.......

Train going past my parent's house

On Grandpa's tractor - he is going to love going for rides next year!

Oh Grandma - you're silly!

Charlie wanting to see the camera....

Our loveable boy!

Ha!!!  You can't make me wear my cap!!!!

Pictures.....

I have been a little frustrated about my pictures lately.....Not so much with the camera side, but with the editing side.  I decided to purchase Lightroom and oh my.......I already have so much more fun and I barely know a thing! :)  I really need to take a class and get more set up - but what a difference. 

By the way - I have rarely edited my pictures before putting them on the blog......Took too long and I just didn't want to take the time.  But - I've been in editing mode the past few days. 

Here are some samples :)

Horse back riding

We finished off Washington with the day in the rain (and Georgetown cupcakes) and then headed for Colorado.  We celebrated Thanksgiving with the usual yummy food and then did some shopping to take advantage of the sales.  BUT - in the middle of that - Charlie was able to go horseback riding for the first and second time in his life!  I had to get on with him the first time, but the second time a few days later, he went with Grandpa and was quite happy.  I'm hoping we might get a little more horsey time in this Christmas.

Charlie also loved wearing Grandpa's cowboy boots.  He thought he was rather stylish!

That's right - I'm so cool!

Momma - There's a horsey!!!!

Oh - I like horsey's!

Grandpa - his nose feels funny!

Guess what we found while waiting for the horses to be saddled???

First time with Grandpa - a little unsure!

Momma - I want you!!!!

That's better!

YES - Grandpa's boots again!

What's that - no, it can't be time for bed yet!!!! :(

Capitol Hill and more....

Monday called for more sight-seeing.  We headed off to try and take a family picture in front of the White House and then walk by the Canadian Embassy on the way to Capitol Hill.  I've decided that family pictures are tough with toddlers......  The parents can't talk - we have to look at the camera and smile hoping that our little one will also look at the camera and smile.  We tried.

We eventually made it to Capitol Hill.  Today Charlie didn't want to sleep - which made for a not so fun tour of the building :)  We survived the security check - Auntie Pookie barely did.....Lets just say we weren't particularly fond of throwing out food and water bottles (the re-usable ones).  AND to top it off, anything that was Charlie's was allowed through - incuding a HUGE 7-11 cup from the day before.  Huh???  (and the big cup was not Charlies.....)

After Capitol Hill, we headed to the Air and Space Museum - and on the short walk there, Charlie fell asleep and slept through lunch too.  He didn't miss everything and again, woke up in time to see some airplanes.

By the end of the afternoon, there was a light drizzle, so we walked a half hour home in that and then headed out for dinner.  It was a good day - but definitely the most challenging of all days!

And now for some pictures :)

This was during our Capitol Hill tour.  I think I had finished feeding him his cheese - tried to do that secretly.  He was hungry and tired.....Notice the half grin :)  Lets just say I was trying to keep him happy and not listening to our tour guide at all!