A Quiet Christmas at Home!

We had a quiet Christmas at home--Just the 3 of us this year! Although the day was wonderful just hanging out and being together, we certainly missed being with extended family...It just didn't quite feel like Christmas without all of the chaos!

Our friends snapped our family Christmas photos this year during a visit to Bass Pro's Winter Wonderland where Wy saw Santa for the first time!

Wyatt hanging out in his PJs after the Christmas Eve Service, opening a package and voice recorded card from Mimi and Poppy! They sent him one of those neat Hallmark cards that records a message...We listened to Mimi and Poppy's message over and over again...I'm sure it's almost worn out!!! : )

Reading Christmas stories together on Christmas Eve!

Our little drummer boy! Since the 3 Wise men presented Jesus with 3 gifts (gold, frankincense and myrrh) we decided to set the tradition in our home of giving our children 3 gifts on Christmas too. This is our attempt to help keep the giving Christ-centered (and to help Mommy and Daddy not go overboard with spending!!! ; ) Wyatt's 3 gifts for 2008: 1. A toy box (This one was for Wy and for Mommy!) 2. Super Why Book and DVD collection 3. His most favorite of all: the Bee Bop drum set!

An Early Christmas Vacation!

Wyatt with Cousins Daxton and Ashtyn!

We hit the road on Dec 12 (Poppy's 60th---Happy Birthday!) for Kansas City to celebrate Christmas with my side of the family. We decided to play it safe and drive through the night to keep our little man on schedule...It was a struggle for Joe and I but Wy didn't make a peep the whole 9-hour trip so it definitely was worth it! We had so much fun with Poppy, Mimi, Uncle Trent, Aunt Brianna, Cousins Ashtyn and Daxton, and Papa Great and Grandma Great. Wyatt also got to meet his his Great Uncle Galen and Great Aunt Helen who came all the way to KC to deliver some darling outfits to the kiddos that were handmade it Guatemala! We also got to spend time with my long-time friend Christa and her boyfriend Nate. My good friend Gretchen had a baby girl, Leighton, who we also had the privelage of visiting during our stay! We made it to a Chiefs game, to visit Santa Clause, were able to spend time at Trent and Brianna's new beautiful house (and finally beat them in a game of Rook!). It was a wonderful time! I'm hoping the others got good photos because I didn't get my camera out nearly enough. But here are a few shots I captured...

Mimi with her 3 favorite babies!

A big kiss from Ashtyn! With Papa and GG

Bright and early Thursday morning we set out for Iowa in hopes of beating the ice storm. We made it in plenty of time and were able to get some good time with Uncle Jay and Aunt Jenn and visited both Grandma and Grandpa at work before the storm blew in. Unlce Joel, Aunt Jen and Cousin Ellie got caught in the middle of the storm but made it for lunch on Friday! We all had a great time together until...Joe came down with a horrible flu bug and passed it around to the rest of us!

Proud Grandparents with their 2 grandbabies! I love the same look of boredom on both Wyatt and Ellie's faces... "Are we ever gonna be done with photos?"

Uncle Jay and Aunt Jenn... I didn't capture a good photo but Wyatt just adored his Aunt Jenn... She is such a natural with babies! I guess Wy gets his stature from Uncle Jay! : )

Aunt Jen and Cousin Ellie with Joe and Super Wy

Feisty Wy "eating" Ellie's fuzzy pink socks! Wyatt and Ellie "picking" on each other!

Santa Baby is 9-Months-Old Already!

Santa Baby has sure given us new excitement for the season!

Wyatt has really made the Christmas Story come to life this year... He has been a constant reminder of the precious gift that baby Jesus' birth was and is to the world.

Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree!

Wyatt LOVES the bright lights on the Christmas tree and all of the fun ornaments! With his speedy log roll, it's an all-day effort to keep him from pulling down the entire tree on top of himself. Here are a few pics of him admiring his tree!

No Longer a Vegetarian!!!!!

For most families this would not be a moment worthy of much attention, but Wyatt's first bite of meat was a milestone for his daddy! Since I do not eat any meat (and haven't since my 7th birthday!), Daddy was very concerned that his "little warrior" just might follow in my footsteps. Why this is such a big deal, I haven't a clue, but Joe was determined that his boy was going to be a meat eater. And I assured him before our son was born that I would not "withhold" it from him. So Wyatt had some chicken and MMMMMM it was delicious!!!!!!!! So for now, our little man is no longer a vegetarian! ;)

Giving THANKS!!!!

Today was Wyatt's first official Thanksgiving (last November he was snug as a bug in my belly!). Last year Joe and I were giving thanks for the little boy who we adored but hadn't yet met... And this year we're giving thanks for the spunky little man who has completely expanded our hearts with his presence!!!!! We had a wonderful day, just the 3 of us, spending time together at home. We hung out in our PJ's and watched the Thanksgiving Day Parade, went outside for a run, ate lunch at Cracker Barrel, and attempted to put up the Christmas tree. Wyatt was completely mesmerized with all of the bright lights! Wy enjoyed rolling across the tree skirt and picking up all of the tiny pine needles from the floor. I think we'll get out the ornaments once Wy is fast asleep! We are increasingly thankful for the Lord's GOODNESS!

Having sweet dreams on Thanksgiving morning!

Enjoying his Thanksgiving Day Sweet Potato Feast!

Mesmerized by all of the bright lights on the Christmas tree!

"Helping" us decorate!

Grandma and Grandpa McCulley's Visit!

Grandpa, Grandma, Wyatt and Joe

Grandma and Grandpa McCulley drove from Iowa to Indiana to visit last weekend! Well, Wyatt was still a little...No, A LOT under the weather! So Grandma and Grandpa got to see Wy in his finest moments!!!! He was one grumpy little bear the first couple of days...It was so pitiful...The litte man just wasn't feeling good. FINALLY, on Sunday afternoon Wyatt started to feel better and gave Grandma and Grandpa a few bright smiles before they headed out on Monday morning. Of course, he's been on the mend and as good as gold this week! Thank so much for coming to visit you two! It was great to see you and spend time together. Thanks for loving the little man even through all of the tears! : ( Hopefully you'll get to see his true "colors" at Christmas. Can't wait! Super Wy sends you lots of love...

Wy caught a BUG...

Our poor little buddy caught a horrible bug last week...It was a rough week, to say the least! Mommy took off work one day, and Daddy the other, to take care of our sick little man. He was so pitiful and grumpy and snuggly and so darn cute and just as feisty as ever! He's been on the mend the past few days. Mommy is so THANKFUL to have her healthy, happy baby back!

Mommy and Wyatt recovering after a LONG night...

Wyatt and Gabbi "resting"... Ok so Gabbi was resting in the boppy and Wyatt was playing!

Getting some much needed slumber. Ahhh, so peaceful!

All bundled up to go see Dr. Gold!

As feisty as ever!

Still SMILIN'

Our Eight-Month-Old!

It's so hard to believe that our little fella is 8-months-old already!

Wyatt is mastering many new feats...From doing a log roll clear across the living room floor chasing his ball, to feeding himself puff cereal (and giving his puppy several pieces), to screaming at the top of his lungs in protest when we take something out of his hands! He is learning to communicate very LOUDLY--He is full of grunts, growls, and all kinds of crazy noises!! The little drummer boy POUNDS on everything (there is certainly nothing gentle about our little warrior!). Wyatt definitely has a very EXPRESSIVE personality, to say the least! Our eight-month-old now has 4 pearly whites (the lower ones didn't phase him a bit but the top ones made for a semi-rough day!) One of Wyatt's silly quirks is to repeatedly hit himself in the chin over and over again with his right fist! Daddy thinks he's gonna be a bruiser for sure. : ) Wy continues to be a very BIG boy, now wearing mostly size 12-18 mo clothes, still 4 months away from his first birthday! : ) Wyatt continues to captivate our hearts each day with his bright smile and pair of dimples, contagious laugh, and overall zest for life! Even though Wy says, "da-da-da-da-da" all the time, Mommy is still crazily in love with her little man!!!!

Do you see 2 of my pearly whites???

Showing off all 4 front teeth! Eating his puffs!

Rolling after his ball!

Loving his puppy!

Wy sure LOVES his cousins!

My mom, sister, and niece and nephew came to visit this past weekend. Oh my...Wyatt sure LOVES LOVES LOVES his cousins! Cousin Ashtyn had him laughing ALL weekend. He didn't even mind the bumps and bruises from her rough housin'! : ) I thought Ashtyn was going to feel left out with the 2 little boys, but she still ran the show!!!!

Cousin Dax, Aunt Brianna, Mimi, Cousin Ashtyn, Bel and Wy

Cousin Ashtyn entertaining Wyatt

As you can see in the following 2 pics, the boys liked being held at the SAME time!

Daxton turned one on Nov. 3rd! We were able to celebrate with him... Big sister Ashtyn decorated a beautiful and tasty cake for her lil brother!!!!

Birthday boy blowing out the lonely candle!