Goodbye 2008, Hello 2009!

After spending one heck of a New Year's Eve with our "funnest" friends ever (Staniaks, Connellys, Foleys, Knutson's), here's how James spent the next day.....

Happy 2009 Everyone!!

Bucholz Family Christmas

So what's better than one wonderful Christmas celebrations??? TWO wonderful Christmas celebrations! After we returned from PA, we celebrated with Grandma and Grandpa Bucholz, Great Grandma Jean, and Aunt Terri. We had a wonderful meal, drank some wine, and had entertainment provided from James. That little man is always good for a laugh or two.
And once again, James was very spoiled. He received some really cool puzzles, books with CD, huge building blocks, a fleece jacket, and much much more! Thank you so much for everything! Mark and I are both blessed with wonderful families. We love everyone very much!
(I'm just upset that I forgot to charge my camara that evening!!!)

Merry Christmas to All...

This year was the best Christmas yet!!! I seem to say that every year...but it's just so special sharing it with your child. And since James was more "into it" this year, it just added to the joy,magic, and excitement.

Mark, James, Lenny and I packed up the family truckster and headed out east to spend Christmas with the Bathon's! We were there for a little over a week, and the time just flew by! Maybe it's because we had way too much fun?! And of course Poppa and Grammy just spoiled James to death and showered him with lots of love! On Christmas Eve, James was blessed with many gifts from his aunts and uncles including an Elmo sleeping bag, Ralph Lauren fleece jacket, remote fire truck (seemed to be the theme of this year's gifts..wonder why?), Looney Tunes DVD's, a Rockin Rollin Guitar, remote control Caterpillar Loader (just like Poppa's!) and many other gifts! He definitely received his much needed practice for his Santa gifts on Christmas morning! And Christmas morning...the gifts were never ending. Elmo Live, clothes that make my wardrobe envious, DVD's, puzzles, blocks, and the list goes on and on. Thank you Poppa and Grammy for making every Christmas so special...and for your continued generosity. We love you both and can't wait to see you soon!

GranMaggie

A few weeks before Christmas, we visited GranMaggie and Great Uncle Mark, downtown Chicago! We had such a fun evening and are thrilled to have them so close!! We spent a few hours talking and laughing at James while drinking some wine..then headed downstairs for dinner at Roy's. After a few glasses/bottles of wine, James learned a few new words. At the time, it was hysterical. It's just so funny how he knows the "perfect" time to repeat them. He drops a toy, "Oh SH*T". He gets caught giving Lenny once of his toys, "Oh SH*T". And the words come out clear as day. Oh well. That won't be the last time, and I'm pretty sure the children in my family grew up saying the same. We turned out ok, didn't we?! :)

We are anxious for our next visit with GranMaggie and Great Uncle Mark..this Saturday! We can't wait!

James' Hideaway

Here is James with his very first Christmas gift of 2008. Mark and I purchased this with the intention of saving it for Christmas. Well, we knew how much James would LOVE it and couldn't wait to give it to him...so here he is with his new tent early December! He takes his books in the tent....watches TV from the tent..and hides from Lenny in the tent. I think he'd sleep in his tent if we let him. And now that Uncle Daniel (Nan-ol) provided him with an Elmo sleeping bag, he's set! Only bad thing...the tent takes up most of our living room! Oh well...as long as it keeps him occupied!

Visits with Santa

James has been lucky enough to see Santa a few times already this year! I'm not sure how Santa has the time to be traveling, since Christmas is only a few weeks away?! Those elves must be working over time.

I thought James would be scared but he loved seeing him every time! The first time was at the infamous Foley Family Christmas Singalong. We had such a great time, and already looking forward to it next year! We spent time with the Connelly's, Staniak's, Knutson's, and Foley's. James even received a kiss on the lips from Reese! Could it be a love connection?! Also, he received his very FIRST Christmas gift of 2008 from Bryan and Kay! Thank you so much! He loves it!!!

The second was James' trip to Mommy's work. Santa was there, handing out presents to all the children. Above are pictures from both visits.

Mean parents???

So we had an issue with James continuously turning off the TV. He found it to be hysterical, because he would receive a reaction out of us...and run away laughing. Nothing seemed to work. We tried scolding. Didn't work. Time out....surely didn't work. He laughed the entire time. But this seemed to work...