Snow Day!

Our hopes for a snow day came true today and Sam got to experience his first snowstorm. We slept in and Ben made blueberry pancakes, which Sam loved. He still has blueberry stains all over his hands. Then we bundled him all up and took him outside to play in the snow for a little while. We sat him on the front stairs and after a couple seconds, he just sort of leaned forward into the snow. He didn't seem to know what to think at first...then he liked it...and after about 10 minutes or so, he decided he was finished with it. Looks like we're going to be doing more of the same tomorrow with more snow and ice coming tonight!

Checking out the snow in the backyard

Mmmm...blueberry pancakes!

What a handsome dad!

NDA Girls Get-Together

This weekend, a friend from high school, Beth, had a bunch of Notre Dame grads and their babies over for a playdate! It was a lot of fun - Sam had a blast with the other kids and loved playing with Gavin's toys. I was able to catch some of Sam's buddies for pictures....

Lia, Laura K's youngest

Ben Reeves, Ali's oldest boy

Sam and Luke, Melanie's son - Sam didn't try to punch him this time!

Sam checking on a casualty of the push toy

Holiday Fun

Well, I'm finally getting some pictures from Christmas up on this blog! We had a great first Christmas with Sam - he seemed to actually be excited about getting some new toys and definitely enjoyed all the tissue paper and ribbons. Ben and I had two weeks off to enjoy with him. It sure was hard to get back into our work routine this week! Rachel, Gammon, and Jackson visited the weekend before Christmas. We spent Christmas Eve with Ben's mom, Christmas morning at our house, and Christmas afternoon at my parents'. The holiday really takes on a whole new meaning when you have a child to enjoy it with - can't wait until next year.

Cousin Jackson and Sam with their new toys

With Grammy Will at church Christmas Eve

In our Christmas PJs! We're going to force Sam into this tradition until he's 18. He looks thrilled about it already.

Sam with Daddy's gift: sports balls

Digging through his stocking

With Nana, sporting his new hat and caterpillar

Nana showing off her funny new nightshirt from GGM

Sam thinks Papa Jay is pretty great.

Jamming on his piano table

Santa Sightings

Sam had two visits with Santa this weekend - both with very different results. A sorority sister of mine, Laura, her husband, Josh, and her son, Joey had a Christmas party and Santa showed up (actually Laura's father). There were about 10-15 kids at the party under the age of 4, so there was a LOT of excitement about this event. Sam was in complete awe - no crying - just lots of staring. He even sat on his lap and stared right in his face. So....we decided to take him to Kenwood Mall to get a picture taken with Santa today with high hopes. That didn't go quite as well. He was great until we sat him on Santa's lap; then the tears started. It seems pretty typical - the 4 year old in front of us and the 1 year old behind us both threw fits! Poor Santa - what a job!

Trying to get Ben Reeves' attention

Sam was fascinated by the "big kids"

Santa's so close! (that's his leg and sack of toys)

Okay! I think I'm ready to get off Santa's lap now!

Chilling out with Ben

The official 2008 Santa picture - Sam is clearly uncomfortable with this situation!

Photo Session

Stephanie Carson, our wedding photographer, came to our house around Thanksgiving to take pictures of us and Sam. Of course, Sam ended up teething with a runny nose and was quite a difficult subject for Stephanie. I was amazed when we saw the pictures and she managed to get some fantastic ones of Sam! Here are a few of them...

Many Thanks on Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving this year. We spent the first half of the day at Ben's mom's and the rest of the day at my parents' house. I think we ate our weight in turkey, green beans, pie, and potatoes cooked any possible way. Sam loved every part of it...snoozing on the drives and eating like never before! He really took the eating part of the holiday seriously. He loved the turkey, cranberries, and even ate the oysters at Sue's. His favorite was the taste of Cool-Whip he ate off of Papa Jay's finger, though! Ben and I have so many things to be thankful for: wonderful and supportive family, stable and satisfying careers, and a very delightful little baby. Life is GOOD!

Enjoying some pre-dinner conversation, consisting of screams and fake coughs, with Carrie and Uncle Paul

Grammy Will made quite a spread of food!

Time to eat some oysters!

Open wide!

Thanks, Grammy Will! It was delicious! Gotta run - I have another meal to get to!

Getting some cuddle time in with Papa Jay and Nana before meal #2.

Yet another successful Thanksgiving dinner

Hahaha! Time to unbutton my pants - bring on the pumpkin pie!

Climb Every Mountain!

Sam tried climbing stairs for the first time this week! He had never noticed the stairs before, but once I set him on the first stair, he figured it out right away. I realize showing him the stairs was probably a big mistake, but he sure had fun.

I did it!