What a year...

As the year draws to a close, it is time to reflect on the many blessings we have had in 2008. Rather than rewrite them all out, it is enough to say we have been very fortunate and look forward to growing and learning in 2009.

Thanks for checking in on our journey and may you have a happy new year :)

Candylane

Yesterday, Abuelos, Pat, Alex and I went to Hershey Park's Candylane. We took a bus from LMCPC and Alex LOVED riding on the bus. On the way there, Alex spent most of the time looking out the window and shouting out whatever he saw.

Once there, Alex DEMANDED to go on rides. Unfortunately, the lines were crazy long for most rides but we did get Alex on 2 rides, got some food, saw a short play and reindeer, and took a quick visit to Chocolate World.

Overall, a nice experience but probably one we will not repeat until Alex is much older and can go on more rides and handle standing in line :)

Thespians unite!

For Christmas, Abuelos designed a Puppet Theater for Alex :) Now Alex is an active character with his Santa, Pirate, Policeman, Fireman, Builder, and Doctor. It is all too cute :)

Says it all :)

I believe this picture of Uncle Johnny, Aunt Michele, and Alex tells a lot about the interaction between Pat's siblings and Alex :) Hopefully everyone had a blast because I know we did :)

Garvey getting together

Saturday evening, the Garvey's came over for dinner. Alex did great with Nana and really enjoyed playing remote control police car and garbage truck with Kate and Sarah.

Carr Christmas

On Friday during the naptime, Alex, Pat and I traveled to West Chester to be with Pat's family. We arrived at Mimi's house and were greeted by Aunt Megan and Mimi. Later, Uncle Johnny and Aunt Michele and Aunt Kate joined us via the train. We had pizza and then opened presents. Alex received LOTS of firetrucks/man items and enjoyed playing with everyone. Saturday, we went to Gramps for lunch and enjoyed spending time :)

Christmas Day

Christmas Day, Mammaw, Magnee and Pap joined us for lunch. After lunch, Alex demanded we opened presents, napped, and dessert :)

Geo-trax...all aboard

On Christmas Day, Alex's favorite toys were his geotrax trains. EVERYONE had to play trains ALL day :)

Presents

Alex's comments when he walked into the living room were "Presents, for me?," "Oh dear," and "Wow." Opening presents took 2 hours because after opening each present, Alex wanted to play/sample each one for 5-10 minutes. His goldfish crackers were shared with the rest of the family before Alex sampled.

On the stairs

Christmas morning, Alex woke up at 7:30am very happy but very unaware of the Santa deal :) He waited on top of the stairs while everyone else got up. Going down the stairs, Alex yelled "Hi Santa", assuming Santa was still here.

Before...

Santa was very good to Alex... here's a shot of the living room before Alex :)

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve, the Donaldsons came up for a dinner. We started off with talking and Rock Band and then hit the meal. After the meal and Jesus's Birthday cake, we opened presents. Alex, again, made off like a bandit. From Aunt Laurie and Uncle Steve, Alex received a Hungry Catepillar doll, book, and quilt.

Icy Weather

The past few weeks has brought some wintry weather. After a short ice storm, Abuela and I went out for some landscape shots. Hopefully I will add them to a web album...at some point :)

Christmas magic

In York, the National Park Service has a wonderful Christmas light display. Abuelos, Magnee, Pap, Mammaw, Aunt Hon, and us visited on Dec. 20th. It was a COLD hour walk but the lights were beautiful and lots of fun :)

sledding

One Thursday evening it snowed and Alex and I went out to enjoy it :) We were able to sled on a nice icy snow. We did 5 runs that made it all the way down to the volleyball court. After the 5th run, Alex walked part way up the hill, turned to me, and said "Mommy, you go up. I stand here and watch you go down." Needless to say, that was the last trip :)

potty update

At times, Alex does well on his potty.... hopefully someday he will completely get it :)

Shaving Fun

Since Pat got back from his training, he and Alex have been shaving before baths.

Advent

My Aunt Kim and Uncle D gave Alex a LEGO advent calendar this year. Alex LOVES counting down the days 'til Christmas and playing with all the different creations. His favorite is a "police" helicopter. Along with the felt advent calendar, Alex has something new to do each day in anticipation for Christmas or Jesus's Birthday:)

Tag game

Alright...from the Kolmus Blog..."Go to your 5th folder of photos and take the 5th picture and post it."

This picture is a collage I am using for Alex's great-grandparents' scrapbook...(sshhh! Christmas secret). It is a cool application from Picasa where you select pictures, the program creates the collage and then you can tweak it. This 5th, 5th picture is a selection from our trip to Ocean City, MD when Pat was taking the Bar exam. It was a fun time with interesting memories :)

Thanks for the idea, Jim!

Santa Claus

Today, we spent our first family morning in 2 months! Pat, Alex, and I went shopping....fun, right? First we went to the Gettysburg Square. While Pat picked out a lawyer suit at TS Mensware, Alex and I walked over to Santa's Shanty. Alex didn't want to sit on Santa's lap but told him he wanted "food and a lion" for Christmas. The generous Santa gave Alex an orange and a chocolate Santa lollipop. This earned Santa many hugs!

Afterwards, we went to the North Hanover Mall to shop some more. While I got my hair cut, Pat and Alex did "Mommy shopping". Then we had a nice family meal (non-McDonald's) and saw Santa. At first Alex wanted NOTHING to do with Santa but to see his toys and stand next to him. Then once Daddy started to hurt himself, distracted, Alex sat on Santa's laugh and smiled for Christmas card pictures :)

Now, my boys are soundly asleep, it is snowing (and laying), and I am working on Christmas cards :)

Tia and Cookies

During Tia's visit, we made cookies! Tia wasn't impressed but seemed to enjoy distracting Alex from all the sugar. They played well together and read many stories. Alex wasn't too happy when Tia had to go visit Joe in AZ.

Benner Christmas

With Tia in the area, the Benners gathered on Nov. 30th. Most of the family attended the 8:30 am service at LMCPC and then went to Mammaw's for brunch. The kids decorated Mammaw's Christmas tree, we ate good food, talked, and exchanged presents. It was a great to see everyone before all the craziness!

Thanksgiving

For a recap...Thanksgiving Day, Alex, Abuelo and I spent the morning outside raking leaves. After naps, we started the turkey and Abuela and I were able to work on preparing food for dinner. It was nice working with Mom in the kitchen :) For dinner, Alex entertained Pappy, Magnee, Mammaw and Abuelos. He kept everyone on their toes until the Incredibles came on at 8 pm. After that, all his attention was directed at the TV. He was very engrossed. At the end of the movie, when the robot was destroyed, Alex cheered and clapped for the Incredibles :)

Overall, a nice Thanksgiving!

YEA!

My little family is back together and complete! Pat got home safely at 3:33pm. on Saturday and we preceded by Tia who arrived at 1pm. Abuelos have a FULL and active house :) It is fun!

More pictures and updates to come... just a little later ;)