Highlights of Christmas 2009

I can't believe that Christmas has come and gone already! Our string of celebrations began the 19th of December when we celebrated at Greg's parents home with the Sheely side of the family. It was a wonderful afternoon of delicious ham, great company, and the entertainment of Noah and James attempting to open, and help everyone else open, gifts. Noah even got a Disney "Cars" Snuggie!

On the 20th Noah had his very first church Christmas program, "A Birthday Party for Jesus". From the moment he woke up that day, he was telling Greg and I that he was not going to sing, and that he was not going to stand with his class! He did stand with his class and maybe sang a few notes here and there. He was pretty funny though as he was trying to show everyone how he can balance and jump on one foot for the majority of the program. Check out the video below!



After making the decision and committing to going to Little Falls and Miltona for Christmas Eve thru the day after Christmas, we learned that there was an impending Snow Storm...so we packed up and left Rochester on the 23rd. We were in the car roughly 5 hours (usually a 2.5 hour drive) and saw about 5 car accidents (one of which was a truck with a camper that was completely tipped on it's side). We were determined to make it though, and did without a problem. Jen's cousin, Chris, and his wife Stacy along with their two boys also came to Little Falls that night. It was beyond entertaining to see Noah and Carter play. They are three months apart in age.

Christmas Eve we made the trip to Miltona. The roads were still a bit difficult to travel but we rode with my Dad and Sue. With plenty of time to spare we attended the five o'clock Christmas Eve service. My Grandparents church has moved since I was a little girl. I remember many Christmas Eve's walking across the street from my Grandparents house to the church. We now have to drive but it is still a small, "country church". It brought back many memories of going up during the children's time and the pastor knowing who I was, seeing the same organist year after year, and finally, with candles lit, Silent Night in the dark church. It was so great being back in that, "place" and sharing that with Greg, Noah, and James. I will admit it was not quite as peaceful having to chase James through out the church or remind Noah 500+ times to be quiet, but overall it was perfect. Christmas at the Salvog's also included Bingo! Greg even got to give Grandpa a break and call numbers.

Christmas Day we woke up at Grandpa and Grandma's and headed home after dinner(lunch). We made it home with enough time to spare that Greg and I took the opportunity to go to a Christmas Movie. The Little Falls theater seemed so small and run down after going to theaters in Rochester for so long! It was fun, however, to hear high schoolers behind us telling stories of some of the teachers I once had.

My sisters, Jamie and Julie, along with their families made it to Little Falls on the 26th to celebrate at our Dad's and Sue's house. We had some yummy roast beef and the kids opened gifts in what I would call mass chaos! It was a fun time. Noah loves any opportunity to play with his cousins! We were planning on making the trip home that evening however the roads were still not great so we stayed one more night and finally got home about 3 pm on the 27th. 5 days and 4 nights later we were all somewhat in one piece. James had tummy problems for over a week and besides diapers and wipes we are also lacking sleep and patience. This has gotten a lot better over the last few days.

We've also begun the process of weaning him off of nursing and onto Whole Milk as his birthday was Wednesday. This has gone pretty well, although Jen is still pretty sore, and he has even slept through the night for two nights in a row! We are definitely enjoying that change!!

Greg and I both have had this week off and have taken the time to get our lives back in order, and spend some time together as a couple and as a family before Greg starts classes again! So far we have watched a movie or two, gone sledding, got James' one year photos done, visited Greg's Grandma Davis, and RELAXED!

We thought you might enjoy some photos from our past few weeks.