Christmas Fun

Well, Christmas is over and we had a great time with our families. It was nice to spend time with family. Lincoln made quite the haul with gifts. He is spoiled. He got almost all toys from the Dempsey side of the family and almost all clothes from the Griffin side, so it was a nice little balance. Ryan's parents got us a camcorder for Christmas! We are so excited. We have been talking about getting one, so it was the perfect gift. We have probably already taken at least 15 to 20 videos.

We spent Christmas Eve with Ryan's family.

As soon as we got there Lincoln opened up his stocking.

He was so cute. He got some little soft blocks and soft plastic cars, he enjoyed them and trying to eat them (as he eats everything now). After the stockings we ate and then opened presents. Lincoln slept through the whole thing. After we were finished opening his presents he woke up and we showed him everything.


Once again he decided he wanted to taste everything.

Lincoln has been almost sitting up by himself lately, but on Christmas Eve is when he did the best without help. He still kind of leans forward a little bit, but for the most part he does pretty good at not tipping over.

After we were done at Ryan's family's house we drove to Port Huron. The roads were terrible. We probably saw a good 10 cars (probably more) that had gone off the road. It probably took us an extra hour to get there, but we arrived safely.

Christmas morning my family all woke up at 7 am (as is the tradition) and sat on the stairs to wait for everyone. We took a picture of all the kids and grandkids and then went to open our stockings. After we open our stockings we go into the family room where the tree is and my dad hands out the gifts to everyone.

Behind Michela's head you can see the kitties watching us open gifts...and Yohann as Batman

Once again Lincoln slept through the opening of gifts. After all the gifts are open we all go out of the room and my dad hides the pickle ornament. For those of you don't know, the pickle ornament is exactly that, an ornament that looks like a pickle. Well it gets hidden and everyone tries to find it. The lucky person to find it gets an extra gift. I was the lucky one to find the pickle ornament this year. I think the gift this year was the best yet. I got a chocolate fountain! I was so excited! I have always wanted one.

It was great to experience Lincoln's first Christmas.

He was so cute looking at all his toys and everything. He is a very curious and active baby. I can't wait until next year when he is a little more responsive. It will be even more fun then.

Sick Baby!

My poor baby is sick. He woke up from a nap on Tuesday night with a nasty cough. It came out of nowhere. Then yesterday morning when it was still there, rattling around in his chest, we decided to call the doctor. Then before we went in I noticed he had a fever too...poor baby! Well when we got to the doctor's they told us it was a virus that was in his bronchioles in his lungs, and the best way to get rid of it would be to give him nebulizer treatments.

He had one at the doctor's office just to make sure it would help (she said he sounded much better afterward).

So we got our own little machine and are giving him these treatments.Hopefully they work. Every time he coughs I think my heart breaks a little. I feel so bad for him. My poor baby.

Frankenmuth...the Christmas Wonderland!!!

The first Saturday of every December we have a tradition of going to Frankenmuth with Ryan's family. It is one of our most anticipated trips of the year...maybe the most anticipated for Ryan.

Jerry, Jackson, and Mandy Richmond

For those of you who have never been or do not know the appeal of Frankenmuth...it is Christmas all year long. They have a huge store called Bronners where you can buy just about any Christmas thing you can think of. We also get fudge, and Bavarian nuts, flavored popcorn, and all sorts of treats, as well as have a huge chicken dinner.

Jackson waiting for our chicken dinner

This was, of course, the first time Lincoln and Jackson went with us.

Jackson looking at the train circling the ceiling

They got to see Santa and sit on his lap. They were both pretty fascinated with him and couldn't stop staring. We were just glad they didn't freak out. The nice thing about going to see Santa at Frankenmuth is it is free and you take your own pictures, so you can take as many as you want.

The boys posing in the snowman...waiting for Santa

Sitting with Santa at Frankenmuth

Thanksgiving

I know this is a little delayed...I'm a procrastinator, what can I say? We had a great Thanksgiving. We were going to have dinner with both families on Thursday, however there were some complications and my family could not come over until Saturday. So, we spent Thursday with Ryan's family.

Jackson and Lincoln with Great Grandma Dempsey and Lincoln's Aunt Mandy

Lincoln and Jackson are 7 months apart...
Lincoln will catch up in no time

I guess it worked out for the better because that way we could spend more time with each of them. I love Thanksgiving. There are so many things that I only get to eat on Thanksgiving. As it gets closer I anticipate it every year. I love that time together as a family too. I don't get to see my family enough, so when I do I try to soak it all in.

The four sisters....and Lincoln with Aunt Ashley

The family picture

When my family came on Saturday we also celebrated Yohann's 2nd birthday!


Yohann tried some of the frosting before we sang to him...
I don't think he liked it by itself