Christmas 2010

James had a holiday party at daycare early last week and they enjoyed some decorated cookies (as seen here) and danced and boogied to a Christmas song.  James wasn't interested in dancing since he hadn't finished his cookie just quite yet but we know how he can boogie!

Prior to the long holiday weekend the Clarks and Atkinsons went to see Santa and the Macy's display with the boys (which has become an annual tradition).  Elliot and James had a great time checking out the display with the lights and all its moving parts.  The display viewing then led to some traversing through the aisles of Macy's and the skyways with Elliot in the lead and James trying to keep up on foot closely behind.  It was pretty cute to hear Elliot call out "Baby James."  The boys also visited with the Big Man himself - Santa.

James was visited by Santa on several occasions this holiday season and let's just say he hasn't warmed up the man in the red suit yet. There's always next year, right?

James enjoyed traveling over the river and through the woods to many holiday gatherings this past weekend.  Staying up way past his bedtime two nights in a row gave way to a 4-hour nap on Sunday and sleeping 12-hours that same night.  Guess he was a tired little boy after all that excitement.

Unwrapping packages and presents still weren't a thrill to James this year - but I know that will be short lived.  He was more interested in the bows on the packages than anything else.  But regardless we helped him unwrap his gifts and let him discover how all his new things worked.  There was a recurring theme to James' gifts this year - music!  Can you tell this guys love to bop along to tunes and dance?  He received several musical instruments and thus far they aren't driving mom and dad too crazy!

Mom and Dad (with the assistance of Santa of course) got James a "James Goes to the Farm" play set which included a James engine (of Thomas the Tank fame) and some barn accessories.  Of all the things James got for Christmas he's been the most attached to these two little cows that came with the play set.  He carries them everywhere and wants to bring them to the dinner table, the changing table, etc.  We have to hide them during these times so he doesn't get upset.  Guess James doesn't need anything fancy at all, just some barnyard animals to make him happy!  We'll have to get a picture of James and his cows for a future post!

And of course there were cookies and egg nog this at the house this holiday season.  James is definitely taking after his Dad in his love of egg nog.  He always asks for more when Dad shares his cup!

We hope you had a wonderful Christmas - Happy Holidays to everyone and best wishes for 2011!

Snowpocalypse 2010!

So it was a blizzard that they predicted it would be - could have fooled us.  We figured we'd get some snow but some 17 inches or so later we were truly in awe and James can't figure out where he is as the snow drifts are taller than he is!  I'm sure he feels like a mouse in a maze heading out our front door to the garage these days.

We did manage to get him outside during this crazy storm and he got to experience his first true snow fall in his full winter get up.  With his boots, snow pants, hat, jacket and mittens he was quite toasty!  We were reminded of the movie The Christmas Story where Randy was so bundled up he could hardly move.  James didn't care to walk in the snow - and although the blowing snow didn't help with his enthusiasm we still got some cute pics of him that we'll be able to recall for many years to come!

James Upright ... and Other Tidbits.

James' tentative steps have progressed this week and he's becoming quite stable on his feet.  Here are some action shots of him at home showing us his new moves!

He also has discovered his "hiding place" in the living room and frequents the corner between the two couches.  He thinks we can't see him, but we'll just let him continue to play games with us, because it is pretty darn cute!

We decorated the house for Christmas after Thanksgiving and James of course was a wonderful assistant.  Here he is attempting to untangle some lights ... unfortunately he created knots which took Mom and Dad's hands to unravel.  Can't say he didn't try!

Happy Holidays everyone!

Milestone - Walking!

James practiced hard all day with Dad on Saturday while Mom was away for the day - and when she came home he showed her his new skill!

James is now walking - albeit somewhat tentatively yet, but in just two days he's already picked up speed!  He still alternates between walking and crawling but he's discovering the joy of being on two feet!

Look out world - James is now on the move upright!  We'll post pictures soon!