Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent with the Mihalovich family in Des Moines.  There are two other young kids, Vinny is 2 and Avery is just 3 weeks younger than James.  It was fun to see them interact as well.  This family does a fun grab bag exchange each year with a theme. This year the theme was "S" and I got a starbucks giftcard! Score!

Christmas in Spencer

The Friday after Christmas we drove up to Spencer to have Christmas with my mom's side of the family.  It was great to see everyone, and it was fun to watch James play with Jake and Josie. I took quite a few pictures, but unfortunately I left my camera in Spencer, so all I have is what is on my phone:(

Reading a book in his new carseat!  Settled in for the long drive!

More presents mom?!

One of his favorite toys!

Cousins Peter and Josie

My favorite new ornament I found shopping in Spencer.

Christmas Day

After we opened stockings with my family on Christmas morning, we spent the rest of the day with Zeb's family.  We had lunch with the Crouse side and then we went over to the Vincent's side of the family.  James is still willing to go to anyone so he had lots of fun playing with family members.  

Uncle Casey

Chatting with cousin Hollister

Cousin Eliza

Santa Claus comes to town!

Santa Claus comes to town and he brought Grandma, Grandpa and Uncle Allen!  My family was able to come into town on Monday before Christmas and stay through Christmas morning.  It was great to have them in town and be able to host Christmas for the first time.  We had lots of delicious food, played games, and watched Christmas vacation, of course!

Can I just open them already mom?!

Helping Daddy open his presents

Dutch wanted in on the action too!

Go Panthers!!

So many books!!! (Mommy is definitely an English teacher!)

James got this walker and he was instantly a natural! We put
it together and he took off!

Santa brought so much, James had to have two stockings:)

Daddy teaching James how to play with his fire truck

He bites EVERYTHING!

James wanted to get in on our cribbage game!

So excited to be opening presents!!

James' first car!

Our next family Christmas was with Grandma Jennifer, Grandpa Tony, Aunt Zoey and Uncle Casey.

Watching Mommy help him open gifts.

He got tired of watching and decided to open them himself.

I think it was surprised each time he pulled and the paper actually ripped.

Checking out his new car

He loves it!

Spencer Family Christmas

I knew this Christmas would be extra special because it was James' first Christmas, but it was better than I could have expected.  We had our first Christmas get together with Zeb's extended family.  The Spencer side of his family gets together and does a grab bag gift exchange.  The morning of this Christmas we also took James to see Santa at the Log Cabin in Lacona.

James isn't afraid of strangers at all, but Santa was a different story! 

Playing with his first official Christmas present.

So excited to see Grandma Jennifer

Kisses for Aunt Zoey

Telling Grandpa Tony a story

Opening presents!  He got the book Corduroy (one of mommy's favorites!)

Great Grandma Joanne

Long day = napping on Daddy

Basketball

Over the past two months, a lot of our time has been spent at basketball games.  I was worried about how it would go, having James at games because of the space restriction as well as how late they go.  I am very pleased to say the games have been going great!  He loves playing in the bleachers, watching all the people, and seeing his favorite "big sisters."  

Playing with his football and watching the game.

James and his best bud Logan. Yes, they are matching, and yes, we planned it:)

James has several team shirts, this one has a pic of the team
on the front and says "Lil Fan" on the back.

This is the team shirt for this year.  They got one in James' size too!

Mommy and James matching

Hanging out with some of the girls after a win.

The smile on his face says it all!

Daddy's biggest fan!

Hugs for Raelyn

Daddy working his magic and getting James
to fall asleep despite all the commotion.