Merry Christmas!

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Christmas holiday! We had such a wonderful time and enjoyed being with family. On Tuesday, we headed over to Stillwater for our Christmas with the Caldwells before going to the McGillen's on Christmas day. The snow storm messed up our scheduled a little bit, but it all worked out! Here's a brief recap of our holiday. I've also added a Christmas photo album for more pics.

On our Christmas Eve (actually, two days before Christmas), we all went bowling. Jackson really liked the shoes...and seemed very impressed that Gramma had her own ball, shoes AND locker. Can't compete against that!

On Jackson's first turn, he ran out in his lane....past the foul line. Ernie warned us that if he did that many more times, he couldn't bowl. Between that and keeping Jackson away from the ball return, I was nervous the whole time! Jackson learned quickly and seemed to have a lot of fun. I love watching Dad and Jackson bowl together - they're so focused!

Thank goodness for bumpers! Jackson did pretty well for his first time out, though we were a little nervous that the ball would stop and get stuck on the way down to the pins.

Jenna took Reese bowling, too. Is this even legal? Check the rule book, mom!

Christmas (Eve) morning at the Caldwell's. Merry Christmas! It started out with the traditional Christmas morning dance to "I Want a Hippopotamus". I don't know if you can see it in the video, but I love Jackson's dinosaur feet with his pajamas. Great for marching to the music!

Santa outdid himself once again. I have a new appreciation for Santa and the elves with the train table. I believe I heard the word "payback" once or twice... We had such a good day opening presents.

The kids took a nap during Christmas dinner. It was very relaxing but a little strange to be eating without having to worry about cutting up food, keeping them from throwing it on the floor, etc. Thanks mom and dad for the wonderful meal(s)!

This is a good look for you, Tom.

You're never too young to get lottery tickets in your stocking!

Tom and I were the big winners this year - $4 and a free ticket. Whoo hoo! You'd be surprised at the level of competition with the tickets between everyone. Johnnie was a little upset this year that Santa gave her the "Lucky 7's" instead of the "Electric 8's"....and wouldn't you know, the 8's had a winner! Christmas stockings just wouldn't be the same without lottery tickets.

You know you're going to share those, right Dad?

Here we are after the Christmas excitement. Tom seems tuckered out and enjoying Reese's new bean bag. Dad is furiously working on his Sudoku puzzle in our Sudoku competition between Dad, Jenna and myself. Jenna is so good. She skunked me bad - 13-5. I'm ready for a rematch, though. The McGillen's gave me a mammoth book of sudoku's....and I've been practicing all break. Anytime you're ready, Johnnie....

Does Jackson have the Cook big toe with a mind of its own? Here they are checking it out. Jackson seems a little perplexed by the whole conversation.

It was a white Christmas this year! It started snowing on Christmas Eve (sleet first, then heavy flakes). Stillwater got at least 7"!

Jackson liked the idea of snow...until he actually touched it. Tom showed Jackson how to sled on the little hill in the backyard.

Reese spent pretty much the entire time riding in the sled on her back not moving at all. We think she liked it, but we're not entirely sure.

Here are some videos of Jackson and Reese (and Tom and Dad) playing in the snow. Jackson only liked it if he didn't have to touch the snow. I think Reese does a pretty good impersonation of a snow angel statue.

Christmas in Moore got a little bit of a later start than we anticipated due to the snow and ice. Thankfully, the streets had been cleared pretty well (thank you to those who spent their Christmas day(s) sanding and clearing them for everyone!) and the trip to OKC was relatively uneventful. As soon as we got to the McGillen's house, Jackson zoomed in on the singing fish...which they had hidden in hopes that Jackson would have forgotten about it!

Jackson decided he wasn't going to let the fish show him up, so he sang a few of his own for the crowd - you just can't beat an abbreviated Jingle Bells and ABC's for some holiday spirit! (sorry, the videos are a little dark)

After a few songs and catching up, it was time to see what Santa had brought everyone.

After some practice, Jackson really got the hang of opening presents. The day after Christmas, he kept asking "Presents? Open?"

I think Jackson secretly wants glasses of his own. Before leaving for school in the mornings, we usually need to get his sunglasses for him to wear in the car. I found my first pair of glasses from junior high - I think they're 1/2 as big as my entire face (no, there won't be a photo of those). I think Jackson wanted those, too. For now, Mr. Potato Head's will have to suffice:

More Cars! He also got a Mack truck carrying case. He carries Mack all around the house...we even have to bring him when Jackson gets a diaper change. Have we mentioned Jackson loves Cars?

Linda made a great Lightening McQueen cap (and hat) for Jackson. He loves running around the house with a cape flying behind him.

Jackson got a baby doll that eats, drinks and wets her diaper...we thought it would come in handy for potty training. Jackson loves it way more than I thought he would. He likes feeding it and changing the doll's diaper. He thinks it's hilarious when the baby sits on the potty chair!

Dancing to the Christmas tunes:

Like I mentioned earlier, we're trying to get Jackson ready for potty training. We thought getting big boy underwear in the Toy Story and Thomas themes might help entice him. Unfortunately, I don't think Jackson quite understands the point of underwear yet...

Like I said earlier, Santa outdid himself. Jackson ended up with so many toys - a train table, easel and art supplies, a small kitchen, playdoh, lots of Cars, baby doll, walkie talkies, flashlights, books, Leapfrog, a cool billebo, basketball hoop, dress-up clothes and hats and more. Thank you, Santa!!