new year's eve and 2010 recap

We went to the Botanical Gardens to see the Garden Fest of Lights tonight. We had hoped to go before Christmas, but we were so busy the weeks leading up to my break and then it snowed and was so cold. Tonight was a perfect night because the temperature got into the 50's today so it wasn't too cold tonight.

Jason was our photographer tonight. We're are still trying to attempt to understand all the settings on the camera and how to take a good picture! The lights to the left are laid out on the lawn to look like a peacock.

We went through a light maze. Bryce really enjoyed it.

Of course Bryce's favorite part of the evening was the train room. We had told him there would be trains there and he was so excited. All he could talk about were the trains going through the tunnels!

After looking at the lights, we went to Cold Stone Creamery for one more taste of their dark chocolate peppermint ice cream before it's gone for the season. So delish!

As 2010 comes to an end, I can definitely say it was an emotional year. We rode the roller coaster of highs and lows from February to October as we dealt with the sale of our old home, the purchase of our new home and the loss of my grandfather. The events of this past year were not all fun, but we learned a lot about ourselves, our marriage, and our God. He is in control and as long as we remember that, we can make it through any of life's challenges. We're hopeful that 2011 brings much happiness as we continue to make memories in our new home with our sweet boy and puppy dog (couldn't forget her)!

bowling

Bryce got to enjoy a little more Christmas today! Rosabeth and Dennis were in town the other day, but we missed them. They brought Bryce a cool bowling set. He was just asking me about bowling the other day and I told him we didn't have bowling stuff. I think he must play at Chase's house.

He looks like he has the rolling technique down in this picture, but really not so much!

I really like this bowling set because all of the pieces are foam so it is a quiet game. He will have hours of fun playing this.

more christmas and a play date

Look who got a new bike for Christmas!

Nina and Pop came up today to celebrate Christmas with us and they brought Bryce this awesome bike. He absolutely loves it. He has been riding it around the downstairs most of the evening. I told him we could take it outside tomorrow and he asked if he could ride it in the snow. That should be fun!

We had a play date tonight with some of our long time friends and their kids. From the left is Allison and her son Colton, Jenny and her son Charlie and Renee and her soon to be baby girl Parr. I think the boys had a really great time playing and I know the dads had a wonderful time chatting it up downstairs while we entertained!

22 months

Bryce turned 22 months on Christmas. I can't believe we almost have a 2 year old. Some days I think he may already be 2 because he can throw a tantrum, but for the most part, he is calm and compliant!

Bryce continues to amaze us with his knowledge of the world around him. He is very observant and narrates all the happenings he sees. Bryce's counting is improving. He counts to 10 correctly seventy percent of the time rather than counting 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, 7, 8.....ha! He knows many shapes (circle, square, oval, rectangle, triangle, diamond, star, and heart). When he sees a heart, he pats his heart and makes the heart beat sound, too cute! Sometimes he can even name pentagon and hexagon.

Bryce enjoys singing. I can hum just about any song and he picks up the tune and starts singing the actual song. Rudolph and Jingle Bells have been his favorite recently. He is also getting better at singing the ABC's. He leaves out J, K, and then sometimes stops on P and drags it out like it's the end of the song. He also recognizes many letters and can give you a word for them (B for Bryce, C for Chase, D for DaDa, J for Jason, M for Macy, N for Nana, S for snake, and V for Vickie).

Bryce is very lovable and kind. He has never been much of a cuddler, but he makes up for it with hugs and kisses.

It's still impossible to get him to hold still and pose for a picture.

I look forward to getting Bryce's height and weight at his 2 year checkup because he still seems to be very petite like his MaMa and DaDa. I noticed the other day that Bryce is only a hair taller than Taylor and he is eight months older than her. I also wonder if he is gaining weight. Sometimes I think he can't possibly be gaining weight because he is such a picky eater and eats very little, and then I think he's going to be obese and diabetic because when he does eat, he eats bread, fruit, and sugary snacks.

We love you B-man!

winter wonderland

We ended up having a white Christmas! Bryce and Jason enjoyed playing in the snow and riding on his new snow toy (sled/dish) this morning before church.

Merry Christmas

We have had a wonderful Christmas with family! We started celebrating on Friday night with Nana, Pap, and Nanny. We had a delicious lunch, attended the Christmas Eve service, and then had dessert and opened presents.

Jason and Bryce enjoy playing the piano when they go to MeMaw's house so they got one for home. Hopefully Jason can teach Bryce how to play one day.

Bryce's first lesson is being gentle on the keys!

Bryce got a cool race car.

Once Bryce was in bed and everyone had gone, Santa and his elf got right to work!

Bryce seeing his presents for the first time.

He went straight to work!

Seeing what is in the stocking.

Bryce wanted a football helmet for Christmas. I think it was mostly because Chase wanted one. We were hesitant to buy one at first because he doesn't like stuff on his head, but when Jason came across a Hokie helmet, he couldn't turn it down. The helmet is quite large, but it was free, and he can grow into it.

Ready, set, hike!

Touchdown

After having Christmas at home as a family, we headed to Jason's parent's house to celebrate with his dad's side of the family. Bryce tried on PaPa's Nutzy hat for him. Bryce got a Nutzy t-shirt and Nutzy stuffed animal. He is currently curled up in his bed with him!

This is how Bryce feels about sharing his toys he got for Christmas. We are working on it.

7 minutes into the car ride home and he was out! He woke up quickly once we got to Nana and Pap's house for lunch and stockings.

We went over to Jason's grandparent's house tonight to celebrate with his Mom's side of the family. All the great grand kids got a stuffed animal.

We have had a wonderful time celebrating this holiday with family and friends. Most importantly, we kept the focus on the true reason for the season. We had hoped of starting the tradition of celebrating Jesus' birthday with a birthday cake, but we didn't get around to it this year. There is always next year! Bryce understands birthdays and he can tell you that Christmas is Jesus' birthday. I think he is off to a great start understanding the meaning of Christmas outside of presents. Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

still a kid at heart

Jason had his own fun with the new blocks after Bryce went to bed last night. I was asleep on the couch while he was hard at work. He built, tore down, and rebuilt about 5 times, before he finished this masterpiece.

Bryce was quite impressed by it, but he still knocked it down within minutes of seeing it, ha!

blocks

Dear Ju-Ju and Beth,

Thank you SO much for my blocks you gave me for Christmas. I love to build castles and towers with them. Mama built me this fort to get in so she could take my picture for the blog. I had a lot of fun destroying it! Mama said I'm great at cleaning up the blocks when I'm done with them. Thanks for giving me such a fun Christmas present. I love you Ju-Ju and Beth, you're my friends!

Love,
Bryce

christmas fun

My Christmas break started Thursday (two days early) thanks to the arrival of the snow. I am beyond ecstatic that I have 18 days of pure relaxation and fun! I had plans to get together with my fourth grade team on Thursday night for our annual Christmas dinner and gift exchange, but we decided not to brave the elements. We ended up meeting last night and it was a wonderful time as always.

I had to leave the first party a little early in time to get the second party that I had originally had planned for Friday night. My friend Jenny has an annual wine tasting party. There is always some kind of theme to it. Last year was a pajama theme and this year was bridesmaid dresses. Thankfully Kelly let me borrow her dress she wore in my wedding because I didn't have any to choose from. After the party, the dresses were going to be donated to a local charity.

This picture was taken well into the night when most people had already slipped into more comfy clothes. I just love holidays and the fun traditions they bring!