We were able to go to St. Louis this year for the 23rd through the 26
th. We had a GREAT time, although we're looking forward to getting back into a normal routine.
Benjamin was happy most of the time, as usual. He had a great time hanging out with Papa in the retro highchair.
Jacob did the traditional looking for Santa. This is looking out the front door and up in the sky.
After the dishes were mostly done, Santa came! The tricky guy rang the doorbell and then left presents in the garage! Santa brought Jacob Power Rangers and Benjamin a Fisher Price CD player (well, that's what it's called, at least... it doesn't actually play
CDs).
Here's my brother, Ben, doing his best to look cool.
Here's Jacob, doing his best to look like Uncle Ben.
Here's the bracelet Jacob chose for Auntie Anne. He had about 50 different bracelets to choose from, and really wanted this one for her.
Anne made Greg cupcakes that look like balls of yarn (and also gave him some yarn).
Jacob and Papa as Ninjas (or
Ninjuns, as Jacob says).
Greg got what he wanted for Christmas! He's going to learn how to knit and/or crochet in 2009. He said his goal is less
internet time and more crocheting time.
Oooo.... afghans. I can't wait! He has requested that I learn woodworking now.
Anne gave Jacob a gift card to Build A Bear. The box had a tiny strip of bubble wrap in it. Guess what was more exciting to Jacob! He could not tear his eyes away until every bubble was popped.
Anne and her obsession. Along with a
Wii for the house, they also got Guitar Hero. Anne will now be busy from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. most nights, er, make that every night.
The lovely Christmas tree.
Matching pajama photos. I can't get enough. You might feel like you're seeing the same photo over and over again. I will still keep taking them because I love them!
Another one!
Benjamin reaching out to feel the tree. Christmas time was pretty fascinating for him -- lots of things to touch and explore!
One happy guy.
Santa left a jet in Jacob's stocking!
Papa made the mistake of saying, "Look! It has FOUR engines on it!" and pointed to the silver things near the wings. Jacob said, "Those aren't engines! Those are rockets that shoot. The engine is back
here." He then pointed to the back of the jet. (Greg confirmed that he was 100% correct, of course.) Poor Papa.
Benjamin and his fluffy hair Christmas morning. Sarah cut it a couple of months ago, and it hasn't been quite the same since. We're not really sure why.
Benjamin and Papa reading a pop up book.
Benjamin with a present from Santa. It tastes good. (That's what you're supposed to do with toys, right? Taste them?)
Yup. Another matching pajama photo. At least it's in a different room! :)
Jacob with what appears to be a gift from the heavens.
Oh, actually it was just a present from George Bob and Papa. A wonderful, gorgeous present, but not from Heaven. It only glowed for one photo.
As you can probably tell, I took a ton of photos during our visit (a little over 400). Understandably, Jacob was a little tired of posing. This was one face he made while refusing to smile for the camera. I thought it was just so adorable! (Just let me read in peace, Mom!)
It's a little blurry, but here's Auntie Anne with Benjamin. He's wearing the cutest sweater ever from his Great Aunt Karen and Great Uncle John. Do you know
why it's the cutest sweater ever? (Well, aside from being insanely cute.) Because it matches the sweater they gave to Jacob! More matching clothing! Woo
hoo!
My cutie boys and their sweaters while we were waiting for Sarah to arrive to take some family photos. Jacob was squirming a second later and Benjamin was actually crying. Greg came in and asked if I was trying to get them tired of the camera before we even started family photos.
Benjamin cuddling with George Bob.
I love this one. Here you can see my mom's complete joy while holding her grandson and you can see Benjamin wondering if it would be okay to grab her mouth. He has a thing with grabbing mouths. It really hurts sometimes.
So in my head this worked out so much better. I had a "brilliant" idea. I thought it would be so cool to have everyone
stairstepped down the deck stairs. I thought it would be a flattering angle for everyone, and I envisioned the perfect family shot. Not quite.
A little better. Anne wasn't quite ready. It actually looks like she's begging the photographer to just let her go back inside. We were all a little bit cold.
Greg and Jacob on the deck. Getting colder by the second.
Greg trying not to look cold, Benjamin happy as usual, and Jacob trying to look like he's freezing.
The whole family in front of the house. I don't think it's a good idea to wear the brightest color in a group photo unless you also happen to be slim and gorgeous. Next year: black, and I'm standing in the back!
Jacob at the start of our Build A Bear adventure, courtesy of Auntie Anne. Actually, the start was when we were entering the mall parking lot and wondering if we'd ever find a space. It was actually pretty easy. The hard part was waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting to get out of the parking lot.
Auntie Anne and Jacob.
Adding love, compassion, friendship, and whatever other qualities go into a turtle (the words are printed by the buttons).
Rubbing the heart to make it warm? I'm not sure why they rub it. I didn't really listen, as I was busy taking way too many photos!
Rubbing the heart on his arm to make it strong.
And I think this one was making a wish. For how crazy and crowded the mall was, I was very impressed with Build A Bear. They didn't rush the kids, and Jacob thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Washing his new turtle friend.
Still washing his turtle friend.
Me: Jake? Are you almost done?
Jake: Mom, I have to rinse him!
Meet Tiny Tim, the Spiderman turtle that roars. What? You've never heard of a Spiderman turtle that roars? You need to get out more!
And one last shot....
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas as much as we enjoyed ours. :)
Jacob and Greg playing with a flying helicopter (okay, that sounds very redundant, but it's a toy that actually flies!) from Grandpa Stone and Grandma Bonnie.
Benjamin being serious.
He wasn't sure how he felt about losing the pacifier.
Practicing his cool-guy look.
Jacob did the traditional looking for Santa. This is looking out the front door and up in the sky.
After the dishes were mostly done, Santa came! The tricky guy rang the doorbell and then left presents in the garage! Santa brought Jacob Power Rangers and Benjamin a Fisher Price CD player (well, that's what it's called, at least... it doesn't actually play CDs).
Here's my brother, Ben, doing his best to look cool.
Here's Jacob, doing his best to look like Uncle Ben.
Here's the bracelet Jacob chose for Auntie Anne. He had about 50 different bracelets to choose from, and really wanted this one for her.
Anne made Greg cupcakes that look like balls of yarn (and also gave him some yarn).
Jacob and Papa as Ninjas (or Ninjuns, as Jacob says).
Greg got what he wanted for Christmas! He's going to learn how to knit and/or crochet in 2009. He said his goal is less internet time and more crocheting time. Oooo.... afghans. I can't wait! He has requested that I learn woodworking now.
Anne gave Jacob a gift card to Build A Bear. The box had a tiny strip of bubble wrap in it. Guess what was more exciting to Jacob! He could not tear his eyes away until every bubble was popped.
Anne and her obsession. Along with a Wii for the house, they also got Guitar Hero. Anne will now be busy from 11 p.m. to 5 a.m. most nights, er, make that every night.
The lovely Christmas tree.
Matching pajama photos. I can't get enough. You might feel like you're seeing the same photo over and over again. I will still keep taking them because I love them!
Another one!
Benjamin reaching out to feel the tree. Christmas time was pretty fascinating for him -- lots of things to touch and explore!
One happy guy.
Santa left a jet in Jacob's stocking!
Papa made the mistake of saying, "Look! It has FOUR engines on it!" and pointed to the silver things near the wings. Jacob said, "Those aren't engines! Those are rockets that shoot. The engine is back here." He then pointed to the back of the jet. (Greg confirmed that he was 100% correct, of course.) Poor Papa.
Benjamin and his fluffy hair Christmas morning. Sarah cut it a couple of months ago, and it hasn't been quite the same since. We're not really sure why.
Benjamin and Papa reading a pop up book.
Benjamin with a present from Santa. It tastes good. (That's what you're supposed to do with toys, right? Taste them?)
Yup. Another matching pajama photo. At least it's in a different room! :)
Jacob with what appears to be a gift from the heavens.
Oh, actually it was just a present from George Bob and Papa. A wonderful, gorgeous present, but not from Heaven. It only glowed for one photo.
As you can probably tell, I took a ton of photos during our visit (a little over 400). Understandably, Jacob was a little tired of posing. This was one face he made while refusing to smile for the camera. I thought it was just so adorable! (Just let me read in peace, Mom!)
It's a little blurry, but here's Auntie Anne with Benjamin. He's wearing the cutest sweater ever from his Great Aunt Karen and Great Uncle John. Do you know why it's the cutest sweater ever? (Well, aside from being insanely cute.) Because it matches the sweater they gave to Jacob! More matching clothing! Woo hoo!
My cutie boys and their sweaters while we were waiting for Sarah to arrive to take some family photos. Jacob was squirming a second later and Benjamin was actually crying. Greg came in and asked if I was trying to get them tired of the camera before we even started family photos.
Benjamin cuddling with George Bob. 
So in my head this worked out so much better. I had a "brilliant" idea. I thought it would be so cool to have everyone stairstepped down the deck stairs. I thought it would be a flattering angle for everyone, and I envisioned the perfect family shot. Not quite.
A little better. Anne wasn't quite ready. It actually looks like she's begging the photographer to just let her go back inside. We were all a little bit cold. 
Greg and Jacob on the deck. Getting colder by the second.
Greg trying not to look cold, Benjamin happy as usual, and Jacob trying to look like he's freezing.
The whole family in front of the house. I don't think it's a good idea to wear the brightest color in a group photo unless you also happen to be slim and gorgeous. Next year: black, and I'm standing in the back!
Jacob at the start of our Build A Bear adventure, courtesy of Auntie Anne. Actually, the start was when we were entering the mall parking lot and wondering if we'd ever find a space. It was actually pretty easy. The hard part was waiting and waiting and waiting and waiting to get out of the parking lot.
Auntie Anne and Jacob.
Adding love, compassion, friendship, and whatever other qualities go into a turtle (the words are printed by the buttons).
Rubbing the heart to make it warm? I'm not sure why they rub it. I didn't really listen, as I was busy taking way too many photos!
Rubbing the heart on his arm to make it strong.
And I think this one was making a wish. For how crazy and crowded the mall was, I was very impressed with Build A Bear. They didn't rush the kids, and Jacob thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
Washing his new turtle friend.
Still washing his turtle friend.
Me: Jake? Are you almost done?
Meet Tiny Tim, the Spiderman turtle that roars. What? You've never heard of a Spiderman turtle that roars? You need to get out more!
And one last shot....
I hope you enjoyed your Christmas as much as we enjoyed ours. :) 
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