Sunday Fun!

Today we spent the afternoon in the yard.   Ben played Cornhole with his new Christmas Beanbags, and Cruz loved fetching the bags and bringing them back.  He also was obsessed with the boards as well and spent a lot of time on them.  He was cracking us up!

Toting around the Beanbag Bag

"Here, Dad!"

It looks like he is surfing!

"Plane, Plane!"

Modeling Pose

My mom takes the credit for teaching him how to tip his car.

After playing outside, it was bath night.  Cruz has been very upset when he gets his hair rinsed, so I remembered I had bought some handy visors when he was a tiny baby.  They finally fit and serve the purpose!

Saying Goodbye

Today my parents left to go back to Michigan.  It was so sad to see them go.  I was happy they flew out later in the afternoon so we could all spend a little more time together.  I am so glad they came, organized, and spent time with Cruz.  We were all so lucky.  Thank you for coming Mom and Ricky!

He loved reading with KK...Yes, my mom finally decided on what she would like Cruz to call her!  It TOTALLY fits her, and we love it!  Cruz can even say it, so all the better!

Giggles!

Snuggles

Silly Elmo

Time for Goodbye

One More Kiss from KK..

One More Laugh!

Texas Roadhouse

We met up with Cori and Ashley for dinner this evening.  We had a very nice time.  I can't say Ben and I are in a hurry to go back as the music was super loud, and you couldn't hear anyone.  It was great though that my parents got to see them one last time before leaving.

Pssst...

Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil, See no Evil

Happy Guy!

Rick and Cori

Christmas Day

Today was such an exciting day for Ben and I as parents.  Cruz is no longer a baby, and Christmas has taken on a whole new meaning.  Seeing Christmas through a child's eyes, is so amazing, and I know it will get more and more exciting each year.  Cruz was so excited to see all of the new toys, and he had fun opening gifts.  He played so hard and had so much fun, it was 1pm when we realized he had not had lunch yet.  It was also way past nap time.  

It was also so nice to have my parents here to celebrate with us.  Words cannot describe waking up in your own house on Christmas Day.   It was bittersweet.  It was hard though not being a part of the festitivites with our families at home, but nice to be able to stay in our pajamas all day and let Cruz play to his hearts content.  

Rick made Prime Rib, and we also had mashed potatoes, green beans with pine nuts, and rolls.  It was a simple, but extremely filling meal!  It was so nice to not have to cook!  Yay!

I am super pumped for next year!  We will be adding Elf on the Shelf to the mix!  

Good Morning!

Not sure what to think of all of these new toys!

Hopped right on the Scooter!

He found Elmo!

"Now what do I actually do with this stocking?"

 

Cruz found all of the gifts from Santa under the tree, piled them on the table, and started opening!

Ooooh!  Ahhhhh!

Loved his Wagon from Nana!

Even Bridgette tolerated a ride.

Go Lions!

"Safety First, Mickey!"

Ben waiting to see what would happen during an empty dishwasher cycle.  We discovered everything was soaked under the sink at about 11pm last night.  Luckily, it must have been the way all of the dishes had been arranged.  No plumber needed!

Ricky Man cooking away!

Christmas Eve

Ben had to work today, but we sure kept busy cleaning and getting ready for Cori and Ashley to visit.  Cori, Rick's daughter, moved out to Arizona a few months ago.  We had yet to get together because we both had been so busy...and I can't even remember the last time I saw her.  It had been at least since I moved to Arizona, which was in 2005.

Cori has grown up, is so mature, and it was so great to catch up and talk about memories growing up.  Cori brought her girlfriend, Ashley, and she was great.  She was so nice, funny, and easy-going.  Cruz loved both girls and warmed up very quickly to them.  They brought Cruz some awesome cars, a Mickey doll, cookie, and book.  It was so generous of them.  

We were able to snap some family photos, and even made plans to go out to dinner on Thursday!  I can't wait to see them both again!

Ben and I stayed up until midnight putting the together the last of the big gifts and arranging all of the presents under the tree.  Santa was VERY GOOD to Cruz this year!

Kid's Table! (Bridgette sure loved it, and Cruz sure loved feeding her so easily.)

Scary Eyes!

Mickey Cookie Stuck to the Face!

Painting made by Cori for Rick.  She is SUPER talented!

Laughs

COOP Christmas Program 2013

This afternoon, Cruz had his Christmas Program.  It was MUCH better than last year's performance.  They sang the Reindeer Pokey and a snowflake song.  It was great to see him and his friends in action.  They all are so cute!  

After they sang, we tried to get him on Santa's lap.  He did not cry, so that was a plus, but he was going to have anything to do with him.  His babysitter Brittney was filling in for his teacher, so that was fun for us to get some photos of them together.  What a nice afternoon!

On the way to sing!

With Miss Brittney!

Our Wonderful Sitter!

Attempting Santa

No, thank you!

I'm Outta Here!

A Safer Distance