Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

 

Christmas morning is so magical, but it was even more so watching Blake open presents. He woke up earlier than anyone of course, so he enjoyed pursuing the boxes and bows that had been set up the night before. Naturally, everyone else woke up soon after. Blake is not a quiet one. We had so much fun watching Blake! I didn't take many pictures because I was just enjoying helping Blake to open presents and cuddling with my hubby. Christmas morning is amazing! We had the traditional waffles and ice cream made by Dad, and then enjoyed playing with presents and snacking on candy.

 

 

Pure Magic!

 

This little cutie even got to ride on the sled behind the three wheeler Christmas afternoon.

 

We hope everyone enjoyed their holidays as much as we did. Never take family for granted. They are everything.

 

Merry Christmas to everyone from the Lanoys!

 

-SL

Christmas in South Dakota

 

South Dakota!

 

This year it was my parents turn to have us for Christmas. My sister was home as well, so all the siblings were there except Sam, who is still on his mission. We had a lot of fun, and it was good to just hang out and relax. It snowed a lot and was SO cold. There were days where it was too cold to take Blake outside. I kind of liked that because it made us stay inside and do family things and be all cozy and warm.

 

We did quite a bit of cooking. Nate decided he wanted chocolate covered pretzels, but dipping them one by one was too tedious for him so this was his solution...hm...

 

 

Blake was in love with the cat! He chased him everywhere. I think the cat secretly liked the attention.

More cooking! Making sugar cookies at Christmas has always been my sisters thing.

 



 

We made a trip to my mom's work to visit the science center. It was so fun to do with Blake. He was totally enthralled with everything.

 

 

Check out the size of these snow flakes! I love SD winters...

 

Decorating gingerbread houses!

 

This was one of my favorite activities when I was little. We lived in the country, so we had all kinds of room to play with the three wheeler. Now that my parents live in town, so it's a little more conspicuous...but no one called the police on us so I guess we were ok!

 

Don't laugh at my outfit... I completely forgot to bring a coat much less a hat, so I had to wear whatever I could find.

 

Hanging out with cousin Stella and Blake.

 

-SL

 

Christmas is Coming!

Christmas is in the air!! We are super excited to go to South Dakota for Christmas, but in the mean time we are doing a few Christmas traditions here at home.

 

Looking at Christmas lights is one of my all time favorite things to do. We decided to grab some homemade gingerbread men (made by me) and hot chocolate. We then drove around to some of the neighborhoods that had been recommended for Christmas lights. It was so fun. The only downside... I got food poisoning the next day. The only thing I can think of was that it was the hot chocolate. Aaron and I had different hot chocolates the night before. Pretty weird! Anyways, it was a fun night. Blake enjoyed it too! He could totally see the lights through the window, and thought it was great. Oh...and this is his debut in his "big boy" car seat! We were trying it out before driving to South Dakota with it. He loved it! I think he likes being able to see what is going on.

 

 

 

Just a little Christmas baking! I may have gone a little over board this year, but it was destined to happen since we were all snowed in for so long!

 

Love looking at this sight while I do dishes. Love Christmas decorations!

 

 

A little preview of a few of Blake's early Christmas toys.

 

 

Blake decided I needed help decorating the tree. This all happened within one minute of me turning my back to the tree. Such a little sneak!

 

 

-SL

 

Snow!

So I know I said fall is my favorite, but... I have to admit.... I LOVE winter too. I especially love snow. That's the only downside to Arkansas. I do wish it would snow more and that Arkansas was actually prepared to handle snow instead of shutting down the whole town even if it only snows an inch. In the pictures below it actually snowed several inches, very rare for AR. I loved it! Blake was totally enthralled with it. I love Aaron and Blake is these pictures. You can totally see the love.

 

 

Blake was totally up for exploring...

 

 

...even after he fell in the snow! Such a trooper!

 

Here are a few pictures of the neighborhood. Kind of crazy! (P.S. the roads stayed like that for several days. They were never plowed... oh Arkansas...)

 

-SL

 

Too Cute

Just a couple other pictures I found... this kid is too cute!

 

Blake LOVES animals. We just had to laugh that a cat wandered up to Blake's favorite window. It was too funny to watch his reaction. I wish I could have caught his face on camera. Needless to say, he was THRILLED.

 

 

Blake really likes to try and put my sunglasses on. It's hysterical. I didn't get a great picture, but the sunglasses usually end up around his neck and he pushes his chin down to hold them there while he walks around. Such a character...

 

-SL