Christmas with the Sanders

Christmas Eve is always spent at Brett's parents' house with his brothers and family.  Blake was with Joanna in Wisconsin this Christmas and we sure missed him!  This was the first Christmas that Jacob could really participate in and he LOVED the festivities.  We put him in his Christmas pajamas and headed to Nana & Papa's at 4 pm.  

Jacob ran and ran around the house and did NOT want to stop for a photo op.  Here he is fighting me for this one :)

Here is our half-way posed pic

What he really wanted to do was play with Grady Bear.  Grady pays special attention to Jacob and he loves it!  He followed Grady around the house the entire night.

He is really starting to enjoy his cousins.

Running up and down the step. . .

And then crawling. . .

Pushing the red car around the house.  Jacob was a little extra fussy that night so we were coming up with everything to keep him in a good mood (to make the time a little better for us as well :)

Finally we started opening presents.  They decided that we should go in age order with the youngest first.  That meant that Jacob started it off.  Clarkie wasn't sure about Jacob being the baby now.  He let us know more than a few times that  "I used to be the baby!" followed by a frown face!

They decided to help Jacob out this year since it took him so long.

A fun Little People train set from Nana & Papa.

Raelyn and Uncle Brett opening his presents.

Cute family shot with our boy rubbing those teeth.  He was major time getting some teeth in over Christmas.

Grady wanted to take a pic with our camera, so I made him a funny face :)

After reading the Christmas story and opening presents, Brett and his mom tried out their new Keurigs from Clint.  Then we put little man down at their house and headed to church for the candlelight service.  Each year (forever) FBC Toccoa does a candlelight service on Christmas Eve. It is really well attended and super fun to see people we graduated with that only come home for the holidays.  We grabbed Jacob from nana and Papa's and got back home to our house around 12 AM.  It was a really fun day and so nice to not have to travel more than 10 mins this year!

Children's Museum of the Upstate

The Friday before Christmas, Mom and I decided to go on a fun trip since she was off and Brett had to work.  We decided to go to the Children's Museum of the Upstate in Greenville, SC.  We had heard that it was awesome and that Jacob could get in for FREE!  Parents had to pay, but there still was so much for him to do that I just couldn't believe that he didn't have to pay.  I think we will get the family membership as he gets older.  He loves loves loves it!  In fact, we went the other day again (more pics to follow)!

Here he is in the "market place", a grocery store for little ones complete with real groceries!

Below Mimi is helping him drive the recycling truck.

Here we are in Grandma Betty's Farm.  Jacob loved this slide and wanted to do it over and over.

Climbing up to Mimi so he could slide down again :)

Going down the intestinal slide.  It makes stomach noises and Jacob really wasn't sure about that!

More shopping. . .

He drove the shopping cart EVERYWHERE.  Even into the other exhibits.  The fun thing is that no one cares since it is all for the little ones!

In the construction zone getting ready to knock down the blocks.

He didn't want to wear the hat.

We were so thankful that MImi was able to come with us so that she could hold and pick up Jacob when he needed it.

Here is Jacob's favorite spot of the entire museum!  It is called the Toddler Lily Pond and is a splash pool for them.  He splashed and splashed (even some of the other kids were staring at him). It was hilarious.  Both mom and I couldn't wipe the smiles off our faces!

Look at that sweet grin. ...

He got SOAKED!  We had to take off his shirt and let him wear his zip up jacket for the rest of the time there.  When we got to Steph's, we had to machine dry his jeans and socks as well!

He had an absolute ball and I made a mental note to bring a change of clothes and a towel for the next time.  :)

Around the House & Merry Christmas Mommy!

Here's our sweet baby in his Christmas pajamas.  We think they are so adorable and warm.  In fact, he is still wears them and will for the entire winter :)  I love it when my sweet boys play and wrestle!

When we moved into our house, there were lots of treasures that were left for us by Brett's dad and aunt.  These items were Grandmother's and Papa's and many have been very useful!  Jacob especially loves all of papa's walking sticks and canes.  We go to visit Aunt Latrelle each week (who is 90) and he watches her walk around with her cane.  He grabs her cane and imitates her at her house and then does it some more when he gets home!  When he gets a cane in his hand, he does not want to let it go!  Sometimes he will ride down the road in his car seat holding a cane.  The other day, we saw him drop down on his belly and start reaching behind the refrigerator on the porch.  He was trying to get a cane that had fallen behind it!  Hilarious!

So proud of my cane!

I really like when Brett surprises me for my birthday or Christmas, so this year he took Jacob and went shopping!  They had a really good time and picked me out some great clothes.  Here is Jacob helping me unwrap the shirt they just bought me :)

Yay!  Mommy has a new shirt to wear for Christmas!  Thanks to my two loves!