Stuck

Yesterday Adam told Conor to play in his room with his toys and books while Daddy took a shower. Not a new occurrence. However, when Adam came out of the bathroom this time, he heard: "Daddy, I'm stuck. Daddy, can you help me?" So he went into Conor's room, where, of course, Conor was nowhere to be found. He checked our bedroom and again, no Conor. The only other room left upstairs is the nursery, so as Adam walks in there and peeks behind the door...there sits Conor, in the CRIB! He had crawled in all by himself, but couldn't figure out how to get out. Ha Ha Ha!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

This is the first in a series of posts that are long overdue for the month of December. I will make no promises or New Year's resolutions to be better about blogging in 2010. I know better than that. But enjoy these pictures of our holiday happy moments...and best wishes to you and yours in the New Year.

Conor was very shy with Santa this year. He talked the whole way there about what he was going to ask for for Christmas (including a new puppy, not sure where that came from!). But as soon as he landed on Santa's lap, it was as if a switch was flipped. He was not scared, and did not cry, but simply sat looking straight ahead and answered yes or no to Santa's questions, briefly turning to catch of glimpse of the big man. Once Santa handed Conor his candy cane and we were on our way out the door, the switch was flipped back on and Conor started talking nonstop again! Go figure.


Conor and Daddy are always doing something active and entertaining with whatever they can find around the house! Riding in the laundry baskets or empty boxes is one of Conor's favorite activities.


We did our own little Christmas before heading out for MN for the extended week. First, we had Conor pose in front of the tree. What a ham!

Daddy and Conor posing their new Eagles gear!

Mommy and Conor posing their new Vikings gear!

We spent the entire week of Christmas--almost 10 days--invading Grandma and Grandpa's house!! We watched movies, baked Christmas cookies, went shopping, played games (including Wii, thanks to Andy and Leah), and went sledding amidst the foot and a half of snow that fell throughout the week!! We had a blast! Here are some photos of opening presents from each other...

and of Christmas morning when Conor got his new slide from Santa. He was so excited that Santa ate the whole cookie and Rudolph finished the carrot!!

Zoolights

Since the first or second year we were married, Adam and I have made a tradition of heading down to Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago every December for the holiday Zoolights display. Conor was old enough this year to really enjoy the lights, the holiday music, the animals, and even the crafts. And fortunately, it didn't seem as cold as it was. In fact, I may have even OVER-bundled us up, if you can say that in 20-degree temperatures in Chicago! :)

Conor enjoyed coloring the Christmas-themed magnets.

He got to make a marshmallow snowman treat.

And was very proud to show it off.

And even more excited to taste it.

Daddy and Conor next to the gorilla statue (Daddy's favorite).

Mommy and Conor's turn.

Conor letting out some energy in one of the oversized termite hills.

Daddy and Conor with the hippos. Conor sang "I want a hippopotamus for Christmas" while he sat on the statue and watched the sleeping hippos.

Mommy and Conor enjoying the festivities.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

Christmas Card and Decorations

As usual, we waited until the last minute to pose for our Christmas card picture, so we did it one evening at home with the self-timer on our camera. Being that it was near bedtime and no one was in the mood, it was an adventure, as usual. As I was choosing the pictures to post here, I could have made a whole montage of the faces and failed attempts...frowns, laughs, fingers up Conor's nose, heads tilted, goofy grins, you name it...Overall, I think he made a pretty handsome little feature!

Peek-a-boo

Giggles (and too much yellow in the background)

Helping decorate the tree.

Conor loved to help decorate this year. He seemed to have one favorite branch, though, and every ornament he placed on the tree went to that same branch. And he didn't quite grasp the concept of the ornament hooks, so mostly they all just got set right onto that branch in the lower corner of the tree. He was so excited to help, it was hard to have to move them around to spread them out...but he didn't seem to mind! And every night, he loves to be the one to turn on the lights to the tree and the village!! He just might love Christmas as much as his mommy.

Body Of Christ

When Conor was at a friend's house during one of Adam's finals, they made one of these shrunken versions of his hand. As he was showing it to me later that night, rather than say "look at my little hand" or something, out of nowhere, he handed it to me and said "Body of Christ", like he was giving me communion at church!! It was so cute and caught us so off-guard. I guess he really is paying a little attention when we think he is the biggest distraction to the surrounding pews!! Not sure if it's a phase, or the reaction he got, but since then, he has found plenty of other things to imitate dispensing the "Body of Christ": coins, cards, paper, whatever. So endearing and hopefully he will continue to grow with Jesus in his heart. :)

First Snow of the Season

Conor woke up to the first snow of the season that amounted to any accumulation. It was so cute to see him in his jammies, staring out the window to see the winter wonderland!! He still loves to look at the snow out the windows; though, just like his mama, he is not a fan of the bitter cold that comes along with it!!