Nana & Papu Visit

Eric's parents drove up from Alabama on the Thursday after Christmas. It had been a year since they last visited and we were all very excited to have them here for a few days. On their first night here we got a babysitter and went out in Ellicott City for drinks and dinner. We had a great time catching up! Hayden enjoyed lots of trips to the mall with Nana and Papu and on New Year's Day we visited the train museum again! We also got a chance to visit with our brother-in-laws family who live in the area. Mel & George left early New Year's day to get back on the road. We had a great time and hope to see them again soon! Here are a few pics from their visit....

Walking to the the trains!



















Eric & Hayden checking out the trains



















Excited the real train went by



















Playing in the caboose














Mel & George



















Happy New Year!

Christmas Day x 2

Christmas day Hayden woke up to many presents under the tree and was very patient waiting for daddy to get home before he opened any. Everyone was excited to see Eric and get the opening under way. Hayden made it through 3 or 4 gifts and just wanted to play with his new firetruck. He ended up taking 3 days to get through all his gifts. :) Eric was originally supposed to work Monday but they gave him the day off last minute so we were excited to get to travel to my sister's house Christmas night to do a second round of Christmas Eve and Day with my niece and nephew. Hayden had a great Christmas and is enjoying all of his new toys, books, puzzles, etc. Here are some pics form our Christmas x 2!

Hayden's first look at what Santa brought.



















Ryan and Hayden tackling Eric



















Opening gifts



















Opening gifts is exhausting















More gifts at Aunt Vicki's



















Hangin with my daddy

Christmas Eve

This year we spent Christmas Eve at our place. Eric was on call but my parents and my sister's family all traveled to us to stay the night and have Christmas morning here for Hayden. The kids had fun getting ready for Santa. Grammy brought huge gingerbread men for the kids to decorate and we relaxed before bed watching the Polar Express in our new jammies. It was so nice to have all my family here! Here are some of my favorite pics from the night....

Hayden decorating his gingerbread man














Hayden, Ryan, and Sarah














Watching the Polar Express














Putting out the milk and cookies for Santa....and carrots for the reindeer














Santa has arrived!

Christmas Playdates

We had lots of fun playdates leading up until Christmas. We hosted a Polar Express Playdate for my mom's group and Hayden had a blast. The kids all got their very own ticket for the Polar Express and a bell just like in the movie. I made lots of fun treats for the kids and moms.
**all food and craft ideas thanks to Pinterest :)















Taking a break to watch the movie



















Hayden ringing his bell!



















Next we went to a friends house for cookie baking and decorating. I did most of the decorating but my friend caught a couple good shots when Hayden did sit down to help me. :)


































We had another friend over to make fun ornaments. We did a thumbprint and hand print ornament which I thought turned out really cute.






































Thumbprint Reindeer



















Hand print Snowmen