Gifts of Joy: Christmas 2008

Now that I've announced the arrival of spring, it seemed an appropriate time to post pictures from Christmas 2008. Haha!

This year, we enjoyed the sweetness of a 2 year old's wonder and excitement in all the festivities related to the season. From the train around our Christmas tree to the presents on Christmas Day, the trip to Lancaster and the lovely visit with Uncle Andy & Aunt Lizzie and their adoreable dog, Lily, what wonderful memories we made!

On Christmas Eve, we hosted Ben's family for dinner. James and his cousins sat at their own table. And when it came time to say grace, these three held hands without our prompting.

Before Ben and I went to bed on Christmas Eve, we set up the living room.

It's not really clear in this picture, but there is a very small electric train on the table in the left of this picture. Ben's mom had found it among some things that belong to his grandparents. We decided to make a little train board and set up a circle track for James on Christmas morning.

Here is James coming down with Daddy on Christmas morning - hardly a surprise to anyone who knows this boy - his eyes lit on the miniature train instantly.

Enjoying a brief coffee and apple cake break in the early-morning present opening.

And back to more presents...

Helping James open his big present...

What is it, son?

TRAINS!!

Hmmm... this is a lot to process... there are 130 piece to put together. Where do I begin?

Here is our attempt to capture James and his cousins on Ben's side... Ha! 5-year-old Anna was very cooperative. James, who NEVER sucks on his fingers wouldn't take them out of his mouth for anything. What can I say? He's two?!

After Christmas, we enjoyed a wonderful visit to Lancaster to spend the weekend with my mom and dad and my sister and her family. We were sad that my brother and his wife and two boys couldn't be with us.