Merry Christmas!

What a wonderful Christmas we had! Its hard to believe its already over - in fact yesterday we actually took down our tree. (We're keeping the rest of the decorations up for a while longer - but the tree just had to go. Poor thing, if you just looked at it it started raining needles.) :) I really think that this Christmas season went by so much faster than any other. Maybe it has something to do with having a toddler? Who knows... Nevertheless, we were able to do some really fun Christmas season traditions: making Santa cookies, driving around to look at Christmas lights with hot chocolate, watching the movie ELF, watching the living nativity at Horizon church, plus lots of other things.

Samuel had a great Christmas too! He loves looking at Christmas lights. He also loved smelling the Christmas tree - and while doing so would often pull off ornaments, then look at me and say "uh-oh" until I put it back for him. :)

On a Sammy note, he is 16 months old, and is doing a LOT more talking than he used to! Almost a new word every day... he is also getting really good at repeating words that we say, which is fun. Of course, they don't sound exactly like the words we say, but he's getting there. (For example: "peek-a-boo" is "pa-boo" and "spoon" is more like "boon") :) What a cutie!

We spent the weekend before Christmas up in SCV celebrating with Andrew's family. Then spent Christmas day with Jessica's family. Here are just a few of the photos - enjoy!

Sammy with Gramps & Auntie Amy.

Opening his Christmas presents at Grammy & Gramps house

Christmas morning at home and SO EXCITED that Santa came! :)

Opening more presents... Samuel is now a pro at unwrapping gifts.

Our family in front of the Christmas tree

Sammy donning his new monkey hat & mittens from Mamoe & Grandad

And here's cute little Sam on Christmas day at the Whites. He always has such a fun time there running around with his cousins.

We hope you all had a great Christmas too! We are so thankful for all of you and especially thankful for our most wonderful gift of eternal life through God's son!