christmas time!

Lincoln’s first Christmas was a success! First of all, our tree stayed up for the rest of the season. I was really thinking it would be on the ground when we got back from our travels, but thankfully it was still standing.

Before we left for Illinois, we had our own family Christmas. Lincoln ate/opened his gifts and then took a nap. Carl and I were then able to open our gifts and have a nice breakfast. Like last year, we ended up leaving earlier than we originally planned to get ahead of the storm. I always want Christmas celebrations to be slow and relaxing. It was relaxing until we finally decided to leave 4 hours early. Then the race began to pack everything we needed for 10 days. We actually made it out the door on time and didn’t forget anything. A miracle!

Stockings! Lay off my Raisnets, kid!!

We first visited with Carl’s family for a few days before Christmas. It was fun to be with everyone again. Lincoln got some cool new toys and warm clothes which he really needed. In Illinois, Lincoln wakes up at 5:30 because of the time change which is a little annoying. But we have early birds in our families which is very helpful.

The whole gang!

Our nephew, Garrett, wasn’t too happy being taken away from his mom when he was tired and ready to go home. It looks like he’s looking for sympathy from Lincoln who is unaware what is going on. Lincoln did start mimicking Garrett’s crys at one point. It was a soft half-hearted wah after Garrett was crying. It was pretty funny to hear.

Christmas Eve night we drove to my parents’ house after Lincoln was asleep for the night. I think this was the first Christmas that we were at my house since we’ve been married. It was a slow day of opening presents, eating fondue, and watching the snow fall. The next day we had my dad’s side of the family over. It is always a fun time to play games, catch up, and eat. Lincoln got to meet a few new faces and play with his older cousins (well actually they are second cousins, but who cares). And he helped me rock his new cousin Zora (our first girl in the family since me!). On Sunday, we headed to LINCOLN park zoo downtown Chicago. We started this tradition last year. They have lights all over the zoo and some were coordinated to music. It was extremely cold and due to Lincoln’s schedule we didn’t have a ton of time. It will be a nice tradition to continue, especially when Lincoln is old enough to be excited about the animals.  He liked the lights from his cocoon which everyone envied.

Lincoln playing with Nick, my cutie god son.

Bundled up!

The lights!

Off to Columbus! To avoid potential bad weather again and because our car was packed full, we drove back to Muncie first after the zoo and after Lincoln was fast asleep to unload. It was a long night and then we left the next morning to head to Columbus for the Ignite conference. It was kind of a blur of three days. There was a lot of traveling from hotel to church to get to the nursery to drop Lincoln off and trying to get back for Lincoln’s naps. He did really well in the nursery and in the hotel. So thankful!

I was sort of shocked at something one of the cute old nursery ladies did to Lincoln while he was there. Lincoln’s face was really chapped from being in a dry hotel and traveling for 10 days. It had gotten really red the last day we were in Columbus. When I came in to pick him up, Lincoln had a white face…even whiter than normal. She said she put Desitin (diaper rash cream) all over his chapped face to help it. She said she used to use it on her kids. I think she might have seen my surprised face because she kept telling me how well it worked. I was a little horrified by the smell of his face, but it worked okay. I think I’ll stick to my own cream.

Carl emceed the conference with Neil. They were hilarious or what I saw of them. But I heard about all the stuff I missed for sure. This made Carl completely swamped as well. Even though I was so rushed, I was glad I went along. I was able to go to half of the sessions and saw a lot of people, mostly in passing.

Needless to say, we were all very glad to be home! It was a great time to be with family and friends. We are very thankful for so much love and fun times over the last month. Lincoln is loaded up with new toys that he loves and we are enjoying our new movies, books, clothes, and games. Whew…longest post ever! Done.

~ by carolynafrost on January 9, 2010.