All bath tubs must eventually drain

Sadly, I type these words on the final eve of my holiday vacation. It is quite tragic, but to counter the blues let's share a few highlights from the extended break.

You've seen Christmas morning at our house, but a few hours after opening our presents here we headed over to my parents house and the madness continued.


This is a shot of Jason opening his first gift. It was a plush, blackbear that did an automated dance. Seconds after this was taken, Jason ran terrified away from the gift.... not a big hit this year.
The presents just kept coming and Jason warmed back up after the dancing bear scare and continued to open enough presents to make daddy bleary-eyed.




One of the next gifts was a little more acceptable to his taste - a football. Still getting some good play time, even on Jan. 4.

After second Christmas at my parents house, we- of course- stuffed ourselves on ham and casseroles and rolls (or were they biscuits?) and a variety of other good things to eat and packed up our loot (next year we'll need the roof rack for sure!) and went home to snuggle in for a long winter's night.

A few days later, Susan and Sam and little Sean, and Sarge (the dog) arrived to celebrate another day of gift giving and hanging out with family. From Uncle Sam and Aunt Susan, Jason received one of the best presents a kid ever gets: his first bike! Here is the moment in all of its splendor -
You must be thinking we are derelict in our duties as safety marshals. Don't worry, though, we made Jason wear a helmet.
We picked this little beauty up at the MADD Walk for Life for free. In case you can't see, it is purple and is decorated with butterflies. First of all, some boys probably like purple and butterflies. Second, who cares - he won't remember the helmet we made him wear when he was two.....will he?

Sean's present from his Aunt Sandra and Uncle Matt wasn't quite as momentous. It was a thing with some balls and hammer that squeaks that is probably destined to be under-appreciated until Sean is old enough to really smack the balls hard enough to get them through the holes. Whatever. It was a fun morning all the same.



Sam and Susan made the drive all the way to Cincinnati from St. Louis just to leave the next day (how cool is that?). I think that qualifies them for the world's nicest sister and brother/ aunt and uncle award. I dare you to try to think of someone more qualified.

A day after Sam and Susan left we were joined in Cincinnati by my {Mother and Father} -in-law. They came be with us for our fourth Christmas celebration and for Jason's birthday on the 1st.
We enjoyed some gift giving and receiving, yet again.

Jason was really getting the hang of playing Santa Claus and bringing presents to people. He was great about not trying to open everything himself.
He also enjoyed it when his Grandy opened presents and threw paper all over the room!









Finally, Christmas came to an end and we immediately began preparations for Jason's birthday.
What can I say, the boy loves to mix cakes. And I used to like the bearcats. The party was a blast!

The kids all stayed busy, thanks to Nanee and large quantities of rice. Everyone had a fun time and got to take home some cool shakers.










Finally, Jason opened some presents (once again). We realized later that these couple of weeks will be the only time he ever opens presents all year. So present overload isn't that bad when you put it in that perspective.


A sincere thanks to all of our family and friends that made the holidays special for us. Adieu!