Merry Christmas To All Our Family And Dear Friends!

It was indeed a wonderful Christmas, family and friendship and love and joy! Our first Christmas in our beautiful new home :)

Bodhi and Buddha made out like Christmas bandits, wow the numbers of toys and new clothes are incredible, to say the least! We started our day with an early morning visit from you, Buddha, as you joined us about 4 a.m. (Mommy says, Daddy has no memoryJ) and stayed with us until Bodhi awakened in time from a visit from Grandmoo, GiGi, and GiPa who were here to witness the ample evidence that Santa indeed had been here (this was later confirmed independently by the animal shelter agents who came back by the neighborhood and confirmed the suspect “prints” were reindeer prints and indeed there was “fresh” evidence of new reindeer prints on our roof…).

A bit later, Grandpa Kurt came by bearing even more gifts (a basketball goal for your bedroom, Bodhi and a blow-up playpen with lots and lots of balls for you Buddha—which you both loved!). All in all, the two of you now have child computers, giant stuffed animals (Bodhi did a fast one on you Buddha and she now has the Zebra, you now have the giant caterpillarJ), backpacks (you even have a man-purse, which you love Buddha!), animal toys, zoo toys, clothes, I could go on and on but Daddy is running out of steam…

By noon, we were on the road for our long trek to Vincennes, where Grandma Holsapple, your aunts and uncles and your cousins spoiled the two of you (and all of us) rottenJ More toys! More clothes! More goodies! My ol’my, we all ended up Christmas bandits! Dolls, clothes, trucks, clothes, tents, clothes, art supplies, clothes, a shopping cart of your own JudeJ, more clothes, and loads and loads of attention—you both ate it up!

It was great seeing everyone, and we truly are blessed in too many ways to even count. What a very special family we have (and we will be joined by a new baby next August when Abby and Aaron have their first—and Aunt Debbie’s and Uncle Mike’s first grandbabyJ). We missed Cody and Missy and Kellen, but were assured they are doing fine.

So, we made our way home arriving around 10 p.m., and you both were angels coming home, though it is evident angel Jude is teethingJ Mommy got the two of you ready for bed with the help of Grandmoo who was here taking care of Murffee and Arlo, so you both had the bonus of seeing Grandmoo again! Daddy unloaded all the presents, gifts, and goodies (and kept helping himself to his secret stash of cookiesJ) and Daddy agreed to log our blog…you can tell I’m tiredJ.

So, for sure and for positive, Daddy says Merry Christmas to all and to all a good nightJ. Love and Peace!!!

You two must have been really good this year! :)

"Oooooh Daddy, LOOK!"

"Wowzers!"

You two were having a blast... overwhelmed, but super excited!

Bodhi, Santa brought you the Dora backpack you wanted from Target, and he also brought you a Hello Kitty backpack to carry your child laptop in :)-

You both loved the elphant that floats balls into the air!

Bodhi and Buddha working out the details of a custody agreement for Mr. Zebra  hee/hee

Grandpa Kurt gifts :)

Buddha of course enjoying some time in the box!

Bodhi, you thought Juders was having too much fun inside the box, you wanted inside too!

Buddha and Bodhi with cousin Krissy... meeting one of the four-legged critters :)

"Oooooooh, MINE SISSY!"

Aunt Terrie, Krissy, Jude, Aaron, Daddy, Uncle Rico aka Uncle Brad, Abby, Uncle Mike, Aunt Debbie, Cousin Derick, Cousin Katie, Aunt Dee, Cousin Bree, cousin Ella, Grandma Betty and Bodhi babe :)

Buddha, this picture cracked me up... "FAN!" "Light!"

Aunt Dee, Cousin Bree, and Cousin Ella :)

Christmas Eve 2011

Wow, what a wondrous day…early this morning fur was flying, no pun intended, when agents from the animal shelter were wandering the neighborhood following up on reports of animal tracks from the past week in folks’ back yards…we’ll have to wait and see what this proves all about…

After an early morning rise (especially for you, Bodhi—you are showing signs of following in your Mommy’s footsteps of wandering early in the morning and ending up in our bed where you literally babbled to yourself for at least thirty minutes), and breakfast of a muffin and pancakes and juice and hot coffee for Mommy and Daddy, Mommy got the two of you bundled up for a “carriage ride” and Daddy got out our super-stroller. It proved a bit more nippy than Daddy counted on (I just wore a t-shirt and light jacket—no gloves, thank goodness I had a light sock hat in my pocketJ), but the two of you were bundled warmly and covered with blankets and sheltered by the stroller hood. So, off we went on a one hour expedition, greeting a few people and animals along the way with “Happy Holiday,” making our way downtown along Walnut Street and around the downtown area checking out new restaurants (at least new to Daddy). We were stocked with goldfish crackers and water, and the two of you seemed to absolutely love the journey, especially noting, Buddha, that you sang along with Daddy as I sang Christmas carols on our journey. We then made our way back west along Sycamore admiring the many beautiful homes, then we turned and headed back to Foster Park, did a full circle and made our way home. We were all happy to be home (especially Daddy with his frozen handsJ), and we played and watched Nickelodeon as Mommy prepared us lunch.

Not long after lunch, the two of you were down for the count for your naps, and Mommy and Daddy both took advantage of the time to get some work finished. Mommy finished helping Santa, and Daddy got the pick-up and finished up most of the remainder of the work needing done at our former house garage.

By the time evening rolled around, the two of you were beside yourselves (that’s an expression that generally means you were “all worked up” {in a good wayJ}) about going out to dinner with Grandmoo, GiGi, and GiPa; Mommy gave you both baths, and got you all dressed up, and Mommy got dressed up in one of Daddy’s favorite outfits, especially her bootsJ and even Daddy got dressed up for a change and actually wore a nice sweater (instead of sweatshirtJ). We all met at the Blue Moon restaurant and had a wonderful dinner (thank you GiGi and GiPa!!!), then we went to GiGi’s and GiPa’s house to open presents for the two of you from Grandmoo, GiGi and GiPa—and wow, did the two of you make out!

Buddha, you got your own messenger bag (man-purse) which you just loved, and Bodhi you got a kitten purse which you just loved, and both of you got so many presents Daddy will have to review them all again tomorrow to even keep track—all of which you both absolutely went wild over. The two of you are in for a lot of play timeJ. By the time we made our way home just after nine-thirty, the two of you had crashed for the night in the back seat of the car. Mommy and Daddy carried each of you in to bed and set out some milk and cookies for you know who…tomorrow is another special day for two very special babies…who are so specially loved by such loving and special people…thank you Grandmoo, GiGi and GiPa…and to all a good night…J

PS I've uploaded about 50 pictures twice now and then they won't add... I'll have to try again tomorrow. :(

Christmas Eve morning adventure with Daddy :)

"I think we're all set to roll!"

And they're off!

Buddha opening Aunt Susan's gift :)

"Aunt Susan got us Bob Dylan books!!!!"  "Awesome!"

Just arrived at GiGi's and Gi-Pa's after a delicious dinner... Christmas Eve tradition :)

Buddha super excited about his man purse :)-

"Oooooh, let me smell that watch!"

Grandmoo playing Santa

Princess Bodhi :)

You two had so many gifts!!!

"Grandmoo, get that out of the box for me please!"

Brother and Sister :)

"What did you get sis?"

"Kisses for all my gifts!"

Dr. Bodhi :)

Bo putting a bandaid on Bubba... it was from her doctor set :)

GiGi and Buddha :)

"The Grills' Curse"

Bowling for Babies :)

Bo and Daddy :)

Bo and GiGi-Pa

Bo and GiGi :)

Grandoo and Bodhi girl :)

Daddy and Buddha :)

Buddha and GiGi-Pa :)

Buddha with his GiGi :)

Grandmoo and Buddha :)

Mommy and her babes :)  You two were the best Christmas present I could have ever hoped for :)

Reindeer Tracks

Early this morning, Daddy took Murffee and Arlo out to potty and Murffee began sniffing around the yard like nobody’s business, so Daddy went over to see what he was up to and discovered clear as could be a set at least nine reindeer tracks in the yard…

This morning got off to an otherwise rough start as Daddy got the two of you up and moving (which wasn’t difficult, Bodhi, for you since you got up very early and got in bed with Mommy and DaddyJ) and changed diapers and got each of you your juice and Mommy her coffee, and then Daddy had to get off to a doctor appointment with Dr. Hoshaw.

Daddy later received a report from Mommy that the three of you had tons of fun putting on your makeup and jewelry, Bodhi, and showing off for each other. Even though Mommy had a late start for her formal work day because Daddy was at the doctor’s office for hours, she said it was worth it to spend time with the two of you, Bodhi and BuddhaJ

By the time Daddy got home, the two of you were finishing lunch and not long afterwards, both of you were down for your afternoon nap while Mommy went off to work. Mommy thinks Daddy napped, too, but Daddy’s knee is hurting so bad he can’t nap…honest, MommyJ

After nap time, and while you two were eating dinner, Aunt Susan stopped by to drop off a present for each of you! She said she couldn’t stay to visit because she had just gotten off work and was tired and trying to get home, but she commented she loved what she could see of the houseJ

A little later, Sister Kelly and Brother Aaron stopped by and watched both of you while Mommy and Daddy went to the Mall and had another secret visit with Santa. When we got home, Grandmoo was there taking care of Murffee and Arlo, and afterwards came in and spent time playing with you Bodhi and helping you clean up your messy roomJ

Mommy had to go back out again for work, and Daddy stayed up watching Max and Ruby with you Bodhi before you said you were finally ready to go to bedJ

So, now the two of you are sound asleep, and even though Daddy is tired, I don’t think I can sleep because I want to see if I can catch some reindeer practice landing in our back yard…

"How do I look Momma?"

"No Bubba, No!"  "Don't eat the brush!"

"Give it back Buddha, I still have to give you a smokey eye!"

"I want to do my own smokey eye!"

"You don't have my color of concealer Momma?"

"Look at those smokey eyes!"

"Just my color!"

"Putting on makeup is hard work Momma!"

"Buddha and I look beautiful!"

"I know you say I don't need makeup Momma, but this was so much fun!"