Christmas Time!

We had a marvelous visit to NH for Christmas. We made it safely to my
parents home on the 20th after being delayed by the blizzard of 2009.
It was a wonderful week filled with lots of yummy food, warm fires,
lots of time to visit with friends and family and loads of time
watching Ian discover the world around him. When we arrived at my
parents house there was a fleet of toys waiting for Ian in the living
room. It looked like the main floor of FAO Schwartz!!!! A few weeks
before we arrived my Dad found a baby consignment shop and had a
wonderful time bringing treasures home for his only grandson. There
was a scooter, tricycle, sled and of course the Engine Number 7 fire
truck. There was a giant stuffed dragon, a tractor that made loud
engine sounds and shook when the "engine" started, a dancing bear on a
stand and play center, a roving ball and more! Ian had a blast but I
think we had even more fun watching him play with his toys. Mom and
dad had also set up a full size crib for him in their bedroom and
graciously let us sleep every night while they got up with Ian while
he adjusted to the time zone. He loved his "sleep overs". Unlike at
home, he could order a midnight snack and have it delivered promptly
in a bottle! He's going to find it hard to go back to sleeping in his
room at home without such the room service he has grown accustomed to :)
Stephen and I had a chance to go away for a night and had a lovely
time just being together, thinking back on what an incredible year it
has been and looking forward to the year ahead. We ended the week
with a wonderful Christmas. Ian is still too young to understand the
significance but he did enjoy playing with the wrapping paper and
eating cookies from Great Grammy. It was a special time to have four
generations together, sharing in the simple pleasures that haven't
changed for centuries... The joy of being together for a holiday and
the the amazing gift of watching a baby smile and discover the world
around him. Here are just a few pictures from my cell phone.... Many
many more to come when I download our camera at home.