Christmas Eve with Grandpa Bob and Grandma Sherry!

We celebrated Christmas Eve with Jon’s Dad and Sherry, and Jon’s Uncle Vaughn, Aunt Laurie, cousins Becky and Ashley, and Ashley’s boyfriend Brandon, at Jon’s Dad’s house (that was a mouthful!). We had a great time – good food, good conversation, and good presents too! :)

Mommy and Daddy looking cozy on the steps
(Elijah wouldn't sit with them).

Last year Eli didn’t totally get the present-opening thing, but he really got in to it this year! Though at first I think he would have been just as happy pulling the tissue paper out of the bags and not worrying about the presents underneath, in the end he began to understand the concept that FUN THINGS are in the packages he is opening!

Hmm, I'm not so sure about this big gift . . .

Here, Grandpa. If you put it on my head I'll put it back on yours!Elijah got some really cool presents from Grandpa Bob and Grandma Sherry – including a children’s Bible (with beautiful illustrations), and Go Blue Michigan football book for kids, and a personalized Sesame Street book with pictures of him on every page! This book has to be seen to be believed – it is awesome! Eli’s head is cropped on to a little boy’s body, and he helps the Sesame Street characters find the missing letter of the day (an E, obviously!). His name is used all through the book, and his birthday is the number of the day. Since we received the book on Sunday night I think I’ve read this thing to Elijah at least two or three times a day – all the way through, which his insists on, even though the book is at least twenty pages (lots of words!) long. What a great gift!

Elijah also received an art easel which I know he’s going to love. We haven’t taken it out yet since we’ve been busy celebrating the holidays and getting ready to go to Grand Rapids, so Elijah has been enjoying the box so far. If he enjoys the actual easel as much as the box then it will be a hit! He keeps looking at the box and standing on it and dancing. Goofy.

Standing on them was pretty fun, so Elijah decided to sit on top of the gifts too . . .

The highlight of all the gifts though had to be the handmade blocks that Grandpa Bob made for Elijah. Eli’s eyes lit up when he saw them and he hasn’t stopped playing with them since we got them home! Whenever I pick them up he just runs around yelling, “bla bla blas” – blocks blocks blocks – until I get them all out again! What a wonderful gift of love for little Elijah. Our little boy is certainly blessed with generous and giving grandparents – he’s a fortunate little one!

Look at these blocks! I'm so happy!
Elijah and Grandpa building towers together.

Sorry, Grandpa, your building didn't pass inspection and had to be demolished.