Merry Christmas Part 1

Merry Christmas! We had such a good time hanging out with my side of the family this year. Next year is the Heath year and we can't wait to get together!! Colton (Mitch's youngest brother) will be home sometime in November/December and I have a new nephew due the 14th of next month (Woohoo Sereen! Almost there!), and hopefully we'll have a place of our own sooner than later. Yep, 2012 is shaping up to be a great year.

Papi (my stepdad) helps Derek unwrap a gift at Nana's (my mom)

Derek took his time trying to figure out how this Thomas the Train pop up fort works

He figured out how to crawl in the attached pop up caboose to get to the pop up Thomas engine

Derek was pretty protective of this Thomas toy

Opening presents with Ganka (Jeff) and Gankama (Tammy)

Everyone loved this car floor mat

Gammy (my grandma) got him a robot puppy since he couldn't have a real one - he loved it!

Another gift from Gammy and Papa (my grandparents) - this frog blanket is too cute!

One of the gifts from Grandpa and Grandma Bazemore - it's a toddler sized string-the-beads-on-the-lanyard game to help fine motor skills. Surprisingly, this is one of his favorite games.

Speaking of my Dad, Derek and I went down to Ingleside to visit for my Dad's birthday. We carpooled with my sisters and had a great time! Unfortunately, Mitch couldn't get the time off work but he had a nice, quiet week of sleeping undisturbed. ;) My Dad rented an entire house for us to stay at in City by the Sea, TX. It was such a cute little house! Two bedrooms upstairs complete with kitchen and living room and downstairs was a one bedroom stand-alone apartment. Derek and I slept downstairs while Kelly, Amy, Valerie and Denise slept in the two bedrooms upstairs. I loved the beach theme that was displayed throughout the house and the fact that the house was built on a canal that opened up to the bay. So cool! There were always birds out in the canal and Derek wasn't sure what to think of them. He loved to be taken out onto the deck to look at the dead fish in the canal though. Kind of weird.

Keeping an almost-2-year-old occupied for an 8 hour car ride is very tricky

Luckily, Aunt Val shared her headphones. :)



Derek is sad to see Shannon leave

Derek has his first crush! My friend, Shannon! Don't let the look fool you, I think she was flattered. ;)

We met Craig and Shannon while Mitch was stationed in Del Rio. Then Craig was transferred to Corpus to continue training. We're so glad we got to see them again (But Mitch was bummed he missed it)!

Self-proclaimed King of the Chair

Poor Ryan didn't want to sit in the chair with Denise and Derek

My cousin Suzie (Ryan's Grandma) helped him take a picture with Denise and Derek



Derek and Ryan played so well together! They certainly went to bed tired and happy that night. WARNING: turn your volume down - the kids are screaming

Derek was fascinated with my Dad's birthday cakes and I'm so glad to see my Dad happy! Happy birthday, Daddy!!



Blowing out candles with Grandpa



Aunt Val was a big hit again on the trip back to Dallas. WARNING: More screaming.

Saw these bumper stickers on the back of a 18-wheeler and my sisters begged for a picture. Notice one side says "passing side" and the other says...