Blue-eyed Brice

I apparently forgot everything I knew about DSLR photography over the holidays, except for one afternoon in Concord when the light was perfect and I was able to capture a joyful Brice and his glorious blue eyes. Aside from cropping, none of these images were retouched.

Holidays 2012: Christmas in Concord

The day after Christmas, we quickly packed up and set out for Concord to celebrate Christmas with the Lamonts. I am so disappointed because I barely got any pictures! We had such a great holiday (again, with so many gifts!) and laughed so much. These photos only gift you a taste of our celebration.

We got Amelia a microphone with a base that plays music. It was a hit! All three of the big kids serenaded us (Uncle Scott did introductions).

 

 

Brice and Grammy

One of the prized gifts was a giant Minion. Chase is a huge fan of Despicable Me ("Despicable Movie" as he calls it). The Concord Lamonts came across this Minion at a carnival-type game and had to have it. Grammy even hand washed it to ensure it would be perfect for Christmas!

 

As I said, we are lacking in pictures! Consider this fair warning, family: We will be sitting down to take official pictures at every gathering going forward.

 

Regardless, our time in Concord was lovely. Chase especially enjoyed playing with his cousins and Brice loved crawling all over the place and following the big kids around. Stephen and we all enjoyed being with Grammy and Grampy, Geoff and Carrie, Scott and Amy, and Sandra and Stan. We were also happy that we got to spend a little bit of time with Carolyn, (Reverend) Ray, Tucker, and Ally. Another reminder of why we love the holidays!

 

Merry Christmas, 2012!

Holidays 2012: Christmas Day

(I am trying to get all the holiday posts done by the end of January...we'll see whether I can do it!)

After Brice's nap we went to Joey and Meg's house to celebrate. While the kids naps (but not all at the same time...that would have been too easy!), the adults exchanged gifts. After the kids all woke up, Santa arrived!

 

Before dinner, we had to change into our mustaches.

 

We had a delicious dinner (many complements to the chefs!) and hung out with Uncle Douglas, Uncle Bob, and Grandpa.

 

Finally, the big kids took a bath and changed into their jammies to watch Finding Nemo. Poor sweet Addy was getting sick and did not feel well.

But if you're gonna get sick on Christmas, it's best to have cousin there to comfort you!

 

It was a wonderful, crazy, funny Christmas filled with lots of presents and even more smiles. We did miss Grandma... a lot...but the children were quite distracting. We all agreed that she would have been proud of the way we carried on the traditions and her generoisity and love of giving and being with our family. I'd like to think she and Madison were smiling down on us. We love you, Grandma!

Captured on the iPhone

I just can't get enough of my guys. Brice thinks he is a big boy and Chase is happy to have someone following him around.

Weight-lifting. Already.

 I also need to get a new phone with a better camera! Happy Tuesday!

Holiday 2012: Christmas Eve and Morning

Christmas Eve we continued a Zayac family tradition (at least from when I was a kid) of going to the children's mass. We had to get there over 45 minutes early to get a seat, but both kids were very well-behaved and had a lot of admirers by the time we headed home.

Afterwards, Chase was awed by the nativity...

And how cool is this picture?

Our attempt at a family photo was moderately successful...at least we are all looking?

Another tradition is to have dinner at my parents' house on Christmas Eve. When I was growing up we'd often get a few Italian heros and trays of lasagna. This year we got sushi and Chinese food!

Once again, Chase and Addy had so much fun together. It is completely accurate that the pictures of them dancing are blurry because these two kiddos were movin' and groovin!

 

After the O'burg Zayacs headed home, we tried to settled Chase. He put out cookies and milk for Santa, and of course carrots for the reindeer!

Then it was time to continue a Lamont family tradition and read 'Twas the night before Christmas. Since both Stephen and I know it by heart (it's not just a Christmas time book in our house), we let Pop do the honors.

A soft snow started to fall before Chase went to sleep and continued well into the night while Santa made  his deliveries. The next morning we awoke to:

Brice was soon awake and almost as excited for the day as his big brother. Maybe it was contagious...

 

It was finally time to go downstairs and see if Santa had come.

 "Seriously!!!!?!?!"

(yeah, Santa and his elves went a little bit overboard)

 

The rest of the morning was spent opening the countless presents and playing with them! It was beautiful, happy chaos.

 

 

Santa couldn't fit their big presents down the chimney (or really, in his Honda sled), so he left them at our house. Luckily the boys got a note and a picture of what they could expect when we got home!

 

 

We spent the rest of the morning having a leisurely breakfast, enjoying each others company, and playing with all of our new presents. We were all so blessed with wonderful gifts.  And that was just our (first) Christmas morning. Next up, Christmas Day,  followed by Christmas in Concord!