Matthew's first Christmas (Jordan's fourth)

Jordan and Matthew in front of "their" Christmas tree.

Well, Santa was very good to both Matthew and Jordan.

We started the Christmas season last Friday (Dec. 19) with the Jordan-Kimsey family get-together. We decided to forego the traditional video gift exchange, and instead went to Incredible Pizza Company. We ate pizza, played games and had a great time visiting. Jordan and Matthew both received a ton of gifts. Jordan received more Diego paraphenalia than the law should allow! Matthew got some great toys, too; unfortunately, Jordan opened the presents at break-neck speed, so we have no idea who gave what. So, to all those who gave Jordan and Matthew stuff: Thank you.

Jordan unwraps Matthew's T-ball game with Mom's help.

Our next Christmas celebration came on Christmas Eve. We started with our church's Christmas Eve service at 5 p.m., and then headed to Papa and Emo's for dinner and presents. Jordan got a Diego game, a train to his train set, a Texas Rangers baseball and more. Matthew got a personalized baseball bat from the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory (as did Dondi; Jordan and I got ours last year) and a couple of great little toys that are designed to stimulate development. Or make noise. Or something like that. :) He also got a really cute outfit. (Matthew slept through the entire time at Emo and Papa's so he actually had to open his Christmas morning).

Christmas morning started at 7 a.m. with Aunt Cristina, Emo, Papa, Gee and Jo-jo stopping by. Jordan cleaned up from Santa Claus, getting a new piece to his train set, the Chutes and Ladders boardgame, cars and more toys than he knew what to do with. Matthew got a spinning zoo set, clothes and lots of stuff to chew on. We wrapped up the morning with a delicious breakfast: fruit, scrambled eggs, bacon, biscuits, gravy, and a sausage-and-cream-cheese roll (delicious, it tastes like biscuits and gravy all in a neat little crescent roll). Thanks to Emo and Jo-jo for helping in the kitchen.

Jordan plays with the new mountain and tunnel part of his train set.

Matthew checks out the frog Jordan got him for Christmas.

Christmas afternoon we relaxed and napped, and then we had dinner (tacos) with Jo-jo and Gee.

The day after Christmas was sale time, since it was my Friday off from work. Dondi was at J.C. Penney at The Parks just as it opened to get a pair of boots (all women's boots were $34.99 from 5:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., so she had to jump at it) and she got a few things for the boys. Kohl's was a similar shopping treat for her. I went around 10 a.m. to the J.C. Penney in Burleson and found nothing of what I wanted, but did pick up a couple of things for the boys. (Notice a pattern?) :)

Saturday, Dec. 27, was Christmas with Gee, Jo-jo, D&M, cousin Everett and Mimi. It was also Everett's first Christmas (Everett is like 10 days older than Matthew). D&M and Everett were just back from Walt Disney World, so we received lots of gifts from the Magic Kingdom (including an all-day lollipop from Mickey Mouse to Jordan - he loved it). Jordan picked up cowboy boots, more toys, a UT Longhorns T-shirt, some Diego pajamas, a bouncer ball, some Thomas the Tank Engine toy pieces to go to their train table and set they have and more toys. Matthew got a really cute mirror/music stand that he adores a UT Longhorns onsie, and more toys then he'll ever know what to do with! We had lunch with the Jordans, then watched Fried Green Tomatoes before heading home.

Matthew just laughs as he looks around the room at the Jordans' on Saturday.

Dondi kicks back for a moment of rest.

The ever-shy Jordan hams it up in the center of the living room.

Everett is interested to see what's in this box.

Sunday morning, we kind of returned to normal. We went to church (no Christmas carols) and then had "brunch" at a local McDonald's (when you have two preschoolers, you go where they want to). Sunday afternoon, the kids napped, Dondi went to the grocery store and we got ready to face the week ahead. And don't even get me started on the Eagles-Cowboys game.

Back to work tomorrow. :)

And, just as a reminder of what Christmas is really all about... Take it away Linus.

Jordan

Emo and Papa came over to take care of the leaves since Dad's allergies are keeping him confined to the inside of the house (BTW, the yard looks great). Jordan, on the other hand, hammed it up for the camera.

Matthew's 6-month doctor's checkup

Matthew is doing well after his six-month checkup (and immunizations). He is now 19 pounds and 28 inches long.

He received his third Hepatitis B vaccine, the Diphtheria, Teatnus, Acellular Pertussis vaccine, the Influenzae Type B, Pneumococcal conjugate, polio and rotavirus immunizations. Whew. That's a lot of typing.

He's growing well and is above the median point in terms of both height and weight among boys his age. Matthew also has five teeth coming in right now.

Breakfast with Santa

Last Saturday, we took Jordan and Matthew to breakfast with Santa. Jordan's "church school" (Mother's Day Out) sponsored the breakfast, and Santa came to hear the kids' requests.

Jordan was happy to be back at church school, but wasn't sure what to make of Santa.

First, he would only sit near Santa.



Then, when Santa was holding Matthew, Jordan decided he could stand near Santa. :)

Matthew's Baby Dedication

We dedicated Matthew at church today. It was a really nice service. In total today, we had 24 families dedicate their children. There were 14 in our service.

The lighting in our worship center didn't cooperate with our pictures, unfortunately (though our pastor said it looked like a press conference on CNN up there), so there is a giant shadow that looks like a huge stain on my shirt on all the pictures of me. However, here is a picture of Matthew, Dondi and me outside the worship center in our grand atrium by the Christmas tree.