Welcome 2010!

Hello All. Another holiday season behind us...I had no idea what crazy was until this year. Experiencing holiday travels and festivities with an infant in tow is a whole different type of crazy!! Despite the chaos, we had a great time visiting family and friends. We started on the 23rd with a drive down to Philly. I had spent the day while John was at work attempting to get us all ready to go. Jack, however, was not very much a fan of that plan because that meant mommy was not very attentive to him. So after a lot of sweat and tears, we were on the road by 6pm and in Philly by 1130pm. Not bad for our first time traveling with an infant.

We spent 5 days in Philly with the Claypool clan. Having Liam and Ber with the two newborns was a lot of fun. Here are some cute pics from our Philly Christmas.

Jack and his new cousin Samuel Webb Kurtz ("Webb") on Christmas Eve.Jack's first Christmas morningNana and Papa Bill Bill with all the grandkids. Liam, Ber, Webb, and Jack.Webb KurtzPapa Bill Bill with Webb and JackMommy & JackToo much excitement...naptime for Jack.Alex, Lee, & Ber...aka the Galanii : )Uncle John with Liam, now almost 3, he loves, loves, loves his trains.Daddy and Jack were pooped after the Christmas morning festivities.Daddy & Jack with Maarten & Samuel Jacbos.

In a week of firsts for Jack, he also had his first trip to the park. It wasn't very snowy and not too cold, so we bundled him up and went to the park with Nana & Papa Bill Bill, Liam, Aunt Lee, and Ber. Jack seemed to like it. Here are some pics.

Aunt Lee & Ber with Daddy & JackNana Cis & Ber with Mommy & JackAunt Lee with John Berihu "Ber"

If we thought our time in Philly was a little chaotic with all the little ones, then we were definitely in for a shock when we arrived in Michigan for Christmas with my side of the family. We are up to nine grandkids in that family, with four new additions this year (the youngest just a couple weeks old...). It was hectic but still a great time. Here are some of the pics from Christmas in Michigan.

Ava...such a cutie.Aunt Sara with Landen & AidenUncle John with Landen...seriously one of the most photogenic kids ever!Jack loves his passie (how do you spell that??)Taylor with EthanEthan William Venema, just over a week old!Ava again...can't get enough of this little one : )Genna loves having her picture taken...such a cheese!At the end of the day, Genna and Austin decided they would make a little cash from all the food we had leftover. They put prices on all the plates and tried to get money from us adults...$5 for a Rice Krispy treat is a little rich for my blood... : )

Finally, after all of our festivities, we made our way back home to Rhody to the peace and quiet of our little home. Jack did amazing on his first plane ride. The poor guy spent 17 hours in a car seat on Sunday as we made our way home, and he barely made a peep. What a trooper!

I hope all your holidays were as enjoyable as ours!