Amundsons

Hard to believe they haven't started touring yet...

We just got back from a week in NY with our cousin August (he would be the other cute blond kid in the matching Christmas PJ's). We had such a wonderful time. Charlotte got to see Santa again on Christmas Eve at Uncle Adam's restaurant, she had a much better experience this time than their first meeting at the mall (See previous post). Apparently her persuasion skills are sharp because even with the 5 time outs that night (not planning on taking an almost 2 year old to a fancy restaurant again, thank you) she was still on his "good boys and girls" list for the next morning. She loved opening her stocking and presents on Christmas morning almost as much as I enjoyed watching her open them. Why do you think that the two little children are standing next to their Grandpa who is eating ice cream, just moments away from bedtime??? Charlotte also had fun riding around on Grandpa's lawn mower and "helping" put the sprinkles on the Christmas Cookies. But she...

Today Charlie's Grammy, "BaBa" (this is what she calls Grandpa now... yes just like the sheep...not sure that he really looks like a sheep, but he will answer to it, so it may stick), Great Grandma, Aunt Sarah and Aunt Abby (who she literally bossed around the whole time, guess the pecking order has been established.... sorry Abby), all came down to St. Louis on their way to Birmingham for Christmas. We had a blast. Charlotte got to open her big present, a kitchen set with faux granite counter tops, and stainless steel appliances (if I cant have a real gourmet kitchen and I have to spend the next 5 years playing in a plastic one I am going to make it nice). Then she got to not so patiently wait for Daddy and BaBa (still kills me!) to put it together. Please note the "country view window"and the chill chest below the fridge... I mean seriously, Charlotte should be cooking souffles by age 3 with this training.

So I came home tonight from work. There is a lasagna in the oven, laundry in the washer, the house has been cleaned and vacuumed, garbage already at the curb, the beds made, the dinning room re-arranged and some new Christmas decorations are up. Then my 6 foot elf looked at me and said, "just cause I love you." So in the light of the fact that most of my evening activities are already done, and I wasn't about to take over the TV with Monday night football on, I get to blog 2 times tonight.

Eliot got baptised on Sunday. I cried. Such an answer to my "wake up in a panic at 2am prayers". Seeing him up there with Katie and Russ, I just could not contain myself. And after Mike sprinkled his tiny head and Eliot squealed "Aqua" and then started signing for "more", "Aqua, more". I just keep thinking, "Amen Eliot!!!" Give the boy MORE AQUA. Dump the whole thing on that beautiful, precious, baptised, little head of his. Cause he is a child of the covenant in SO many ways. I don't have a picture of the baptism (and I do wish that I did so that you could all see Katie's hot red boots) But I do have a picture of Eliot's baptism into manhood, which is almost as significant. Now when any one knocks on our door Charlie yells "Eliot!". I say "now" because previously and I am not proud of this, it was "PIZZA!"

We left home fully fed, napped, face washed and plenty of provisions. Our gear had been carefully chosen last July for this time honored tradition. A velvet pink dress with matching bows for our hair. Images of Sugarplums were dancing in our heads and the thrill of meeting ol' Saint Nick made the anticipation sheer Christmas joy. Our journey began with a decent into the domain of Santa Claus. We met our fellow traveling companions at base camp. Both Eliot and I were as prepared as we could ever be for this exciting meeting. The last leg of the trip was a hard one, long lines and little protection from the golden reindeer and roaming elves. However the foliage was amazing.... It was close we could feel it! And for $25 this is what my parents got. Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!