First Christmas

I know this is two weeks late...but I am trying to get caught up!  This one is going to be a long one, so, you might want to grab a snack

2011 was obviously going to be Anniston's first Christmas.  Anniston does not realize it yet, but she is lucky, she gets to have Christmas 4 times every year.  One with Gramps, one with Nama, once with Grandma and Grandpa Rhoads and at home!  I am not sure where we put all of it...I think some of it is being stored to use at a later date.  Anniston enjoyed it so much, she loves all of the paper, tissue paper and bows...so many things to chew on!

I told myself that this blog entry would have 3 or 4 pictures, one from each celebration...that did not work out. I had too much fun taking pictures of her having even more fun.  She was surrounded by new things to play with and new clothes to wear.  The first Christmas with a new baby is a lot of fun.

First up...Christmas with Gramps was on Saturday the 16th.

When all of her presents were piled up around her, the look of amazement and surprise was priceless.

Anniston really likes to rip the paper off.  She knew exactly what to do with it.

It is a Rhoads family tradition to wear a bow on your head, Anniston had the biggest bow.

Later that bow was good for chewing on...that is very eco-friendly of her, re-purposing things like that.

Next up was at Nama's house on Sunday the 17th.  She was pretty tired, and spent a little of the time at Nama's house sleeping in my arms on the sofa, but when it was her turn, she tore into her presents with a lot of enthusiasm.

She really was fascinated by the bags, paper and things to play with.

And she knew when things were hers...GIVE THAT BACK MOMMY, ITS MINE!

Christmas Day started out at home, she could finally get into all of the presents under the tree that she had been tormented by for weeks.

She was patient, and posed for pictures for Daddy.  

She really liked to wear her Santa hat.  She was genuinely excited Christmas morning...she could crawl now!

The piles of toys and clothes started to take over the whole room, we had to keep an eye on Anniston to not lose her in the piles!

After we had finished our family Christmas, Gramps and Nama came by to visit and see all of Anniston's new things.  It was good to see them on Christmas Day.  She does not know it yet, but it will be very special for her to see all of her Grandparent's on Christmas.  One day she will understand just how special that is.  But for now, mom and dad will have to be the thankful ones for her.  

Uncle Trent and Aunt Sarah also came to see Anniston on their way to Grandma and Grandpa Rhoads' house.  

After all of that fun, we packed into the car and headed up to see Grandma and Grandpa Rhoads.  Great Grandpa Rhoads would also be there.  

More tissue paper and wrapping paper to chew on. 

More new toys to play with...and chew on.  It was a teething night for sure.

Anniston had a great first Christmas.  We had a great Christmas with her.  We got to see a very large part of our extended family.  She saw all of her Great Grandparents, Grandparents, her two uncles, two aunts and two cousins.  We wish we had been able to spend time with family that lives further away, while they may not have been there in person, they were there with us in spirit.