George had a wonderful 1st Christmas.  Thank you to all the friends & family that made it so memorable.  Our family started our Christmas adventure with the Kratzke Christmas at the La Quinta Hotel in Appleton.  George did great in a room filled to the brim with family…and also had his first swim in a big pool.  He did well but was a bit cold, so it was a short swim with mom & dad.  It is always nice to spend time with extended family and catch up on what keeps their days filled.

We headed (slowly through the snow)  to Chicago on Sunday.  We had Christmas with Grandma & Grandpa Suwalski, Aunt Laura & Uncle John.  It was nice to spend the day with them and George had some good time to play with his family.  He giggled like crazy with the pugs, loved to pull ornaments off the bottom of the tree and had a George size Santa to stand by.  George showed off his walking skills and showed them how good he was at eating!  We spent Sunday at Tim & Linda’s home then headed to the Suwalski Christmas at Antoinette & Jeff’s home on Christmas Eve.  Again, it was nice to see so many extended family members.  Everyone is always surprised how big George really is….we are happy to report that he didn’t take any tumbles down the stairs and loved to play in their playroom.  Thank for sharing your toys!

On Christmas morning we packed up and headed north to New Holstein.  George woke up early so we went with his schedule and arrived a bit sooner than expected. We were greeted warmly and settled in for Christmas with Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Martin, Aunt Kari, Aidan, Aunt Heidi, James, Uncle Eric, and Patti.  George was exploring the house and was introduced to Ike…the George sized-elf.  He wasn’t scared – mostly intrigued by the lights around his neck. This says a lot about George – he is always interested in what things are & what they feel like….and sometimes taste like.  While at Grandma & Grandpa’s home he helped by pulling paper out of the recycling and putting his face on the patio door looking at Grandpa shovel the deck.

Thursday we all met up in Appleton at the Building for Kids.  It is a building full of kids activities and rooms (grocery store, doll nursery/hospital, gas station, airplane, fire truck, construction site).  Both Aidan & George had a good time, but I think the adults (especially Grandpa Kleinhans) had the most fun.  It is neat that kids allow you to have complete awe and joy about learning….too bad it takes having kids to do that again.  George climbed around & played on a ton of things….and enjoyed looking at papa & others from the tree house.  If that wasn’t enough stimulation, we went to Chuck E. Cheese afterward!  He took a bit of a nap but then woke up to play in the tunnels and ride a couple of rides.  It was a day full of memories.

As parents we are glad he is so comfortable with people.  He typically needs a few minutes to warm up, but then is happy to giggle with adults who are willing to entertain & play with him.  He has a great laugh – sometimes it is so deep that it is a true belly laugh – it cracks us up.  Christmas was wonderful.  Thank you to everyone for the love & attention you give to George as well as the generous gifts…he has started to play with some of them already.

Since then, George & Mom have gotten sick….but are on the road to recovery.  It is tough when he doesn’t sleep more than 20 minutes at time!  Instead of going out on New Year’s Eve, we stayed home….played a bit, watched a little Planet Earth (thanks John), and enjoyed some family time.  2007 has been good to us, we have been blessed with George and the continued love & support of our family & friends.  Watch out 2008 (and mom/dad), George is mobile & ready for you!

Some random holiday pics:

Holidays traveling is rough, I need a drink!

Maybe when I get older we can date?

So this is what I’m not supposed to touch

Last night was rough, I think I need some coffee…

Yeah, more things to bang. When I grow up I want the rest of these drums!

Ok. Who let the mouse in the car?

Call me an ELF one more time…

Yeah, this is mommy.

AND… I’m out. Wake me when we get home.