Opening Presents

Christmas morning began with opening all the wonderful presents we received for Peyton's first Christmas. We are truly grateful to everyone who thought of us this holiday season! Here are the highlights from all the present opening fun.

Peyton had been eyeing the presents all week, and enjoyed touching the wrapping paper, so now he finally got to hold a present and rip, rip, rip away!



A wonderful outfit from his Aunt Tracey and Uncle Dave.



Our friends Mark and Trish sent a beautiful pewter personalized ornament and a super snuggly outfit.



Peyton enjoying his gift from his cousin Lisa (Matthew and Kathryn's daughter). He loves books!



A Wisconsin Badgers outfit from Angela and Tony!

Peyton really loved the personalized Christmas ornament from my friend Tracy and her daughter Ava.

We held off from opening the BIG box from Grandma Barb and Grandpa Jim. Peyton took his time playing with the ribbon, then ripping off the wrapping paper, and then we had to open the box for him.

Look at all the goodies from Grandma and Grandpa (including a very soft MONKEY for our little monkey).

But wait, there's more! The rest of the goodies from the big box!

And finally, we opened the gifts from Shirley and Patrick - including swimming pants (to cover his diaper).

Peyton loved all his presents so much, and James got to have some fun with OUR present - he stuck a little bow on Peyton's head. :-)

Our little cutie!

Christmas Decorations

Since we didn't get a tree this year, I opted for stockings instead! I purchased reindeer stockings to match Peyton's First Christmas reindeer stocking (I got him a football reindeer stocking for next year, considering his namesake). And, I found stocking holders that match the bronze finish of our fireplace!



I also put up the beautiful angel ornament that Peyton's godmother Heidi (my cousin) and "Grandma #3" Angela (my aunt who was always more of a second mother to me) sent him for Christmas. Thank you very much Heidi and Angela!

Merry Christmas everyone!

Peyton "found" the Presents!

Now that he can crawl, Peyton is really starting to explore his surroundings. Earlier this week, he "found" the presents. Since I decided against getting a Christmas tree this year (out of fear of Peyton tipping it over or attacking the lights), we didn't really have a place to put the presents. We decided to put them where they'd be if we had a tree - in the corner of the living room, by our front door.

Presents started arriving two weeks ago but Peyton didn't notice them until this week. And boy, was he curious! Here he is trying to get into one of my presents.



Ooooh tissue paper!



Tissue paper is so much fun!



Success! I got it out!



Hmmm, tissue paper isn't very tasty! (These days EVERYTHING goes in Peyton's mouth).



Before he could take a bite out of the tissue paper, I distracted him with one of his presents.

Ooooh, tag!

Let's see what it says!

Nevermind, I can't read! So, let's see how it tastes instead.

Merry Christmas!