Clark Family Christmas

Here are a few pics of the Clark (Chris' family) Christmas. Colton totally enjoyed playing Grandma Kate's piano and you will also see a video of it as well. He loved playing with all the kids and got some great gifts from Memaw and Papaw. He still loves playing with his dump trucks and every time he gets them out he says Papaw. Yes Colton, Papaw got those trucks for you.

Playing The Piano With The Girls


Having a Good Time Playing With The Dishcloth Made By Aunt Ollie


Playing The Piano


Gifts From Memaw and Papaw

Colton Playing The Piano

6,000 New Toys

6,000 new toys and his favorite thing this morning....

What Goes Up Must Come Down

The mess was officially killing me so down came the Christmas tree. I couldn't stand all the boxes and mess in the living room. We barely have any room as it is and all the boxes and toys EVERYWHERE put me over the edge. I am so thankful to have my living room back!

Putting Away The Ornaments


Timber!!!!!!!!!!


These Things Never Fit Back In The Box Right

Christmas At Grammy and Gramps

After opening all our gifts at home we go to my Mom and Dad's house to have brunch. My parents, sister, grandparent's, and Jan are all there. The tree is flooded with gifts and most of us have a hard time figuring out how we are ever going to get through all of them! Colton ALWAYS has the biggest pile as my Mom goes WAY overboard. My sister and I used to have the biggest piles but my Mom says that she loves Colton more than us now! I think she is joking....hmmm maybe not. Unfortunately for Colton, and luckily for Chris and I, he is going to have to share the overindulgence of Grammy next year. Baby Cook will be joining the festivities and Grammy Jo is going to have to back down on the gifts or we are not all going to fit in her house! Overall we had a wonderful day and I am very grateful for all of my family and friends. I am truly blessed.

Look at That Pile Of Gifts!


Colton's Favorite Gift At Grammys (a coffee pot, he filled cups for hours!)


Having a Blast with Great Grandma Burt


Uncle Jut, Aunt Shannon, Colton, and ELMO!


No??....Grammy Did NOT Give Me Chocolate

Christmas At Home

Christmas at our house this morning was fantastic! I worked Christmas Eve so I only got a few hours of sleep but I made it through the day like a champ, if I do say so myself!! Everyone got great gifts and Colton enjoyed opening his. It was a bit of a surprise to Chris that he didn't shred every box in a matter of minutes, but I guess he isn't very familiar with the curiosity of an almost 2 year old! Colton wanted us to open each gift after it was unwrapped so he could play with it. I think it drove Chris insane. Hehehe! Colton got a great new kitchen, tunnel/ball set, Kindermusik instruments (which are by far his favorite gift!), puzzles, the list goes on and on. Chris and I both got some great gifts as well and we enjoyed watching Colton's eyes light up when he saw all his new things. I felt different this year for Christmas and I am not sure why, we had Colton last year and felt very grateful, but this year my amazement with him overflows. I caught myself many times during the day just staring at him in amazement of everything he has already become. I can't believe he is getting so big and already knows so much! He is a smart, caring, beautiful little boy. I can't imagine what next Christmas is going to be like!

Walking Out Of His Room Christmas Morning


Gifts, Gifts, and More Gifts!


Kitchen


Stocking


Favorite Gift (Kindermusik Instruments)

Christmas Eve

Every year since I can ever remember we have always had Christmas Eve at my Grandparents house. We literally pack 30+ people into their little house and have a wonderful time together! It is so nice to be with family and it's one of my favorite things at Christmas time. I look forward to it every year. Colton had a great time and got some very nice gifts. I must say though out of everything he got there I think, well I know his favorite is the punching balloon. My Grandma got it for him and he played with it forever, as a matter of fact he is still playing with it!

Ripping The Paper


Elmo From Aunt Sharon


Too Cute Not To Share


The Infamous Punching Balloons

Elf It!

Ok so I totally stole another one of my fellow bloggers posting topics but I don't care! It is too cute not to post. Thanks Nicole for your brilliant idea! Check out their site if you want to see Nicole and her family "elfed"!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Up Close And Personal

So as you all may have noticed I am catching up. If you look below there are lots of new posts about the last week or so. So much is happening all at once as the holiday gets near! I was playing with my camera the other day and took a few up close shots of Colton and thought they turned out pretty well.









I Love How He Rests His Belly On The Stool

Being Silly With Dad

I just happened to find these on my camera the other day. I am not sure if it was when I was sleeping after work or if it was when I was out finishing up shopping. Either way they are too cute and I had to share!

Baking Christmas Cookies

Colton and I helped my mom bake Christmas cookies today. My mom and I have always gotten together every year for...well forever to make a million Christmas cookies. Seriously we make about 20+ dozen cookies! Well that is until Colton came along. Last year we did last minute cookies, about 8-10 dozen probably and it took everything we had in us. This year was even worse! LOL We made 3 different kind of cookies and one was a break and bake *gasp*. It was fun anyway and Colton got to get in on the action. Maybe next year we can get a few more done but I am not too convinced about it as there will be another baby in the mix! Baby Cook will only be about 7 months old when it is cookie time next year. Can you imagine baking and frosting 20 dozen cookies with a newborn and a 2 year old?! Lord help us all! LOL

Measure and Pour


Mix and Mix


Turn Off The Mixer To Add More Ingredients


Thank God We Only Need The Yolk!


Am I a Cute Helper Or What?!


Making Thumbprints


Perfect Sized Thumbs For The Job


Watch Them Bake

Best Friends and Santa

I took Colton to the Sylvania Historical Center to see Santa. Colton loved Santa last year but I know because he is turning 2 soon he might not appreciate Santa quite as much as he did last year. The ladies at the center were so nice! They let you take as many pictures as you wanted (for FREE!) and they encouraged you to stay for as long as you liked. It was great! I tried to let Colton warm up to Santa as he wasn't too sure about him at first, but even after a few minutes this was the best I could get. Oh well, something is better than nothing right?! We met a few friends at the center as you will see below, one is Colton BFF (best friend forever) Ethan aka "E" and the other is Sam. We had a great time and hopefully next year we can get a little better shot with Santa!

Hmmmm Who Is This?


Maybe Just a Little Hand Shake Will Do


Ok a High Five Too!


Colton and Ethan


Best Friends Forever!!!


Colton, Ethan & Sam (Hey It's Pretty Good For 3 Boys!)

First Snow!

Well Toledo got it's first big snow and Colton had his first experience with all that fun, cold white stuff!! We (read Chris) was really looking forward to building a snowman with Colton as this is his new favorite word, but no luck because the snow was not good for packing. They just played in the snow together until poor Colton's cheeks were about froze off! Poor thing does not have boots or snow pants yet...maybe Santa is bringing them?? He stayed out about 25 min or so though and loved every minute. Can't wait until it warms up enough to go sledding!!