Christmas 2013

This is embarrassingly late, but nonetheless here's our recap of Witten's first Christmas!

I had been praying and hoping that Keith would be able to see Witten's first steps. I became skeptical that would be the case when we left Columbus after Thanksgiving and would not see Keith for 3 weeks. Witten was still using his learning walker a lot, he was walking while holding onto my fingers (many times only 1 finger), and he was standing longer and longer without assistance so I knew he was getting close to walking. Keith arrived at my parents' house Saturday evening (Dec 21). Witten took his first steps on Sunday afternoon (Dec 22)!!! Mom, Keith and I were all in the living room and Witt walked from Keith to me - 6 or 7 steps. Then we had him go back to Daddy! I am SO grateful that Keith was able to witness Witt's first steps!!! We understand that with Keith's job situation, he will miss some future milestones; but we will both be thankful for the ones he is part of. :)

He didn't walk in G's boots, but I thought this was a cute picture!

Sunday night, my parents watched Witten and his cousins, Kaiden and Beckem, so that us parents could go on a double date - a lovely tradition that we started a couple of years ago! We went ice skating at Crown Center then to Jack Stack BBQ. We had such a fun time!!

Monday, we went to Harvey and Lois's house and stayed there through Christmas Day. We had a great time visiting, playing games, riding 4-wheelers and being entertained by Kaiden, Beckem and Witten. His favorite gifts were his shopping cart, basketball and Snoopy. He also got lots of other great toys, clothes and books.

He did lots of walking...

got hugs from Beckem...

pushed Beckem around...

(you can see his shopping cart in this pic)

and posed with me for a pic!

We went to my parents' house the day after Christmas and stayed there until we came back to MS. Kyle, Tara and Jase also went to Mom and Dad's the 26th and stayed through the weekend. We had a great time relaxing, watching movies, playing cards and being entertained by Witt and Jase. His favorite gifts were his read-aloud books and his airplane. He got lots of other great stuff too though!

Mom, this is out of control.
(Jase is in the background wandering)

 Happy boy!

 Dads and their boys. :)

Witt in his Christmas Eve outfit with a lot of his presents. (Not sure how, but we 

managed to forget to take pictures on Christmas Eve. Whaaaaaat?!?!)

We are so thankful that we could spend Christmas with our families back home. We always love spending time with the people we love most and being encouraged/refreshed.

I have written this whole post about Christmas without mentioning the real reason for the season... Jesus Christ. We are SO thankful that God sent His son to earth, in the form of a man, so that we could relate to him and learn from Him. Thank you, Jesus, for fulfilling your selfless purpose and dying for our sins so that we can live eternally with you in heaven. May we never forget or take for granted your life, death and resurrection.