We had Christmas in Toppenish this year and Callie got to meet a ton of family and friends who have been dying to see her. It is so fun watching the ones you love with your own kid. We missed the Cook's a lot and are so grateful for modern technology and the powers of video chat! Matt and I had such a great time seeing all the love that surrounds Cal and us, both near and far.
Let the picture dump commence.
Hanging out with Grandma at the New Years Eve Party.
Poor kid had to put up with some experimental photo shoots...
Meeting more Washington family. Lots of attention being the first grandkid/ great grandkid :)
Getting to join in on the traditional Christmas Eve family pajamas. Also-- she obviously does NOT like the camera flash
Her little toes kill me.
Heading to church with all the Aunts and Uncle waiting for their turn to hold her :)
We are so lucky that Grandma Great and Aunt Shelly come to spend the holidays with us. It's a tradition I hope keeps up for a long time because it just wouldn't feel like Christmas with out all the fun they bring. They both have very distinct laughs and it's so fun to hear them around the house.
Bath time is probably my favorite time of day because Cal LOVES being in water. So we took full advantage of my mom's big jetted tub and I got in with her most nights. One of my favorite parts of our trip. I miss it already.
We have all of our family over on New Years. Cal went down early and Matt and I were a little giddy at the free time we had to chat and play games and hang out with everyone since it's a late night party.
New Years Day. Fussy baby in church automatically gets you out of your meetings and in to the cultural hall for an impromptu photo shoot. Love the huge grins. Such an expressive little bug.
Callie doesn't know yet just how lucky she is to have Aunts and an Uncle who absolutely adore her. I on the other hand know just how good I have it because I had free babysitting 24/7 and it was a-maz-ing.
C.J. has the magic touch with Cal. When she wouldn't eat or fuss when I was holding her he would swoop in, put her in the "cradle of comfort" as he calls it, and soon enough she would be out cold. Those are some serious skills for a 17 year old. She loved spending so much one on one time with Uncle Ceej.
Matt had to fly to Pittsburgh for work so I decided to stay in Washington an extra week rather than go home to an empty house.
It was not easy for these two to part...
Spending time at Great Grandma & Grandpa Lott's house.
Folding clothes with Grandma.
C.J. probably learned his 'baby-whisperer' skills from this master. This woman knows babies. It was a restful week for the both of us. I'm not sure who was spoiled more--me or Cal.
Lots of grins and happy times when Grandpa would get home from work. My dad can get Callie to grin bigger than anyone. She was so funny playing with him and responding to the noises he'd make.
Annnnd now you can see where she gets those blue eyes from! Just like Grandpa.
Saying goodbye at the airport :( It was an awesome 3 weeks home. (3 WEEKS!?! I haven't been home that long since the summer of my freshman year of college.) We were spoiled and loved and had the absolute best time. When can we go back??
As a sidenote-- Callie is a champ. I was stressing out major about flying alone with her and it was all for nothing. Just like on the flight to WA, she slept basically the entire way. Every time I get nervous that we will have a meltdown she just delivers a flawless performance. I'm sure we'll see it someday but so far so good.
