Christmas at "Great" Grandma & Popo Jochec's house

After spending the night at Granny & Papaw Hicks' house on Christmas Eve, we headed to East Bernard to celebrate Christmas with Grandma & Popo Jochec, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Tyler checked out the tractor and cows and had fun opening presents yet again! Thanks to all of you for such thoughtful gifts! Here are some pictures from the day.

We headed back to Houston that evening. Santa had come to our house while we were traveling, so Tyler opened his presents the next morning. Unfortunatly, we videoed the entire thing (and didn't think about taking any pictures) so I don't have any to post. It was a spectactular Christmas, though. We are all so very blessed!

Deciding whether to eat the present or unwrap it.

More practice unwrapping

Checking out his new tractor/book

Hangin out with Popo

Feeling the cool breeze with Aunt Sara

Opening presents

Christmas with Granny & Papaw Hicks

We headed to Van Vleck the evening before Christmas Eve. Bret & Michelle also arrived that night so we visited a little before going to sleep. The next morning, Tyler had another chance to work on perfecting his gift-opening skills! Thanks to Granny, Papaw, Uncle Bret & Aunt Michelle for some wonderful gifts! Tyler has been enjoying playing with them all! That evening, we got ready and headed to El Campo for Christmas mass and to celebrate Christmas with the Gold side of the family. We popped fireworks (although Tyler was sleeping during this), played the white elephant game, and had fun visiting and catching up with everyone!

Uncle Bret, Aunt Michelle & Tyler

Granny helping Tyler open a Christmas present

Tyler's enjoying that shiny bow!

Playing with his cousin, Mason

Opening presents at Aunt Judy & Uncle Doug's house

Christmas with Grandma & Pepaw Jochec

Katie & Trey flew in from Virginia the Saturday before Chrismas. Katie & Trey came over that night for dinner along with other family members. We had a nice visit and good food.

The next morning we packed up and headed to East Bernard to celebrate Christmas at my parents' house. This was the first of many opportunies Tyler had to practice his gift opening skills! The guys fried the oysters & shrimp while the gals were inside getting everything else ready - and playing with Tyler. After we ate and cleaned the kitchen, it was time to open gifts. Tyler went first - he wasn't quite sure what to do at first, although he did know that he wanted the bows off all the presents. He would try to pull the bow off and then we'd tear some of the paper for him to grab hold of. It was a wonderful Christmas!

Since I am off Mondays, I stayed in East Bernard Sunday night so I had more time to hang out with Katie & Mom. Tyler had a fun time playing with everyone and began practicing his 'standing up skills' that day. I guess I hadn't realized he was strong enough to do this, but sure enough Katie put him in a standing position & held his hands and Tyler was able to keep standing up. He didn't really know what to do with his feet though! He tried to tug a little to pull up from a sitting down position, but wasn't quite strong enough. It was too cute!

I headed back to Houston that evening so we could spend some time with Rodney. Here are some pictures from Christmas at Grandma & Pepaw Jochec's house.

Trying to eat the paper - are you surprised?!

Family picture - what kind of expression is tyler making?

Uncle Trey, Aunt Katie, & Tyler

Uncle Jake & Aunt Sara

Pepaw & Grandma

Tyler with his new blankie that Grandma made him

He loves it!

Checking out his new John Deere wagon

More interested in the shiny wrapping paper

than anything else...

Playing with his new toy from Aunt Sara & Uncle Jake

Stopping for a pose while playing with his toy from

Aunt Katie & Uncle Trey

Practicing standing up

Practicing with Mommy

What a big boy! Where has the time gone...

Scooting

Tyler has been doing the 'army crawl' for a while now. Here's a little video of him trying to get a present that Daddy was wrapping...


Dec. 14 - Scooting