There's Something in the Cupboard

The Drive Home

Yes, we're still on Christmas, but nearing the end. Since the drive home was long and...long...we took plenty of stops for gas and rest. What I document below is a stop where we fed Henry, changed his diaper, and let him enjoy a little time out of his carseat. As you can see, he enjoyed it, and he took the opportunity to talk Dad into giving him his first driving lesson.

Ok. so first I get it started...

Get as close as I can to 10 and 2...

Then I get distracted...

Then stand up and wait for applause and approval from Mom, which she gives because I'm her baby who's awesome and cute.

I think we'll still make him take driver's ed, though.

Other People's Children

So Henry and Cory were not the only people at our Christmas celebration in Cedar City. In fact, the entire family was there, missing only my little brother who's off being an amazing missionary in Romania (but we got to video chat with him, so it was like he was there with us for a little while). What that means is that the party included my parents (2), my siblings including me (4), our spouses (4), and our children (8). 18 of us. 19 on Christmas proper, when Eric was there. It was awesome. I love my family. Oh, and there was the beagle. And the cat. Mustn't forget the cat. Though actually she was pretty easy to forget, considering she knows to hide from small children.

This picture was taken when the only child in the house was Henry, and he posed no particular threat.

But back to the subject of this post: the other people who were there! Here are pictures of (some of) them. :)

My sweet 2-year-old niece Brooke

Cory with little nephew Beck

Beck and Brooke on Grandpa's lap. I think one of my dad's favorite moments was when he had these two on his lap and asked if any of their cuteness was rubbing off on them. To which Brooke immediately and innocently replied, "Nooo."

Brooke and nephew Harper going at the piano. Harper's such a character.

There it is. :)

I'm sure Cory is thrilled that I posted this.

Victory!

Henry with Aunt Missy, who is expecting what will be my parents' 9th grandchild in April!

Brooke being sweet again. She does that a lot.

Love Harper's impish grin here

Here he is not feeling well, poor boy. You can see the difference. And that's my brother Thayne's shoulder

Henry on Grandpa's lap (How long have you owned that sweater, Dad?)

These are my sister's kids on their electronics. Megan, Carli, and Kate (left to right) with Brandon on the laptop in the background. What you're not seeing is Cory off to the left with his iPod :)

Remember how there were a lot of people there? The line of stockings was my dad's solution to a woefully inadequate fireplace. And this was taken before all of them were up.

Like I said. Awesome.

In Which Henry and Cory Demonstrate Balance and Skill

More Presents!

Jumping ahead in time a bit (there will be more pictures and posts about our trip), we had a few presents still to open when we got home. There were, in fact, two packages: one from Cory's parents and one from my lovely friend Audrey. I don't know about you people, but I happen to love late presents. Birthday, Christmas, whatever. I love them. Whatever holiday it was gets to last a little bit longer that way. Anyway, this is for John, Kaylene, Lynsey, and Audrey, who couldn't see Henry open the presents they got him.

From the Stephenses (I always want to type/say "Stephenseseseses" because I think it's funny, but I'm pretty sure no one else does...), a sock monkey!

Here he is loving his sock monkey and, thanks to my mad picture-taking skills, looking a little like Peter Boyle...

When Henry has an object in front of him--or person, for that matter--he finds the part of it that will fit in his mouth, and puts it there. In this case, it's the tag (he's also eaten the hair and the tail). (If something doesn't have any parts small enough to fit between his gums, he loses interest.)

And from Audrey, his very first dinosaur!

I'm pretty sure the only reason it isn't in his mouth is that he's distracted by the camera.

= dazed baby :)