'Tis the Season

On Saturday, 12/13, we braved the weather and headed north to The Gossett's Holiday Party at the "family friendly" hour of 5pm. My how times have changed! Having Steve with us made the drive almost bearable. I rode in the back to wait on my son's every need. Peyton is quite possibly the first baby ever to dislike his car seat and despise riding in the car even more. Typically, he works himself into hysterics - red faced and gasping for breath - any time we take a car ride. But not this time. I had a plan AND a partner to help me carry it out. We made the journey (there and back) somewhat peacefully, but not without effort... a LOT of effort! It was all worth the trip and effort, of course!!

The Gossett's are terrific hosts. We enjoyed great food, conversation and games, too. Peyton and I enjoyed the first two group activities before deciding to play our own game: Battle of the Nap? Napping is always a tough thing for Peyton to do, and even more difficult we've now learned when we're in someone else's home and surrounded by far too many stimulating things to see and do! Peyton and I did win ourselves a quick "power nap" while there were a couple of Santa's in the making. Yes, good times were eventually had by all.

We're all winners here. Santa Steve with Rested Baby AND Happy Mommy!

Adult Game: Two teams (girls v. boys), one volunteer, a bag of supplies and many creative minds working together = two men who did somewhat resemble the jolly old man who is said to come around this time of year.

Baby Game: Two teams (mom v. baby), one temporary volunteer - Thanks, Nate, one diaper bag of supplies (another plug for the iPhone is necessary here - Thanks, iPhone), two minds working against each other = lots of tears, exhaustion and frustration on both teams until...sleep wins over.

Anyway, this was Peyton's first introduction to the big man we call Santa and I was pleased that he seemed amused. Fortunately meeting this Santa did not send him back into the hysterics we had just spent what seemed like hours trying to work ourselves out of. Maybe he noticed that this Santa's belly did not shake when he laughed like a bowl full of jelly, or else saw past the snow white beard, and recognized his Daddy! This Santa activity made us all smile for very different reasons and therefore was a success.

To finish off the night we exchanged gifts, snapped a few shots for our perspective "Blogs" and went home with an assortment of delicious holiday treats. Thanks again, Natalie and Chris for hosting a wonderful holiday party...it truly is beginning to feel a lot like Christmas!

Peyton with all his doting aunties. We love you guys!