Merry Christmas!

Wow...I can't believe Christmas is over all ready! Actually, we still have our big Christmas with my side of the family on New Year's Eve, so it isn't quite over for us. It always amazes me how all of the preparations take so long and then the day flies by. Anyway, we have had a great Christmas this year. Joel is at a fun age and was lots of fun to shop for this year. He doesn't quite understand about unwrapping the gifts, but he likes the toys once they are out of the paper! We went to Christmas Eve at my Grandma's house and then spent Christmas Day in Wauseon. Joel got a play tent, an Elmo umbrella, some MatchBox cars, a book, and some tub toys at our house. Of course, the biggest hit so far is the motorized tractor from PawPaw and Grandma! Joel LOVES it! He isn't sure yet about using the gas pedal to make it move, but he climbs on it all day. He is so funny when he comes out of the bedroom and sees it sitting there! :0) He runs toward it and says "Oooooohhhh....". Today we couldn't seem to walk past it without having to sit on it and turn the wheel. Daddy can't wait to get it outside and see what it can do! We are thankful every single moment for Joel and our family. Parenthood is exhausting, but I wouldn't trade it for anything! Good night. More later...