Christmas 2013!

As anyone who knows me, knows that Christmas is my ultimate favorite time of year! Its not just the caramel brûlée coffee from Starbucks. I love the fact we see family who we don't see very much, I love I get to see my group of friends all together, I love the fact I put thousands of lights on the house. I enjoy seeing all the kids faces as they see my house glowing. I love I get to wear my goofy who-ville Santa hat to work. I love we get to celebrate our Saviors birth ( I really don't care if I offended anyone with that last one). I just love EVERYTHING about this time of year!

This year brought a lot more joy then usual because it was Noah's first Christmas. I loved starting new traditions, making lots of memories, I just loved Christmas this year more then ever!

Christmas time for me begins a few days after Halloween. It just takes us that long to get decorated! So this year the middle of November we began preparations with the outside lights!  Of course I had a little help from my lovely wife and Son! 

\

Taking a break to pose for a photo!

Below is the claim to fame for 2013. A Spiral tree that changes color from red to green. This really got me itching to truly animate my display for 2014

This is finished project for the outside!

After the outside came the inside. (Once we all got over the plague of 2013) Spread to 8 family members. I am sure they will refrain from visiting our house again. Despite being ill we were not going to let this dampen our preparations for Christmas! Of course Noah had to help decorate the tree!

Noah putting the first ornament on his first Christmas tree

After the decorating came many trips to see different Santa's. The outcome was always the same. Noah was scared to death of the man! The Santa at Town Center was awesome and good sport. He even tried singing to Noah. 

Our favorite one. This one was taken at his pediatrician's office (Kennesaw Peds)

After a visit to Santa we were really getting into the Christmas mood. Every day more excitement built for Noah's First Christmas! 

Of course we must dawn our Christmas best for Sunday church!

December 20th we held our annual Christmas get together with all our old friends we grew up with. This year was really special because we were not the only ones celebrating Christmas with new additions to the family! 

Then finally Christmas Eve arrived!  Santa Clause is coming to town! We started the evening festivities with the first annual reading of the Night Before Christmas. I am looking forward to this being a yearly tradition with all my kids!

Then it was off to bed in his Christmas Pajamas. Time to sleep and wait for Santa to come! I don't know if it was visions of sugar plumbs going through his head, but knowing my son it had something to do with food!

That night, Santa really did come!

Noah even woke up at 3 in the morning to see if Santa came. As much as I would have rather sleep I enjoyed and given the choice I would not have given up our 2 hours of cuddle time watching the lights on the tree dance. 

After he went to back to sleep at 4 AM he was up at 0715 and ready to open presents!

Grandmas and the Capt's gift was a hit

Grandma Stokes gift was a instant hit also!

Our favorite photo from his first Christmas!

We were not done yet though. December 26th we had a trip to celebrate Christmas at the Sod farm!

We finished the Christmas celebrations with his first ride on the pink pig! A tradition that both our parents remember partaking in as a child. 

All Christmas memories I experience I hold dear to my heart, But nothing prepared me for the overwhelming joy I had this Christmas. I loved every minute of every day! I am sure all future Christmas memories are only going to get better every year! 

Its summertime!!!

God its hard to believe that summer is here and quickly reaching the half way point. Summer to Katie and I means great memories on the boat, the pool, and our usual trip to Florida. This year summer has taken on a more important meaning. That is great memories with our bug!

As you know Katie and I work hard so we can play hard. This summer has been no different with the little one.  Its great. This is a good excuse to be a kid again. So below are photos of our little man soaking up the sun!

I find it so hard believe that around this time last year we knew our little bug was coming but no one else did. We had not released the secret. Its hard to believe this was last year!

And this is now!

Its amazing how fast life changes, but I would not change any thing.