Christmas with Papa and Nana

Papa and Nana had to go back to South Carolina on the 20th, so on the night of the 19th, we had our own little Christmas.  It was so nice to be able to open gifts with my parents.  Christmas was a very special time of year in my house growing up, and that continues to this day.  It is by far my favorite time of year!

These first two pictures are of Major that morning.  Major playing with Brady's Dinosaur Train, and Major dressed as an elf hiding among the Christmas decorations.  I love this shot of him as an elf!

Below are Eli and Brady decorating candy covered pretzels for Papa.  He was craving these the whole week, so we made them for him. :)

Coach Major giving Daddy a pep talk...

Finally, time to open some presents!

Papa and Nana got all of us Harding shirts!  Go Bison!

I'll admit, right now, unless Major is eating, he just isn't happy.  Even the wrapping paper goes straight into his mouth!

Our family, Christmas 2011.  Eli is 6, Brady is 3 1/2, and Major is 5 months.

The tree before we started opening!

Daddy handing out Christmas gifts...

Our little family of snowmen.  I love this!

Super hero pjs for Eli...Captain America...and Spiderman.  He loves them!

And I guess present time isn't complete without a little tackling of Papa. :)

A Harding family!  (Yes, mine is a Harding shirt, too.  It is just a cool pink color. :) )

Bill getting his yearly subscription to Sports Illustrated magazine from Papa and Nana.  It would be a sad day in this house if he didn't get that gift!

Looks like Papa and Nana get to go to the movies!

I never get tired of watching Brady play with his toys.  It warms my heart!

Eli reading to Major.

Papa and Nana with sweet baby Major.  I'm hoping that this picture will go into his baby album...if I ever get time to make it! 

Thanks for all our great gifts, Papa and Nana!  We love you!

Major's First Cereal

 Major ate his first solid food at 5 months old.  We waited until Nana could be there since she misses so many, "firsts".

I believe it was a success!

The Christmas Train 2011

Since Bill and I have been married, we have always alternated Christmas between my parents and Bill's parents.  This year would have been our year to spend with my parents, but they currently live in South Carolina in a home with several troubled teenage girls, so it is hard to go and visit there.  Thankfully, my parents were able to come the week before Christmas and spend time with us and open some presents!  We had such a great time with them here.  There was lots of fun times playing with Papa and Nana, lots of shopping, and lots and lots of eating!  They also got to join us for the Christmas Train this year.  It was so wonderful to have them here!

 Brady helping me bake some chocolate chip cookies before Papa and Nana arrive.

 Brady and Eli climbing trees with Nana watching in the backyard.

 Here we are in Alvin, Texas waiting for the Christmas Train!  We got our tickets and went to eat pizza at a little joint they have there on the premises.  Here is our little reindeer Major with his mommy and daddy.

 Brady and Eli waiting for some pizza!

My grandmother, Grams, was the queen of taking pictures of the family while they ate.  I guess I am following in her footsteps.

 Finally, train time!  Nana holding a sleeping Major, Papa, Brady, and Eli.

I asked a woman working there to get a picture of all of us on the train.  You wouldn't think it would be that hard to get 6 people and 3 train cars, but I guess it was.  After several attempts, this is the best picture she could get...and Nana and Eli are missing.  I guess I asked the wrong person.

 There was a huge line for Santa, so I only took a few shots and could not get Major to look at me.  He was fascinated by Santa's beard.  So here we are, my boys with Santa.  Eli asked him for video games, but sweet Brady almost made me cry.  He just looked at Santa and said, "I just want to say thank you for whatever you bring me."  I asked him if he wanted to ask Santa for something and he said no.  Sweet boy.

 Daddy bought the boys cotton candy afterwards.  Yum!

Papa and Nana with their boys.  I'm so thankful we were able to share this with them!