Baby's First Christmas: Minnesota Edition
[Sorry for the re-post, folks. The computer meltdown caused some broken links and file paths in this entry.]
Just in case there was any doubt, Christmas proved that Hal really is our kid. We drove a total of 42 hours across the Midwest and the baby was a total champ. A road trip warrior. His only real screaming fit occurred when we were stuck in Chicago traffic after we'd been in the car for 12 hours, and frankly, it wasn't an unreasonable reaction.
Our first stop was in Minnesota to visit Karl's family. Grandma Carol and Grandpa Dave got to marvel at how much bigger the baby has gotten since Thanksgiving, plus all of his new tricks, like smiling and arm-flapping.
Hal saved his biggest, goofiest smiles for Grandpa Dave, who makes funny faces and gives excellent art tours.
Hats are strictly required at this event. Baby's first hat, courtesy of Ann Braden and PetCo:
In addition to all those cousins, Hal is lucky enough to have four living great-grandparents. Introducing Hal to them was both touching and a little mind-bending. After we visited GGs Gene and Joyce, Karl looked at me and said, "Can you imagine Hal's kid bringing his kid to come see us?" First my brain melted and leaked out my ear. Some days with an infant seem interminable, and I can barely imagine Hal as a six-year-old, let alone a sixty-year-old with grandkids of his own. And then we both got a little teary. I already feel like Hal is changing way too fast. The great-grandparents must feel like their own kids were babies just a few minutes ago. As one of my favorite bloggers likes to say, the days are long, but the years are short.
I can only hope we get to see our family grow like Gene and Joyce and Bob and Joan have.
Four generations of Schraders.
Four generations of Reitz men.
Just in case there was any doubt, Christmas proved that Hal really is our kid. We drove a total of 42 hours across the Midwest and the baby was a total champ. A road trip warrior. His only real screaming fit occurred when we were stuck in Chicago traffic after we'd been in the car for 12 hours, and frankly, it wasn't an unreasonable reaction.
Our first stop was in Minnesota to visit Karl's family. Grandma Carol and Grandpa Dave got to marvel at how much bigger the baby has gotten since Thanksgiving, plus all of his new tricks, like smiling and arm-flapping.
Hal saved his biggest, goofiest smiles for Grandpa Dave, who makes funny faces and gives excellent art tours.
Hey, that guy's smile looks just like mine!
"...and here's a still life."
It was also nice for Karl to have some quality time with his mini-me, since he had been quarantined for the previous week."...and here's a still life."
He is, isn't he?
Hal got to experience the phenomenon that is Schrader Family Christmas Eve. This was a great year, with 24 people (cheers to Mark and Gail for hosting everyone!), including Tami and Antonio from London and Hal's "big" cousins Ethan, Owen, and Dylan. He spent much of the evening hanging out with cousin Teresa, aka The Baby Whisperer.Hats are strictly required at this event. Baby's first hat, courtesy of Ann Braden and PetCo:
What? Is there something on my head?
In addition to all those cousins, Hal is lucky enough to have four living great-grandparents. Introducing Hal to them was both touching and a little mind-bending. After we visited GGs Gene and Joyce, Karl looked at me and said, "Can you imagine Hal's kid bringing his kid to come see us?" First my brain melted and leaked out my ear. Some days with an infant seem interminable, and I can barely imagine Hal as a six-year-old, let alone a sixty-year-old with grandkids of his own. And then we both got a little teary. I already feel like Hal is changing way too fast. The great-grandparents must feel like their own kids were babies just a few minutes ago. As one of my favorite bloggers likes to say, the days are long, but the years are short.
I can only hope we get to see our family grow like Gene and Joyce and Bob and Joan have.
Four generations of Reitz men.
We also had great visits with the Sengs, the Andersons, and the Bradens, but this post is getting rather long, so you can click into the picasa album for pictures.
A very merry Minnesota Christmas! Next up: Christmas south of the [Iowa] border.
A very merry Minnesota Christmas! Next up: Christmas south of the [Iowa] border.
How neat to be able to have all those grandparents. Grandparents are the best. I know how you feel...you look at your kid and he's a baby and before you know it, he's 11. Time goes by sooo fast! Congrats on a successful road trip.
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