Overdue (and Overload of) Christmas Photos

I honestly don't know where the last week went, as I've had no time to update or upload photos from our trip. I had expected to get a lot accomplished last week while I was home and OFF from work, but the blizzard put those plans out to pasture! So bear with me, as I had over 300 photos to go through, which I'll put into a few different posts and hopefully get caught up by the end of this week with all that we did through the new year!

We made it home to New Jersey on Wednesday the 29th after being "stranded" in Illinois 2 extra days due to the major snowstorm that hit the east coast. I exaggerate with "stranded," since we were at my in-laws house and NOT at the airport with luggage and car seat checked...I don't want to think how that situation would have been. I did, however, have about 37 diapers and 10 changes of clothes for Tommy in 2 diaper bags. John and I watched in amazement at another couple with 2 young children, who only had ONE backpack TOTAL. And the youngest was definintely still in diapers...not sure on the older one. How was that possible that they could get away with ONE backpack? John and I saw some college age kids trekking with those really big backpacks, so we think we are going to invest in one of those so that we can manage to only have to bring ONE bag with us next time we travel by plane.

We supposedly had about 30 inches of snow. Drifts were even deeper. I'll do a separate post with some snow pictures so you can see what we came home to.

Tommy was great on the flight home; he fell asleep before takeoff, but he was pretty tired due to a rough night's sleep, so I wasn't surprised. The flight was about an hour and fifteen minutes total, and he slept for 45 minutes. We popped out the portable DVD player for him for the last part of the flight, dreading how he'd react when we were instructed to put away all electronic devices for landing. But we did a whole dog and pony show with him about saying "bye bye" to the video and distracting him to look out the window. Thankfully, our efforts worked.

So I'll shut up now and let you see the Christmas pictures, which start with Tommy's school party on Thursday, December 23rd, and go through the night we left for home from Illinois.

Tommy and his friend Colin sharing a laugh at the school party.

Colin and Tommy hanging out - they were the only 2 boys in the Rose Blossoms class and I'm pretty sure they create a lot of hijinks together. Tommy's going to be out of sorts without his buddy, who just moved up to the next classroom for the new year.

Santa's little helper getting some much needed rest before a busy Christmas Eve! His cheeks were so rosy and red just like Santa's!

On the ride to Charleston, Illinois from Indianapolis...love this pose while Tommy watches a video in the car!

Christmas morning giving Aunt Maria's dog Bella a hug!

Most of the weekend, Tommy seemed to always have at least one (or two) balls in his hand...he's got a good arm, and we think he might be a lefty!

Tommy giving yet another kiss - with ball in hand - to Bella!

Love that smile as he opens a present!

Amidst the chaos...someone enjoyed the tissue paper a lot!

Loving the penguin pillow pet from Oma and Opa - he dive bombs the thing all the time!

Tommy wore a series of "covers" as my dad would call them while we were at cousin Tim and Mindy's house for dinner on Christmas.

A bit overexposed, sporting the Minnie Mouse ears

Need that fire helmet to make sure no blocks are thrown in his face!

Wearing cousin Alli's homemade visor while carrying 2 fire helmets

There was a pool table in the basement, and when Tommy discovered the BALLS, you can just imagine how excited he was. Getting him away from this was IMPOSSIBLE as you'll see.

Tommy loved to bang the balls together for lots of noise

I was unsuccessful in getting someone's PJs on him as he was so upset from being removed from the pool table area. Tommy was LOVING this opportunity!

Notice how it appears that he is hoarding the balls and trying to contain them with his legs? Seriously...that is exactly what he was doing.

I had to put his PJs on while he was ON the table. And yes, he was taking the balls OUT of the rack, not putting them in the rack.

John's youngest brother Sef has 2 boys, Gavin and Kaleb, who came to visit. Tommy got to hang out with them since our trip home was delayed. Gavin is almost 5, and Kaleb is 9 months.

Look at the lean-away by Tommy. Gavin felt the same way, but at least his expression here doesn't give it away!

Tommy with his Oma and Opa

Someone looks like a pro with that phone...or flip video...or whatever gadget he's got in his hands. If Tommy saw you holding a phone, camera or video recorder, he would try to grab it from you to play with. He also likes to LOOK at the pictures on the screen on the digital camera after you take a picture of him. Vain?

Opa, Daddy and Tommy - 3 generations of Beurskens' boys!

You know who with a (surprise) ball as well as his other obsession for the weekend - a balloon, which we tied to a ball so he had easy access to it!

BIG surprise on this trip was that Tommy ate a slice of pizza. In fact, he RIPPED the slice out of my hands that I'd already started to eat. I wanted to know who this child was that had taken over my son's body! Even funnier, it was just before his bedtime, and Tommy was having some milk from his sippy cup in the living room just as the pizza arrived at the house. I brought mine into the living room and took a few bites, when Tommy suddenly drops his cup, comes over to me, and rudely yanks the slice of pizza from me and starts to eat it!

Chowing down on Pagliai's pizza. Pizza outside of NJ has a tough time living up to my standards and expectations, but Pagliai's is a.m.a.z.i.n.g. We have it every time we go visit John's parents. We are also very friendly with the folks who own it - they are practically family, but I am NOT biased - I raved about this pizza before I knew that or had even met them!!!

What do they put in this pizza Mom? It's so good!

The only good picture I got of Tommy with Kaleb. Kaleb is a pretty quiet, laid back kid, and his face says it all with the look he is giving Tommy...who looks like he was running around crazy at this point!

Tommy LOVED playing fetch with Bella and her toy

I don't know what I'd say he looks like with this hat on that he got for Christmas, but he loves the hat because it's a monkey. He was so funny running around with his pjs on and the hat just before we headed out for the airport on Tuesday night.

Next up? I'll share with you what we came home to when we finally made it back to New Jersey!