Saturday, January 3, 2009

Christmas in Texas!

When MU made it to the Alamo Bowl we decided it would be a great excuse for a trip over Christmas. So we cashed in our free flights and left on Christmas day for San Antonio, Texas!
Connor was a super traveler- he didn't have any meltdowns until we were one hour away on the drive home- and that says a lot for an 18 month old. He was very excited for the trip- he could tell everyone before he went (and sometimes still does) that "I'm going to Texas!" We all enjoyed the time that we had to relax and have fun together-

San Antonio was wonderful! We had great weather (Colin and Connor were able to wear shorts) and outstanding food. We loved walking the Riverwalk, sightseeing and spending time with family and friends.
Nana, Pops and Carter went with us then once we were there we met up with the Vernon's from Waynesville and Brad, Arita and Robbie- our friends from New Orleans.

Kicked back in his car seat on the way to St. Louis-

Connor's first plane ride, the first of four on the trip, he did great on them all!
Arriving in San Antonio (this car seat/stroller was on loan from our friend Virginia and is awesome for traveling)!
Relaxing in the hotel room-
Connor loved our hotel, especially the breakfasts.

Not many of my pictures taken at night look very good but the Riverwalk was gorgeous with all of the Christmas lights up-
One of the many great meals we had in San Antonio, I think this one was mac and cheese but mostly Connor got to enjoy his favorite meal- quesadillas and chips!
The day after Christmas we went to Sea World. It was a great trip, we got to see dolphins, whales, sharks, sea lions, penguins and lots more. Colin and I even rode a roller coaster (I think it had been 7 years since either one of us had been on one).
Here he is enjoying a show with diving acrobats, dolphins and whales (at the end of this post there is a video, it is sideways since I don't know how to fix that, but it shows how much he was enjoying the show)-

I know, I know, we're from Missouri- the Clydesdales shouldn't excite us this much. But we don't usually get to see them this close. They are beautiful horses!



Our favorite Clydesdale (his name is Carter)-
Christmas pics with Shamu-
After an exhausting day at Sea World Connor naps on the bus ride home-
We did lots of sightseeing around San Antonio-
A boat tour down the Riverwalk-




You can't go to San Antonio without visiting the Alamo-




Some pictures from the Alamo Bowl Pep Rally- this was held on the Riverwalk at night. It was a great setting as they brought the bands and players in on boats down the river.
Connor loved all the excitement-This is serious stuff Coach Pinkel has to say- Connor listens intently-
The (extra) cheerleaders made us very nervous sitting on the edge of the riverwalk and then stunting there as well-


Connor had lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. The storm sounds and big animals didn't scare him at all- he had a blast!
Petting the BIG tiger-


Connor out for a walk on the riverwalk with Nana and Pops- Here we are with our friends from New Orleans-
The boys-
Connor had a blast at the game. Enjoying the pizza, corn dogs, and ice cream- what can I say, like his mom he knows how to eat his way through a sporting event! As always he loved the band, Truman and the "girls" as he calls them.



This is what I thought would be the field goal to win the game. Oops, maybe not.Overtime! Look at the excitment in everyone's faces-

Whew! Amazing- they pulled it off- MU wins! Time to celebrate. Of course, Connor missed the fireworks, balloon drop and all the celebrations at the end but it was late and he was tired!



At the hotel we stayed in the had the display of glass flowers below and an antique car in the lobby. Connor loved them both! He'd run back and forth countless time dragging anyone he could with them to point out the different colored flowers and the orange on the car tires. Here he is runningNana through one last time before we left-

It's so good to be home and in my car seat!


Merry Christmas- Lawson's

This year we had four seperate Christmas celebrations with family. Due to the overwhelming amount of photos, I've divided them in to seperate posts. They start with the last one on Christmas day and work back from there.

Our final Christmas celebration was on Christmas morning with Nana, Pops and Carter. After waiting for Connor to wake up- apparently the holidays help him sleep in- we went down for breakfast and gifts-

Nana and Pops have a new white tree in the basement. Connor loves to look at it, turn it on by it's remote and point out all the lights.


Opening our stocking with Pops-
Yea, a Little Einstein's laptop-

And a wagon that I can ride in, can't wait to use it-

Merry Christmas- at Fortuna

Christmas Eve we always go to Fortuna to celebrate Christmas with the Lawson family. We eat a bunch of snacks, open gifts and go to church. It's always a very special church service that reminds us all of what Christmas is really about. We also get to see some of the Carter family that we usually only see twice a year. My cousin Kara has 2 1/2 year old twins and a five month old baby- they are all adorable but watching them sure makes our lives look a lot easier!
Probably one of the funniest parts of the evening (especially to everyone but me) was when at the dinner table Connor announced, or demanded, "I need a cookie RIGHT NOW!" Funny the first time but not something we need to be announcing regularly. I think Connor's favorite part of Christmas is the cookies!

Let the gifts begin! Every year at Christmas when we were little Pa (my Grandpa) would say, "look at all this, this is ridiculous" when we saw all the presents spread out under the tree and all over the room. It had gotten a little better as we all grew older and gift cards don't take up a lot of room. But now that Connor's here I'll say it myself- "it was ridiculous" but just like Pa wouldn't dare stop it I don't think anyone else would want it any other way-
Connor decided that getting his picture taken was fun and started "cheesing" for the picture. So now I get lots of close ups-

Oh wow- Firemen boots-

And a vacuum-
And a bean bag chair-Okay- here was the funniest part of the day- Connor walking in his firemen boots is hilarious! I think you can tell by the looks on the faces in the background-

Merry Christmas- at home

Since we were so busy Christmas day getting ready to leave for our trip we celebrated Christmas at home on Christmas eve. It really helps Santa out getting a head start on the 23rd and Connor got some time to play with his new toys. Most of my pictures were either blurry from motion, too dark or have a black fuzzy blur in them from Tiger getting in on the action-

Oh wow- Santa Claus came, ate the cookies, drank the milk (or coffee as Connor said since it was in a coffe cup) and left a note thanking Connor for the treats for him and the reindeer.

Wow- he left a stack of gifts too!

Connor's favorite gift- a bunch of food to play with! I don't think he would have minded if he didn't get anything else but the food. He absolutely loves going through it and feeding it to everyone-Wow- a Handy Manny tool set that sings! Connor's favorite to play with is the pliers (pwiers)-
After all that hard work opening gifts it's time for a cookie and milk break! Yes, it must be a special day if we get cookies for breakfast!
No Tiger it's not for you-


The food is all put up but that doesn't last for long!
Paw Paw and Grammy stopped by Christmas Eve to deliver some gifts. They had to come early along with Santa since they were preparing to leave for Mexico. Connor misses them already and Colin and I are just jealous- we know they're having a blast!
Connor gets to show Grammy his new food-

Grammy trust me- by the time you get back everyone else will be more than happy to let you be fed by Connor for a while!

Merry Christmas-KC- McCutcheon's

On Sunday December 21, we traveled to Lee's Summit to celebrate Christmas at Nana's sister Kristy, Kemp and Kara's house. This was the first of our Christmas celebrations. We had a great time watching all the kids open their gifts and play. It was great to see everyone since we don't get to see the McCutcheon's much except for at an occasional MU game.
Here is Connor and Nana with one of Kara's dogs, checking out their Christmas tree.
Yea, these presents are fun, you sit on them right?
Oh wow- their's stuff under the paper- and even better it's toys!
Reading one of my new books with Daddy-

This is what happens when you have a four hour car ride, no nap, lots of sugar, and so many presents to open! Seconds after opening his last gift Connor crashed on Daddy-