What I Did Over My Christmas Vacation (An essay by Andrew Langner)

Happy New Year, everyone! My parents are really bad about keeping up with this blog, so I thought it was about time for me to take over the keyboard. I'm much wittier than Mom and Dad anyway!

I just started back at school after a long break. So in true school fashion, I'd like to tell you how I spent my Christmas vacation! Please enjoy my photo essay for your viewing and reading pleasure.

First, my Grandpa and Grandma came to visit from Ohio! It wasn't even Christmas yet, but it sure was fun. I laughed a lot and showed them my tricks. I've got some skillz when it comes to babbling and blowing zerberts.

I love these guys!

I also helped to decorate our Christmas tree! I screamed a lot when my parents tried fitting me into these PJs, but I look darn cute, don't I? And oooh - the pretty ornaments!

Then Nana came from Ohio and spent Christmas with us! She gave me some great presents. Swasey and I both liked the wrapping paper a lot. And the toys were cool, too!

Then Mimi and Papa came in from Florida. We went to their house on Christmas day and got snowed in! Then we got to stay an extra day and play at their house. My aunt, uncle and cousins were there, too. But Mom and Dad were too busy to take pictures with everyone. But I really liked playing with Melanie who helped me open my new bath toys!

On New Year's Eve, my friend James came over! He is only three days older than me, so we like to play with the same toys and do the same things. Mommy calls this picture, "Future Wing Man." I don't get it.



And this is James and me enjoying our own New Year's bubbly!

Swasey and Champ were around a lot, too. They even came to Mimi and Papa's house. Champ only comes near me when I have food. But Swasey is a real pal.

Look! My new toy box! Are their puppy toys in here, too?


I also spent some of my vacation time humoring Daddy by cheering on his favorite teams.

And just before the vacation ended, my cousin Elise came over to play!

Elise is older than me, so she was showing me how to walk. I can pull myself up now, so I think I'm on my way!

I also learned a few new sounds that sound an awful lot like Duck, Quack, Car, and Bye! Pretty great additions to the "Mama" and "Dada" noises I've been making for a while. Pretty sure those are the words that landed me on Santa's nice list. Now that I know what it takes, I'm working on a few doozies for next year, big guy.

Whew - I'm tired after having so much fun! I got to snuggle with my grandparents, see some friends, and open presents. I can't wait for next Christmas!