Tag Archives: powell

December 30, 2018

The Christmas holiday was a little different for us this year. After being in Mansfield for a few days, we headed back to Powell in the afternoon of Christmas Eve. After a morning of lounging and then all receiving our traditional pajamas (this year we did it around the kitchen table!) we headed back home and readied ourselves for church at NPC. This was the first year we’ve attended our church on Christmas Eve. It was a nice service of songs, a short sermon, and candles at the end. I spent the last 15 minutes perusing the hallways and lobby with Reid as he was operating on full-speed and wouldn’t sit still or be quiet. 
After church we headed home and enjoyed a nice family dinner. Then it was off to bed for the kiddos, but not before Griffin helped us get Santa’s cookies and milk ready. We made slice and bake tree cookies from Aldi and set some carrots out for the reindeer too. It was a really late and short night – I went to bed about 2 am!
Christmas morning Griffin came into our room about 7:30. He was excited, but not extremely excited like I thought he might be. We lounged for a few minutes while Daddy went down to feed the dogs. Then we got Reid and headed downstairs! We snapped a few pictures of the boys on the stairs, I love the one of Reid looking at Finn. They were both pretty reserved when they walked in to the family room and saw all of the gifts around the tree. We enjoyed a slow pace of opening gifts. They each took their time exploring their stockings and opening gifts. Reid loved the toothbrush, in particular, and his new bowls. Griffin loved his remote control truck, beanie boos, and dart boards. 
 
 
After we had opened almost all the gifts we had a quick and tasty breakfast of overnight french toast. Then we headed to the basement to “take a few toys downstairs”. Kevin had setup a new train track and we’d covered the air hockey table and put a bow on it.  I was really surprised at how low-key Griffin was. He thought whatever was under the sheet was for us, not him! Once we uncovered it everyone jumped in and played a couple of games.
 
Next up, we packed up some things and headed north to Mansfield to continue Christmas with Mom, Dad, and the Bethunes. Graham, Rowan, and Greta were excited to show Finn and Reid their gifts. Then a small bit of chaos ensued while everyone opened more gifts, lol. 
Before Christmas Dinner we did another round of family photos. I didn’t include any outtakes here, but believe me there were plenty of cries and crankiness between these great ones. Reid can quickly flip a switch from fussy to happy baby. 
Here are several shots of Reid and his funny expressions. As I’ve said before, he’s extremely observant and can mock and behavior, expression, or sound if he feels up to it. He is also quite in to clicking and unclicking his high chair or car seat snaps. He can easily occupy himself for 10 minutes just clicking and unclicking. 
With the holidays I’ve enjoyed a bit of a relaxed work schedule. I’ve taken a few days off and the other days gone in a bit later. We enjoyed a nice french toast and sausage breakfast one morning before I left – Hannah joined us too.  We headed to Enon for a couple days for the Armstrong Christmas. This year the Christmas gathering was at Jim and Pat’s house. Not long after we arrived Griffin was pretty excited to open gifts, so we opened them and then played with all the new toys. Griffin also loved playing on Grandma and Grandpa’s mini-trampoline. It’s a good way to expend some energy 🙂
The next day the many of the Armstrongs came to the family gathering. Reid loved playing with everyone and Brutus warmed up to everyone after the first 15 minutes.  

March 25, 2018 ~ 44 weeks

It was a pretty cold easter egg hunt this year at Village Green Park in Powell! We busted out the snowsuit for Reid, it was his first time in it and it was a bit short so he wasn’t able to move too well. But it worked 🙂

This year on Palm Sunday Griffin walked in along with many other kids waving Palm branches. They stood on the stage and waved their branches during a song too. Uncle Andy hung out with Reid while I snapped a photo of Finn practicing and his sent me the selfie :).  Griffin sure loves his brother. Reid is a tummy sleeper and oftentimes tucks his little legs up under his belly and his little booty is up in the air. He sure loves his sleep and has turned into the easiest baby to put to bed. Basically put him down with a pacifier and walk out! Big boys tag teaming in the cart at Costco! This guy continues to sleep all crazy in his room. Sometimes on the floor. Sometimes near the door in the little cubby of his room. Even when he’s on his bed he moves all around and ends up in crazy positions! Debbie took this pic and I have it as one of the pics on my office computer monitors. Every time someone sees it they just chuckle and remark about those cheeks.  And look at these two! These Facebook and Google photo reminders have been flooding my notifications lately. Ugh, so little!!  Griffin and Reid look totally different!