Merry Christmas Eve's Eve!!

Our Christmas celebrations officially began today!  Jonathan's mom and step-dad, brother and sister-in-law, and grandma all came to our house to visit, eat, open gifts, and to do a little work on the baby's room.  I am one exhausted Mama tonight and we still have two days worth of travelling, staying up late, and family time on the agenda.  As tiring as it may be, I wouldn't trade it for the world - how lucky are we to have so many people who love us and want to spend time with us for Christmas?!!?

Marc has been working hard on some very special Christmas gifts for the baby.  He took my ideas for the nursery and made them into a reality!! He built some forward-facing book shelves for the wall, an abacus frame for above the crib, and is currently working on some corner shelves for behind the glider and a side table made out of an old stump we found.  The baby's room is really coming together so I thought I would share some pictures of our progress.  I can't wait to start adding the little touches, like pictures and decorations!  A big THANK YOU to Annette too for sewing the adorable curtains for his room and for being Marc's awesome assistant in all of his projects as well.

bookshelves

abacus frame (ready for beads to be added)

glider/ottoman and new elephant print curtains

newly painted dresser

closet doors and mounted tv

I have lots of ideas for finishing touches to the room that I will be adding over the next weeks.  Jonathan and I both love how it's all come together so far and can't wait to see the finished project!

Jonathan's dad and step-mom went on a long European (I think) cruise right after Thanksgiving.  After they got home, they both came down with horrible cough/colds.  Roger has finally gotten over most of his sickness, but poor Barbara is still hacking away and feels miserable this week.  We had plans to spend Christmas Eve with them so I'm hoping she feels well enough tomorrow to at least open her gifts and visit for a little bit!  There's nothing worse than being sick on Christmas!  Last year we had to miss my step-mom's family's Christmas because I felt so deathly ill with a bad cold.  It's no fun... so I am definitely praying Barbara feels better ASAP!

Santa came to our house early this year since we won't be home Christmas morning.  We got a 2011 wedding ornament, our yearly dated Jim Shore ornamnet, and fruit in our stockings!  I also got a hot air popcorn popper and some Zignano running shoes from Jonathan (to go with our new treadmill).  The baby got some super cute things as well today... we are already so excited to spend next Christmas with the little guy.  He will be eleven months old this time next year which means he could possibly even be walking - it's so hard to believe!

Merry Christmas to all of our family and friends!  We send our love and hope for a great new year to each and every one of you (even if we didn't get around to sending out actual Christmas cards).