We have a sitter!!

Eli is sitting up for real now. Check it out!

a boy and his backyard

Outside equals happiness for our little Jayden boy. if he had his way he'd be outside from the time he wakes up till he goes to bed, taking breaks only to eat and nap. It has been too cold to play outside much for the last couple weeks but finally yesterday it was BEAUTIFUL so outside we went. Here's Jayden in the sandbox with Eleni (his cousin) and Grace (next door neighbor).



My brother and sister-in-law also brought their dog which has provided hours of entertainment for Jayden. Here he is getting ready to throw the ball to Laska.

I just LOVE this picture


A new attraction outside is the slide/play center that Grandma Gayle and Grandpa Roger got him for Christmas!!



Getting ready to slide


Starting the slide


And finishing. PHEW, thanks Grace!

Christmas Eve = Jayden is 19 months old!!

So Christmas Eve also marked Jayden turning 19 months!! Wahoo!! Go Jayden. Its crazy to think that he is closer to two than one now. Can't say that much has changed in the last month. He is continually coming out with new words and that is so fun! He is running all over the place and exploring every part of his world. He's a blast and we love him to pieces!!

And here's one more pic of Christmas morning. I walked into the kitchen at one point to find Chooch and Jayden just hanging out on the floor. Too cute!!

Christmas morning with 13 people is quite an adventure. Especially when 5 of them are kids!! Granted, Eli slept through most of it but STILL, it was pretty insane!! But so wonderful to see the looks on all their faces as they tore into their presents.

Here's Mommy and Jayden before the present opening began!


Eli with his first ever Christmas present!


Jayden opening his present from Mommy and Daddy, a See-N-Say.


Grandma Dottie and Eli. To see a picture of Jayden in these same Christmas PJs just one year ago, click here.


Everett with his SUPER COOL pirate ship.


Jayden opening his toy trash truck from Grandma Dottie and Grandpa Phil.


Eli got a stuffed Dumbo from Grandma Dottie and Grandpa Phil


Eli and Mommy

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve in the Adams/Stephens/Smolinski household is quite the event!!! This year we had 31 people over for dinner, singing, and a nativity play! We had just enough kids this year, who were also the right ages, to have a Mary, Joseph, two shepherds, two angels, and of course, the baby Jesus!! Jayden was an angel and Eli was the baby Jesus!! Here are some shots from the night.

Jayden got all dressed up and we even did his hair! You almost couldn't recognize him. :)


Here's Eli (a.k.a. baby Jesus) with his Grandma Gayle

Here's Jayden as an angel. To the left of Jayden is Eleni, his only girl cousin, as the other angel. Holding her is Andrea, my crazy sister-in-law.

From left to right....one shepherd (Jack, my cousin's son), Mary (Kate, my cousin's daughter), another shepherd (everett, our nephew), and Joseph (owen, also our nephew).

As you can see, our Nativity play was complete with costumes, thanks to my mom and my aunt Ann!! Such amazing seamstresses!

About halfway through the singing and performances, Everett just knocked out on the sofa!

He slept through caroling, piano pieces, readings, and a group singing of the 12 Days of Christmas. About 10 years ago, my uncle Dave and I started the tradition of leading everyone is singing the 12 Days of Christmas, complete with hand motions for every "day". Here is everyone singing along. This always serves as the finale to our evening!

This is "5 Golden Rings" (note Everett to the left side of the picture)


All in all, Christmas Eve was a blast!!

Jayden got his first haircut this weekend!!! Here are some "before" shots.



As you can see, it had gotten quite long and mullet-like!! He did GREAT while they cut it. The lady said he was a "dream come true" cause he sat still so well.



And here are some "after" shots!

cats=happy Jayden

Step #1: spot kitty on other side of door


Step #2: Almost explode with excitement!



Step #3: Take another glance at the perfection that is the kitty


Step #4: Almost explode with excitement again!

oh the cuteness!!

Eli loves his Baby Einstein exersaucer!!

just a boy and his snowman!!!

leaves

a pianist in the making!!

Jayden LOVES LOVES LOVES music and all things related. We let him "play" the piano the other day. He was in heaven!! Maybe he'll take after his mommy and be a piano player. One can hope!