December: Week 5 of Trip

On December 18th I took mainly videos. But, it was the day that Everett started waving, "hi!"

On the morning of December 19th, Emily discovered that Mama and Mimi had done a lot of wrapping the night before! So, she spent some time putting all of the presents under the tree...

and later that afternoon, Susan and Lucy came over to visit! (Lucy is 11 weeks younger than Everett)
Emily was napping when they arrived so the babies had a lot of time to just play with each other...
(Please note "the claw" - Everett is ALWAYS holding on to something!)

before a final picture and farewell.
On December 20th, we drove south and met up with some friends at a park! When we arrived, Emily was proudly showing off her baby brother/stepping in to guard him/making sure everyone knew who the baby belonged to!

We did our best to snap a picture of the whole crowd (L-R: Jack, Adelyn, Everett, Emily, Josh, Grace, and Mike) - thank you for meeting me Katie and Kristy!! There is NEVER enough time to talk!

December 21st marked Everett's first word. He consistently says, "hi" when someone approaches and when he waves. It was also the day that Everett first tried a Baby Mum-Mum. They are new since Emily was a baby and I think they look like cuttle bones for parakeets. But, I gave him one anyway. Here's how it went. Right away he put it in his mouth.

He bit down and managed to get a good size piece off.
Feeling what was in his mouth he looked down to check out what was left...
before it registered. "There is something mushy, tasteless, and BIG in my mouth!"
"Oh wait, Mama has the camera. Must look like it doesn't bother me."
(I haven't given him Mum-Mums too many times. Maybe he would like them a lot more now.)

On December 22nd, we excitedly drove to pick up Daddy from the airport! Yahoo!!!
On December 23rd, we went and had pictures taken for Mimi and Papa's Christmas gift. (I will share the video I made of the event.)

Then, December 24th - Christmas Eve finally arrived! That morning, Daddy and Emily made cookies for Santa...
and Everett learned that it was almost time for his FIRST CHRISTMAS!
He was excited!
That evening, we went to mass...
ate dinner with the whole family at Mimi and Papa's, and Emily made sure to put out treats for Santa and the reindeer.
Christmas Eve - the best night of the year!