The Wright Mommy

December 27th, 2012, I took Ryder for his first hair cut. Finally, his hair was longish enough to warrent an official hair cut. He was just over 21 months old. Seems like it took him forever to grow hair, let alone enough hair to need cutting. I know a few Moms who hold off as long as possible before cutting their kids' hair because they want to hold on to the baby curls, or the softness of all that baby hair...I was not that Mom. Ryder simply has not grown much hair over the last year and a half. I always intended to take him to one of those fun "kid friendly" hair places for his first cut and Thursday afternoon, I took him to "Melonheads." Ryder got to sit in a fun chair with a steering wheel. He wore a fun cape and sat like such a big big boy. He did not make a peep the whole time and he wore a very serious face. He refused to crack a smile, or to show any expression at all until he got a succer at the end! :)

Christmas is undisputably, my favorite time of year! Everything about it makes my heart happy, but this year it was extra special. Just like with any family, whenever you can all be together, the holidays are that much more meaningful and for us, this was one of those Christmases! Aimee, Shane and Max came from Colorado to spend Christmas in Alberta! Having the three of them here, meant that our whole family (The DesRochers side) was all together! It was just like old times...except that this time our traditions included two adorable little cuties who learned to play together, chase eachother around and play "fireman" with Uncle Whee-oooo. We decorated cookies with Grammy, we built snowmen with Auntie, we put together lego with Uncle Hoser, we wore matching jammies, sang songs too loud and ran up and down the aisles in church. It was a great, memorable time!!

I got so much joy out of watching Mom in her proud glory with her entire family in her home being loved and spoiled, but my absolute favorite was watching Max and Ryder.

Max teaching Ryder about Thomas the Tank Engine.

Grammy helping the boys decorate cookies...Ryder decorates more like me...less artisitc but LOTS of icing...more of it ending up being licked off fingers than on cookies. :)

Max was much better at decorating. His cookies had a more carefully planned design. Ryder kept changing his mind on how he wanted his cookies to look. He'd lick off one design, take the knife and try something new. He only decorated a couple cookies, but each one had several coats of icing...

Baking gingerbread!

Uncle "Whee ooo" playing fireman with the boys!

No one could make Ryder giggle quite like Uncle Whee Ooo

There were lots of hugs and....kisses!! (Ryder is really affectionate, always asking for a hug, first then insisting on "kiss kiss"

Family photos before Church on Christmas Eve.

The Coles

Ryder refused to put down this little mixer for the photo and he was not happy I took his "sucky" out. Amazingly, he had the best time at church racing up and down the aisles...I was worried it was going to be an ugly hour since it started this way.....