Ohio Week 1: Getting in the Christmas Spirit

We can't believe it but we have officially left DC and are in Ohio on home leave now. Less than a month until we arrive in Trinidad--time is really flying!

Meanwhile, we have been very busy getting ready for Christmas. Here are some snapshots of our first week in Ohio, in no particular order:



Advent calendar time with Nicholas

it might have been a little bit past his bedtime, so he was snoozing

our little eskimo

Nicholas with Grandpa Machak right before we cut down his first Christmas tree. It was COLD out so after we picked out the tree, Mommy and Nicholas waited in the car while Grandpa and Daddy cut it down.

our little family

Nicholas experienced his first snow! He would have experienced it a day earlier had we been in DC or California--how ironic is that?

We went to this really cool Christmas store in Sharon, PA called Kraynak's. They have a huge display of Christmas trees and settings. Being so close to Pittsburgh, they even had a Steeler's tree!

also at Kraynak's, next to the angel

and the nativity scene

and Rudolph!

Mommy's little reindeer next to the reindeer

The first Sunday back David got to go to a Brown's game, with all day tailgating beforehand.

We also went to go see a local Christmas musical. The music was very loud electric guitar, but a small someone managed to sleep right through!

all bundled up, we have to squeeze Nicholas into his carseat. He's not a huge fan of coats or hats or gloves, so we think he'll like Trinidad....

with Grandma and Grandpa in the living room

too cute

Our family in front of the Christmas tree. This was at the end of a long photo session, and someone was pooped out.

Don't we make a nice Christmas card?

As you can see we had a very busy first week in Ohio. David also took me to go out to a nice dinner and to see the Nutcracker in Youngstown. It was a really nice performance and we really enjoyed our date night. The craziness won't stop here-- this weekend we will decorate the tree that we cut down yesterday, and hopefully get our Christmas cards out soon. David's friend Grant is coming to visit on Saturday and we are looking forward to spending time with him. On Sunday, Nicholas is getting baptized! Then next week we have Christmas shopping and eye doctor appointments, and we need to work on getting all our stuff organized and putting together the baby book. Lots of projects!

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had a very nice Thanksgiving with Christy's aunt and uncle and sister visiting. Nicholas was very excited to meet his Aunt Katie and see his Great Aunt Joyce and Great Uncle Gene again. We had dinner at Old Ebbitt's grill. Friday we did a bit of shopping in Georgetown, enjoyed dinner at Ray's the Steaks, and went out to visit the Pattons for dessert. It was very nice and relaxing. It's going to be a busy week--the movers come Wednesday and Friday we move to Ohio. We are going to miss DC! Hopefully in two years we'll be back to stay a while.

Meet Baby Machak!

This past weekend Nicholas took his first trip to Ohio. He did well in the car, sleeping the entire way. We stopped twice to nurse and change his diaper, but that was all. We had a great time at Grandma and Grandpa Machak's. Thursday night we had an early Thanksgiving dinner, Saturday Grandma Machak hosted a "Meet Baby Machak" party, and Sunday was Grandma Machak's birthday so we all got to celebrate together before we drove back to Washington, DC on Monday.


All set up for the party.

The house is decorated for Christmas already and looks beautiful!

more decorations in the sunroom

a yummy cake!

Grandma and Nicholas in front of the cuckoo clock

chocolate covered apples

Grandma Machak and her friend Jan with Nicholas

baby boy chocolate cigars!

Nicholas with Grandma Machak, Great Aunt Jane, and Margaret

party guests enjoying some delicious food

David, Nicholas, and Aunt Rose

Aunt Rose and Uncle Ray

Christy, Nicholas, Uncle Bill and Aunt Mary Jane

Nicholas fell asleep in Uncle Bill's arms

David, Nicholas, Manny, and Evelyn

Nicholas in his Ohio State gear with Grandpa. He brought good luck-- Ohio State beat Michigan!

hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa

presents!

Mom get me out of my church clothes!

tummy time!

look at my cute tush

my first Thanksgiving outfit

Thanksgiving dinner

Nicholas in his swing and his Thanksgiving outfit

Christy's sister and Nicholas' Aunt Katie arrived today from Denver, and Uncle Gene and Aunt Joyce arrive tomorrow from Pittsburgh to spend Thanksgiving in DC. We can't wait!