Baby's first Christmas

Christmas this year was spent in Reno with the Stodtmeister clan. Since Kipp had several tests, and class until the Tuesday before Christmas, Beck and I headed out early. Using the voucher from the Boise fiasco, Beck and I traveled a whole 1.5 hrs and landed in Reno safely on the Friday prior to Christmas. It was nice for us to go early so we didn't have to sit in a car for 7+hours, and so I could have a little break from constantly holding him. As you can tell Grandpa Rod and Beck got along just swell. (It must be a grandpa thing, both grandpa's put Beck to sleep by falling asleep themselves.)

During our trip we went bowling, saw the new Star Wars movie 'The Force Awakens', and took a few dips in the new hot tub that was installed in the backyard. It was exhausting... Kipp thought he needed to capture the exhaustion of Beck and I. Not our best picture, but its tender. 

Christmas Eve rolled around and Beck demanded he get into his best threads to impress Santa. Every year Rod's family and their kids get together for a nice dinner and await the arrival of Santa. Once the big man got there, Beck was a little unsure about the whole situation. 

After the masses left (22 adults, 7children, and a baby were in attendance) the Grandchildren all received their Christmas jammies. Beck was just about to outgrow his, so its a good thing Christmas wasn't later in the week, or we might have had to cut out the toes. 

At last, Christmas morning! The stockings were hung by the chimney with care the night before, but come morning they are too full to hang on the steel gingerbread men hooks. 

Watching the nieces and nephews open their gifts from Santa was great. Their excitement was contagious. Beck even had a gift or two from Santa and I didn't mind helping him open them. Beck was more concerned if his hand had changed flavors since the last time he tasted it. 

Grandma was more than willing to help Beck see what all his cousins got from Santa, and help him enjoy the holiday. I think we are going to start needing a bigger house. With everyone home, we couldn't all fit in the living room. 

After the initial Santa presents we did a wardrobe change before stockings and brought out Santa's biggest, little fan.. Santa Beck. (Also pictured below next to Kipp, Alex a.k.a girl Alex, Alex's fiancé) After stocking and unwrapping presents Santa Beck needed another nap, and who better to nap with than Grandpa. 

While naps were being taken by the old, and the young, the middle aged group enjoyed a rousing game of Injustice (a superhero/villian X-Box video game). It wouldn't be a holiday without video games in a family of boys. 

After a shower, we asked Terra (Kyle's wife) to take a few family photos so we could remember Beck's first christmas. She did a wonderful job. Here are my favorites. 

Santa Beck as a nice bowl full of jelly belly just like the real Santa. He was a perfect mini replica.

Overall, it was a wonderful Christmas. Family, fun, and presents...who could ask for more. Beck sure enjoyed all the attention and craziness. I am no longer entertainment enough for him, he wants more. 

Terra also does videos of trips and vacations. Here is the one she did for the Christmas season. It is mainly for her and Kyle, but it has some great memories and cute snips of Beck in the second half. That's Kyle mainly in the film and holding Beck by the christmas tree, don't get confused by the twin thing :) Perhaps I will get better at videoing life so then you'll know its Kipp and not his twin.