Christmas

On December 23, the excitement level was reaching new highs. We put on "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," but Owen didn't have any interest in watching it. Instead, he was thoroughly entertaining himself by standing up on his stool, putting his hands behind his back, and announcing in a loud and merry voice, "Merry Christmas, Mama!"
Then he would get down, run around, and do it all over again. (Pooh and PapaRuss look on with amusement.)
On Christmas Eve, some floor time with Boo:
Some yard time with Uncle Brad:
And a scrumptious Christmas Eve family dinner (prepared by my sweet husband) - I have no idea what Owen had just done when this picture was taken, but it got a good reaction for sure:
After dinner, some couch time with Aunt Amy and Dada:
That evening, it was time to get ready for bed and read The Night Before Christmas. Owen got suited up in his red PJs, we all snuggled up on the couch, and Owen acted - for one hot second - like he was going to sit calmly and picturesquely in Bill's lap as he read. But before Bill had even gotten through the title, Owen hopped out of his lap and continued spinning like a top around the living room.

After the reading, we managed to get a few family photos:
Here is the picture I took at about 1:00am on Christmas morning before finally going to bed:
And here are Owen and Pooh, bright and early on Christmas morning, sitting at Owen's new table:
Opening presents:
Intermission with PapaRuss:
Owen helping to set the table for Christmas dinner:
It was, without question, the most exciting Christmas of Owen's life so far (and there was still excitement yet to come!).