Christmas Morning and Matt's New Room

Christmas morning was a lot of fun this year. Matt was up at his usual time of 6am but we were able to keep him in our bed until 7, while Mommy and Daddy got some more sleep. We then enjoyed breakfast together and read the Christmas story together. It was nice and relaxing, Matt was a little scared to go downstairs because he thought Santa was still here, although once he realized it was just presents he was eager to open them.

 He was so shocked to see that Santa ate his cookies ("Santa cookies all gone, Mommy")

 Checking out his stocking

Matt's new room is finally done and he got the train table for Christmas. He has since moved in officially and is loving it. He has transitioned very well and is sleeping great in his new big boy bed. Our next project is converting the nursery into a girly place for baby Ally. Pictures of that too come.

Of course his new room is still a hockey theme, considering that is all he talks about we couldn't imagine designing it any other way.

 The family pictures (he knows every body's name and loves to point everybody out) and below is his coat hook covered in hockey stickers.

 Book case and some more hockey pictures (these are pictures that my mom scrapbooked for Matt when he was little so they are extra special now)

 Playing with his new train table (he just loves it), he even has to sleep with a train every night now.



Christmas with the Gardner's

Christmas Eve at the Gardner's this year was lots of fun. All of Brian's siblings are currently dating and it was nice to spend sometime altogether. Matt was the life of the party as usual and really enjoyed his gifts from his Aunts and Uncles.

Gardner Family

 Matt showing of his new hockey helmet and jersey from Uncle Timmy

 Being a goalie (he likes to fall after he stops the puck), using his new sticks and net from Uncle Gary

 Taking a water break just like the really goalies

 Loving his new race track from Great Papa and Nana

 Trying out his new kitchen from Ya-Ya and Papa

Visiting Ohio after Christmas

The day after Christmas we made the trip to Ohio to visit my family. Matt did great in the car, Mickey Mouse Club House and plenty of snacks were my lifesavers. While in Ohio we got to spend a ton of time with my family. We stayed at my dad's and Matt just loved being at Papa's house. Brian and I enjoyed the chance to sleep in a bit when Matt and Papa got up early (thanks Dad!!) We even took a two day mini trip to Kalahari Indoor Water Park in Sandusky with my dad and sisters. We all had a blast at the water park and even talked about returning this year.

Matt showing of his Thomas backpack that Papa Soeder got him. He just loved it and my dad did a great job shopping for Matt this year. He even went to Toys R Us on Christmas Eve.

Matt and Maddie playing on the bike. And then Matt showing off his new OSU pj's

Playing his new game with Aunt Jamie and Uncle Kenny (BIG)

 Helping Papa make meatballs

While at Kalahari Matt wanted to play in the 4 story tree house playground. Daddy went with him and let's just say it made Daddy very tired later.

 Playing in the kiddie area

 Matt showing off his gummy worm that Papa got him (he enjoyed lots of candy on this trip thanks to my family)

All of us outside of the resort

 Enjoying the wave pool 

Matt and Aunt Jamie were pillow fighting

While in Ohio Brian and I celebrated 5 years of marriage. We were able to enjoy a nice dinner together and then we had cake to celebrate with my family. We have been blessed with 5 amazing years of marriage and can't wait to see what the future holds.

Playing Catch-Up

Things have been very busy around the Gardner house lately. I am almost 29 weeks along and things are going well. I am feeling pretty good most days, I am tired after work but that is nothing new. We are making progress on Matt's new room, we got his new bed last weekend and Brian put it together, now all we need to do is decorate and get the finishing touches done. Can't wait to post pictures of the big reveal. We are planning on moving him to his new room after the holidays and then I can start working on the nursery becoming girly.

Matt is still obsessed with hockey and lately all he wants to do is wear his skates and gloves and try to play like the big guys. When you ask him what he wants for Christmas he simply says, "A helmet" and then he tells us that Uncle Gary and Uncle Timmy are going to get it for him. Hopefully they get the memo :) Well I think that might be it for now, my brain has stopped working... it has been a long week. Enjoy the new pictures.

26 weeks (I am a little behind, need to take a new belly shot soon)

Matt decided he needed a belly shot too

Our little hockey player 

 The Gardner's on Thanksgiving (we went ice skating in the morning)

Picking out our Christmas tree

 Our family tree (I even have the presents wrapped already)



Matt and I visit Ohio

A few weekends ago Matt and I traveled to Ohio to visit the family. He did so well on the flights, now that he has his own seat it is great. He played with his hockey guys almost the whole time. While we were in Ohio we got to spend lots of time with my family and even checked out the Lake Erie Monster's hockey game. Of course Matt loved it.

Maddie and Matt (2nd cousins) showing off their face paintings

 At the good old hockey game

 Me and my sisters (it was so good to spend some time with them)

 Matt and Maddie

 On Sunday we headed to the Browns/Ram's game.... two bad teams playing each other. What a great football game!! We got their early and tailgated, Papa cooked food on his new travel grill for us and we even got to play some corn hole.

Hanging out before the game.

 Matt and Uncle Kenny playing corn hole

 Matt singing "hot dog" from the Mickey Mouse show

 Aunt Jamie and Matt enjoying some raspberries

 Since it was Veterans Day they had a special flag (so cool)

 Our little Brown's fan

 Me and my boy

 All of us at the game

 Tailgating was too much for him... he slept most of the first quarter

 Papa and Matt

Can't wait til Christmas when we get to go back to Ohio!!