break time

charlie and I took a short trip to green bay to see some family before spending Christmas in rochester. it was great being able to relax at home.

nana was determined to get out and sled with charlie. except the safest area to sled was basically flat so it didn’t last too long.

while outside charlie found pop’s skid steer. he wanted to play on it so badly. luckily it snowed during the week so he was able to ride on it with pops.

rolling out his play dough.

this kid is a pro at drinking hot chocolate.

charlie still needs some work helping to decorate the cookies instead of just eating the sprinkles.

charlie opened an early christmas gift from nana and pops.

we mainly opened the gift so charlie and uncle tom could play together.

charlie loved watching pops light the fire in the morning with the torch.

here are charlie and pops clearing the driveway in the skid steer. he loved it and when my dad tried to stop he kept pulling the bar down and saying “more”.

my mom had to work one morning so my dad and I took charlie to visit “the plant” (bay towel – a family business my dad used to help run). we both thought he would love the machines and noises and boy were we right. he was so stunned by all the action and noises he barely made any facial expressions. he just soaked it all in.

watching the machines iron the table linens.

his first smile.

I took a nap every day on the couch in front of the fire every afternoon. charlie was so sweet and would come and give me a “hug” (he always says hug when he gives hugs).

then he said something that cracked me up.

giving me an “eye” (he also says eye every time he wants an eye kiss) kiss.

one evening charlie found the ear protection that he wore when he was on the skid steer and had a blast playing with it. my mom and I were dying laughing watching him experiment with them.

he couldn’t quite figure out how he couldn’t hear himself or us very well.