Cupcake

Our neighbor Joanna brought over some cupcakes tonight to thank Paul for snowblowing her drive last week. The following is what ensued when Max was presented with a cupcake. Just a little insight into that boy!


He does usually wear clothes. However, we were having spaghetti for dinner, and with a chocolate cupcake on the way, we thought it better to just go topless. :-)

Abcs

He has such a cute little voice. I love my little dude.

Christmas III: Ruoccorama

Our second leg of the Christmas trip took us to Grandpa Joe and Grandma Cathy's house in the Ta (a.k.a. Wichita). This portion of any trip usually entails a great deal of silliness and fun. And then having Max along is great, too.


We started the evening by completing a bet Joe had with me when I was a sophomore in high school. He had bet $11 that I could not eat a cracker with anchovy paste. I needed gas money, so I tried. I gagged. I lost. Well, on Christmas Eve, I made a comeback. I ate a REAL anchovy on a cracker. $11 well earned. Then I did a money dance for Ben to revel in my triumph.



Jamie tried to keep Max from the madness with some reading of a new book from Grandpa.


Since Max had to get to bed, we did our Christmas and dinner asap.
Ben and Jamie got the boy a BBQ grill, complete with every accessory one could imagine.




Joe's labor of love (still) is gathering an entire collection of Cars Shake 'n Go toys. He made quite a start and presented Max with the collection and rug on which to drive the cars. These stay at Grandpa and Grandma's so that Max gets them all over again any time we visit.




Then there was a lull in the action while Max went to bed, and we waited for Rob and Sara to arrive. We busied ourselves with goofy pictures and watching Joe nap.





Then the party started again, with the adults exchanging gifts. We choose names each year. But I think that this year, Jamie's idea for Joe took the cake. See below.







Jamie got Joe a nose-shaped shower gel dispenser. Nice.

Rob and Sara gave Max this great train puzzle that blows its horn if you get all of the pieces.



After church, Max went back to grilling.



And here is a picture of me and my mom that I'm adding because we're cute.


Merry Christmas, again.

One more coming!

Christmas II: Borchardtorama

Part one of our journey took us to Lawrence, KS, the home of Paul's parents, Ron and Pam.

While Paul finished up work before the holidays, Pam and I tried to help Max bake his first batch of Christmas cookies. Of course, he sported the adorable apron that Kelly got him (I have a matching one). We made it through a batch or so before the boy moved on to other things...





After Paul and Ron came home, the present opening began.
Appetizer: Hot Wheels, Trucks, Whistle


Main Course 1: Bean Bag Chair

Side Course: Daddy's needs.

Vegetables: Clothes that you always get but only on the way to more toys.

Enjoying all the gifts at once, including the Boston Patriot hat from Rob and Sara.


After a yummy-delicious dinner of cranberry chicken, we gave Max a bath and let him open a few more surprises.
From the Bostonians - a Percy!

How many Borchardt men does it take to open the box??


Loot!

Little People...

After Max went to bed, the real party began.

After a good night's sleep, we awoke to a breakfast of fresh fruit and a tasty Christmas Tree pastry from Munchers. And bacon. Lots of bacon. Yummm.

Dessert: Kelly and Phil gave Max more Thomas the Train gear. We had to save it for the morning after, otherwise, the kid would have never slept.


Daddy and Max putting things together.

Grandpa and Max having a final discussion on the merits of Little People construction equipment.

And some carols before leaving for Wichita.
We wish you a Merry Christmas, we wish you a Merry Christmas...