Best On Record (Christmas 2011)

There was something very special in the air this Christmas. Maybe it was sparked by the fact that I took 11 straight days off work over the holidays - something I had never done in my 7 years at my current job (or any job, really). That alone was beyond fabulous. Warren didn't have to work either. It was as if the whole city decided to chill out, fully and completely.

Rhys got some amazing mommy and daddy time, packed full of visits with grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends. There was so much love around him. It melted my heart. The weather was warm so he even got to spend some time outside. He had a better understanding of Christmas, Santa and presents this year. He expanded his love of Classic Christmas Cartoons to include 'Frosty the Snowman' AND 'Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer'.

I think Rhys needed a break from the daily grind as much as we did, because he slept in until 8am or 8:30am nearly every day.

We took WAY LESS photos than past years, which disappoints me. But, I like to think it's because we were simply enjoying the moments too much to think about it.

Here are some of the (very few) photos I did take....

Rhys was being way too quiet - which is never a good thing - so I rushed to find him and see what he was up to... to catch him red-handed being mischievous. And this is what I found:

The adorable wooden kitchen that Santa brought him:

Hanging with 'The Big Kids' at the Prior's house, watching 'A Dolphin's Tale', which is a live-action, totally too-old for him movie. But because he idolizes big kids, he watched the whole thing! Warren and I got to sit and relax and visit with the grown-ups. Definitely a memory worth capturing on camera! (Warren - I know what you're thinking..."He's way too close to the TV!"):

Rhys sporting some Elton John style glasses, and his new Dinosaur jimjams (that he insisted on wearing for about 5 days in a row):

And these adorable pics of Rhys with his little girlfriend Taya, who wore her best booties and headband for the occasion:

Lastly, here is some video of Rhys discovering his Santa gift, along with some other highlights (warning - it is 'grandparent length', but every second is pure cuteness if you ask me!):

Link to full screen version here.