Christmas in Miami 2015

Jude brought the JOY to Christmas this year. After his obsession with Sinterklaas, we geared him up for the joyous celebrations involving Sint's fat, jolly, American brother, Santa, and baby Jesus. Jude was all in, "ho-ho-ho"ing and singing happy birthday to the baby Jesus' in my parents' nativity sets. 

We arrived on the 23rd and found out that was the last possible day to get a photo with Santa at Santa Land in my parent's neighborhood. So we dressed Jude up in his Christmas summer finest, complete with knee highs from his Nonnie (the same brand worn by Prince George apparently ;) and set off to meet the big man. 

Someone was a little happy to see Jude.

Santa Land is an exact replica of the North Pole. Sand and all :)

Santa has been spotted! 

Jude was so comfortable around Santa, not wanting to leave his lap. Nana trained Jude to tell Santa that he wanted a baby sister for Christmas. Santa was skeptical and suggested that maybe he would like a truck instead.

The birthday hat is for the Baby Jesus birthday celebrations of course. 

On Christmas Eve, we went to my parents' church for their 5:30 Children's Service.

Jude is one squirmy boy! 

We knew that Jude would love seeing all of the kids, love listening to the music and love participating when possible. We weren't prepared for how much participation he would do :) The following is the absolute highlight of Christmas and possibly of all Christmases to date!

Jude was all in for the children's sing-a-long, rocking it out with the tambourine. He then wanted to stay up in the front with the other kids for the rest of the service. Pete stayed up with him, while I sat with my parents in the back pew. 

The children's choir got up for their performance of songs and readings. Jude watched from a distance for a while, but decided that a large group of older kids singing was just too enticing to sit back and watch. After he crawled on stage, Pete swooped in to remove him, after seeing another mom do the same. 

Jude was not happy about being removed and as the pastor had started the service reminding everyone that this was about the kids and not to shush or scold children and to let them run around, Pete decided to let Jude join in. Jude sat, stood, danced and followed along for the next 10 minutes on the risers, stealing the show while I cried from laughter in the back. He was pretty good for not rehearsing. He was upset though to not get a speaking part and tried to approach the microphone anyway. At one point, one of his shoes fell off and he pleaded to Pete, "shoe!" so Pete crawled on stage, replaced his shoe and then let him stay. If you aren't satisfied with my attempt at a play-by-play of Jude's heartwarming performance, feel free to watch this link starting around minute 32. The church tapes their services and puts them on Youtube. I took some amateur videos of the scene, but am really happy to have it documented for all time :) 

On Christmas morning, Jude was all about the presents and all were "mine" and "me, me, me."

His very own Peppa doll that talks about hugs when you hug her. 

The day after Christmas, aunt Leslie, uncle Andy and cousin Peyton arrived for a short visit. Peyton and Jude were very cute playing together. Jude was most interested in taking all of Peyton's toys and Peyton was most interested in using Jude to stand herself up.

Pops included Jude in the much anticipated Chex Mix making, sharing the secret family ingredient. Yum!

D. Family Christmastime in Chapel Hill

Our bags loaded with presents, we were off on Jude's 31st flight headed back to the States to spend Christmas with our families. We had a layover at London Heathrow, where the 3 hours passed in a flash going through the extensive security (thank you London for looking out for the US!) and then playing in the sweet indoor playground for families. 

We employed our new favorite airline travel tip (well for the next 4 months anyway) and split ourselves up in the plane, taking shifts playing with Jude and resting. The flight attendants were impressed with our setup and spread the word to share the tip with other families. 

Pete took Jude for a really long stretch in the middle of the flight and kept him happily entertained :) 

8 1/2 hour later we were in Raleigh, NC greeted by Oma and Opa and whisked off to Uncle Matt and Aunt Krista's house. We spent the first few days home adjusting to jet lag, finishing Christmas preparations and spending time together. 

Shameless advertising- If you are in Chicago, go to Pete's uncle's restaurant in Libertyville :)

Jude was so excited about the backyard and "Outside!" Poor, neglected city-living child. 

On Saturday, friends Tom, Girija and Esha came over for dinner. Born just two weeks apart, it has been fun to see them grow up together. 

Yummy Thanksgiving feast of turkey and all the fixings. 

Hosts with the most.

On Sunday, we celebrated our early Christmas as we would be spending the actual day down in Florida with Nana and Pops. Jude was up early thanks to jet lag and was so excited to see all of the presents under the tree. It was a bit challenging to distract him until a reasonable hour for others to wake! He started to "help" unwrap a few while waiting. 

Happy Oma.

Hugs for baby Addy.

Uncle Matt teaching fire safety.

Helping Opa feed George his treats.

Jude was definitely into presents this year. Mostly opening them, but also modeling them. 

All ready for school!

Pete asked for matching PJs with Jude. I made Jude's from the sleeves of the matching button down PJ shirt that came with the pants for Pete. 

Anything Peppa Pig related was a big hit this Christmas! Enjoying his new book with Opa and Oma. 

Trying out his new piggy back board with our stroller. Preparing for walks with baby sister in a few months!

New hat. 

On Monday, we got spiffed up and took family photos as a belated 40th wedding anniversary gift for Opa and Oma. Addy kills me in that dress! So stinking cute!

All dressed up, had to have somewhere to go, so we walked through Chapel Hill and chowed on some yummy burgers and shakes. We REALLY miss good burgers in the Netherlands. Dutch hamburgers are the consistency of sausage patties and just don't cut it. 

Monday night was a real treat. Opa and Oma babysat and we had a parents' night out. We met up with Tom and Girija who had arranged a private tour of Ponysaurus, a new brewery in Durham. Friend Gia was home for the holidays and joined us with bro Britton. So nice to see some friends on this trip home! Afterwards, we all went for Ramen in downtown Durham and had fun catching up. 

Tuesday, a babysitter came over to watch the kiddos while all of the adults saw the new Star Wars! Then is was more neighborhood walks, playtime with cousin Addy and all around good family time. 

Can't wait to see this happy girl again! Her personality has changed so much since we fist met her. Hard to imagine the changes until the next visit!