Christmas Picture Comparison

As I was going through pictures, I got a kick out of how much Wade has changed (both in personality and look) in one year. So I've posted some Christmas 2008 vs. 2009 pictures for fun. Enjoy!

Santa and Elves 20082009 (impossible to get all 3 to sit still!)

Pool at the Greenbrier 2008

2009 - still loves the water!

Reuter cousins 2008

2009 - add Colt to the picture...subtract Wade (throwing a hissy fit)!! We'll have another one to add next year too :)
2008 Benich family Christmas Eve

2009 - I didn't realize we each have Christmas Eve uniform colors. Beau wears a blue shirt, I wear a black dress, and Wade in red!

The Greenbrier

The day after Christmas we took off for the Greenbrier in West Virginia with Beau's parents and grandparents. Going to the Greenbrier is a Benich family Christmas tradition and Beau's favorite way to spend Christmas. We hadn't planned on going this year, but it has been revitalized with new ownership. I think Beau was just so excited to see all the improvements that we made last minute plans. We greatly missed Nicci and her family on this trip. It wasn't the same without them! But it was fun to add Diane's parents Ernie and Rosie!!

There was plenty of snow waiting for us, plus an inch or two while we were there. Wade walked around saying "snow!" the entire time. It was fun to give him a White Christmas (a few days late). He did end up getting my cold that turned into an ear infection while we were there. It put a damper on his spirits, but he tried hard to rally! I had a hard time keeping up with pictures on this trip, but oh well. I did the best I could pregnant, in 18 degree weather, with a cold, with a toddler with a nasty cold not sleeping. Forgive me :)

Wade and Beau stylin' in their tuxes...

You should be used to seeing these type of pictures of Wade by now...Even the train didn't help

Excited to be out in the snow...

Saying hi to the horseys...

In crowded public areas, Wade will reach up for your hand to make sure you stay with him. It's so sweet when he does it to you, but even sweeter when you see him to it to his Dede in front of you...

We spent plenty of time on kid friendly activities for Wade. He really liked bowling! HA!

And even made it to the pins with a little help...

Look at that face!!! He's watching it roll down to the pins

Don't forget about the arcade. I don't know who had more fun, Wade or Beau

And some air hockey...

They have a row of shops in the resort, and the children's shop had a train table. Whenever we walked by, we had to plan in extra time for train play. After 3 days, we felt guilty for abusing their trains...so we bought a wooden Thomas toy so they wouldn't hate us :)

Ernie and Rosie were such troopers on the trip!

Without a stroller we had to use Poppa as our pack mule!

We were excited to get Wade out in the snow. We had all the gear, some cardboard for a sled, plenty of snow and the perfect hill. But Wade had a different idea. It was pretty cold and he was not having it. We did find out later that day he had the ear infection, so you can't blame him for not wanting to be out in the cold!!!

Grandpa Ernie made Wade's day playing trains!!!

One of the activities was a kid's music/dance class. Wade made some new friends and ran around like a maniac...

Thanks Benich family for an awesome Christmas vacation!!!

Christmas Day!

Our Christmas was perfect. I was so happy to have my little family together, to enjoy being with one another, and getting to celebrate with our entire family too! We did miss seeing the Nicci & crew in Charleston this year :( We are so blessed every single day of the year, but especially on Christmas when we can really appreciate the gifts God has given us. I'm constantly in AWE.

After a few late nights in a row, Wade slept in on Christmas morning and we surely weren't going to wake him! So we had a late start getting moving, but it really didn't matter because there was only ONE important gift that really got OPENED....Wade's train table. After that, we could've put the rest of Santa's gifts away for his birthday (oh wait...we did do that...too bad I'll have to change the wrapping paper...Santa won't mind). We knew he'd love his new train toys, we just had no idea how much. As soon as he came downstairs, he saw his table and played with it nonstop until we had to DRAG him away to Nonna and G.G. house for more presents. I love seeing him so interested and excited about something!

"Not a creature was stirring"...the calm before the storm

"Wait a second, what is this huge table wrapped in paper doing next to the tree???"
We quickly moved onto presents for the dogs and ourselves when we realized Wade wasn't going to take his eyes off the tableWe quickly moved onto presents for the dogs and ourselves when we realized Wade wasn't going to take his eyes off the table

CHOO CHOO!!! He's getting really good with all his sound effects.

He even says "TIME TUNNEL" whenever a train goes through a tunnel (that's from PBS's Dinosaur Train). Every tunnel is a time tunnel.

Cali got a stocking full of pink toys!

Orwell had one with blue toys, but it didn't make it in the picture

The aftermath (Wade still hadn't taken his eyes off the train table)

We headed to Nonna and G.G.'s for brunch where we got to play with Caleb & Cae's new Wii. Wade actual understood the steering and driving concept on this game. I think we'll wait just a few more years before we venture into Wii world though...

Lauren found a new buddy. Sweet Orwell

Nonna, Wyatt, & Colt (on his first Christmas!!)

Wyatt got to shoot Nathan in the tushy because Nathan had shot at him...

Big boy Caleb gets a microscope!

Nonna & G.G. got a beautiful platter with all the grandkids on it (even baby Benich!) from Nathan & Michelle

Wade's big gift was a GeoTrax train. Can you guess if he liked it??

"Lauren, I like you and all. But if you'd like to keep your fingers I suggest you step away from the train"

After heading home for a much needed nap, we had a wonderful Christmas dinner at our house with Beau's parents Poppa & Dede. I must've been so busy I didn't take one picture! Forgive me!

Merry Christmas everyone!