I had NO idea how hard it would be to pick one favorite picture from each month. Some months I knew which picture I wanted to us before I even looked. But then I would see another picture that I really really liked- for July I knew I wanted to use the one of Aiden with Mickey but then I looked at the one of Aiden and Duc and LOVED that one too. It was really hard to narrow it down. So I didn't- but I did keep it to two!
It was a great 2009 and I have SO many pictures documenting many moments. Lots of firsts with Aiden. Family gatherings and outings with friends. Looking through the pictures I realized how many bloggy friends we met up with during 2009. I could do a post just on that- seeing our friends Duc, Noah, Zoe, Chloe, Collin (and their parents too!) at various gatherings....meeting Stephen Paul, Hannah Claire, Ben, Petunia, Ellie, Ellie, Boo, Annslee, Coby (and their parents too)...seeing Parker again and reuniting with Aiden's first friend Sofie (and Cooper of course)...so so many great memories with friends. Looking forward to even more memorable moments in 2010. Happy New Year everyone!!!
January
February
March 
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
Aiden has perfected his stink eye...
We started Christmas eve by heading over to our special friends' (chosen family, really) house so Aiden and Stephanie could exchange gifts. Aiden got a cool truck and ramp set and an old hat of Steph's.
We met my parents at church. No pictures, but I wanted to share the picture Aiden made at church last week. He definitely put his own spin on the manger scene!
And another picture, not taken at church: a nativity set I received this year that was made in Vietnam. I love it! It may stay up all year next to the bowl I have out that is also made from recycled Vietnamese magazines and newspapers just like this set was.
Vietnam was on my mind a lot during the Christmas eve service. I am grateful to the country for blessing me with a child. I also kept thinking of Aiden's Vietnam mom. I couldn't stop thinking about the loss she must feel. Her loss resulted in my greatest gift. I wish I knew her name. I wish I could tell her how happy Aiden makes so many people, how funny he is. She holds a special place in my heart. Sitting in the service, I felt incredibly blessed and grateful to be given the privilege of raising this special boy. Of course, I feel that everyday, but on Christmas eve, the feelings bubbled to the surface even more.
Our family has a tradition of pizza and gifts with my mom's side of the family each Christmas eve. My family is very small, but we always have a good time and make great memories. Unfortunately there were no family pictures- my cousin was not feeling well (she tried her hardest to tough it out on the couch) so we cut the party short. 
And while we did cut the gathering short, it was close to 10:00 when Aiden opened his Christmas eve pjs (another family tradition), hung his stocking and read Twas the Night Before Christmas. 
There's "the look" again.
I wanted Aiden to wake up at our house on Christmas morning so we headed home. Of course he fell asleep in the car, woke up as soon as we got home and ended being up until midnight. I was getting worried that Santa would skip our house (or fall asleep right alongside Aiden) but have no fear...Santa was here!
I got up around 8, hoping that Aiden would stay fast asleep in my bed while I got ready. No such luck. I was in the bathroom and sneezed. I heard a little "achoo" on the other side of the door and Aiden greeted me with a smile. We headed downstairs to open presents.
And then headed out the door to open even more presents at my parents' house!
Once again, Aiden enjoyed giving out presents. Especially to Gram and Papa!
Kody was not impressed... 
After a quick nap for Aiden, we got ready for our Christmas meal with Auntie Kelly, Collin and Chloe. Aiden wasn't thrilled with more pictures!
More present opening and giving!
We got home in the early evening and Aiden finally checked out his stocking and was thrilled with the candy inside!
And finally, the day after Christmas, Aiden opened one more present- play*doh!
Another life lesson learned- don't eat the play*doh!
I would definitely say this was my best Christmas yet. I am blessed with Aiden. I enjoyed experiencing Christmas through my son's eyes. And while we don't have a big family, we are blessed to have so many special people to share our lives with.
