Wild thing!

Everyone is familiar, especially due to this year's movie, with the main character, Max, of Where the Wild Things Are. This has been a favorite children's book of mine and Jason's growing up. We even have the book framed (along with other favorites) in Emerson's room.

One of our Christmas traditions includes receiving new jammas on Christmas Eve. This year, Emerson got "Max" pajamas. He loved them! They were super soft and snuggly, and very warm! He even loved the hood. When it came down, he'd back up into someone's lap so they could pull his hood back up.

As soon as he had these jammas on, he became Max! Although Emerson is crazy ornery most days, he turned into a true wild thing! He ran from room to room, and quickly pounced on his wrestling buddy, Kramer the cat. I think the below picture says it all.

Look at those fists. Look at that stance. Look at that face.

December 26 - Harper and the extended Linebergers

The day after Christmas, we have a tradition of heading to Lancaster to spend time with our niece, Harper, and the extended Lineberger family. What a household! We had all the Grandparents (Fox and Lineberger), Great Aunties Laura and Beth, and Great Great Aunt Norma, along with Jess, Jared, Mia, Poppy and us. Harper came over for a few hours, so in addition to the gift-giving, she and Emerson had some time to play.

We had a fun time with the kids, a gift exchange with the adults, and lots of yummy desserts and drinks!

Again, Emerson ranked in the low 20s on the ornery scale. Good Lord. This child needs to get back into routine. He's wearing us out!!!

Emerson, enjoying a mellow moment with Uncle Jared before the mayhem.

Emerson and his Poppy, playing with the hotwheels
I captured a few pictures like this...sweet Harper looking up at her Dad.

Melt.

A puppet show by Poppy. I think they enjoyed it???

Emerson was on hand and very quick to "please, please, please" after Harper opened a gift. Thank goodness Harper shares so well!

What a face! She's curled up with her Dad here...

She's such a button. Love this girl!

Three out of four smiling...not bad.

We had a visit from SANTA! Emerson got close enough only to grab toys.

A couple of attempts at a family pic with Santa...hopefully someone else got a good one!

Emerson saying goodbye to his cousin. This wave followed a sweet little kiss.

Christmas Morning

Christmas Morning! We all woke up around 7:30 (SCORE!), and headed downstairs for coffee. I hope we can enjoy the late wake-up for a few more years! That's Emerson's typical wake up time, but it's hard to know what to expect with the crazy holiday schedules. Emerson quickly got excited for opening packages and got through quite a few on round 1. We had to take a break for breakfast!

Emerson opening a few gifts...

Sitting with Uncle Jared and operating the video camera. Quality footage I am sure!
This face epitomizes Emerson over the last few days. Ornery. Actually, that's an understatement. On an ornery scale of 1 to 10, Emerson was a 22.

Opening something fun from Uncle Jared!

(gotta love the superman themed paper)

Jason opening his new Yankees stained glass lamp

Drawing with Uncle Jared on his new sketcher

...and of course wearing his new bomber jacket! Emerson is enjoying the digital frame he got Mia and Poppy

...and especially enjoying the pictures of HIM!

Emerson got so many great things from everyone, but this truck was far and away his favorite toy of the morning. From his Daddy.

While the pictures focus on the things, I can't express enough how important the time we got to spend with our families over the last week has been. We all live hurried lives, and Christmas was exactly what we needed...to slow down and enjoy each other.

Christmas Eve

We had SUCH a GREAT Christmas! We celebrated with the Zielinski side of the family the weekend before, and were home on Christmas eve and Christmas day with the Lineberger side of the family. There was lots of baking and cooking to prepare for guests - Auntie Jess, Uncle Jared, Mia and Poppy! We stayed in and watched movies and ate all of our favorite foods. We opened a few gifts, had some wine, and enjoyed the night together!

Emerson helping in the kitchen, and sporting his new slippers

from Auntie Terra and Uncle Andrew.

Relaxing and watching Christmas movies.

(Note the matching sweaters...complete coincidence!)Emerson with his Mom and Mia.

Hanging with his Poppy.

Opening the traditional Christmas Eve jammas! Following the EXTENSIVE practice he got in Toledo, Emerson really got into opening packages!

What a cute little "Max" you are! Now off to bed!

Emerson the architect

Although Emerson started a little unsure of this project, he quickly figured out what to do!

Carefully selecting pieces...

Working on his masterpiece.

I had to rotate the house, as it was getting a little lopsided with decorations!

Didn't take long for him to figure this out!

Now...how to get these from the sticky fingers to the house...hmmmm.

World of Emerson

I was playing around on this cool website, wordle.net and created what you see above. Just a few of the many special people in Emerson's life.

Toledo Christmas - Part 2

We try to plan our Christmas trip to Toledo around the extended Z gathering. The last couple of years it has been perfect the weekend before Christmas! Allows us to be a part of everything up there, but still be home for Christmas!

So, are we ready, or what???

It was a long weekend...
All of the Z great-grandchildren. Emerson's second cousin, Austin (front, red sweater-vest) is just a few months older than Emerson. It was fun to watch them together!

All of the Z grandchildren...

All of the Z children! (Emerson's Dzia Dzia is far right in the pic)

Toledo Christmas - Part 1

We had a great weekend in Toledo! We celebrate the weekend before, and get lots of fun time with Aunt Mel and family, Gma and Gpa Z, Great Gma and Great Gpa Z, and all of the extended Zielinskis.

Friday night when we got in, we had pizza and play time at Ted and Mary's. Then Saturday morning we headed down to Melissa and Gary's for brunch and to exchange gifts. Emerson loves spending time with his big cousins!

The kid table

Trying for a kid picture...apparently Emerson is having a tea party.
Emerson was not as interested in OPENING gifts, but once they were out, he wanted them out of the packaging so he could play with them...STAT!

Waiting patiently while Aunt Mel assembles the front end loader...

Fridge letters...already a hit at our house!

Pretty little chefs...

Better luck this time around with the kid pic!