Merikurisumasu (Merry Christmas!)

Rowan must have known it was Christmas morning, because he woke up at 5:30am and didn't want to go back to sleep. Instead of sitting in bed frustrated that we weren't sleeping, we decided to make our way downstairs and see what Santa brought! Look at the joy on this child's face as we rounded the corner to reveal the toys!

I set him down at the bottom of the stairs and he crawled so quickly over to his pile of presents. It was so cute to see him so excited, even though I know he didn't really know what was going on.

We let him explore one toy at a time, and I was interested to see which toys caught his attention. This stacking toy is meant for kids 18+ months so I thought about keeping it for his birthday or something, but it ended up being his favorite! He obviously can't stack it in order, etc. but he loves to pull off the pieces one at a time and chew on them. The red ball that goes on top he enjoys chasing around as it rolls on the wooden floors.

Opening his stocking with the help of Grant. Looks like some yummy snacks in there!
I had my mom send 3 packs of Soothie pacifiers to put in his stocking because they were his favorite and they don't sell them here, but Rowan decided he didn't need a paci anymore and I wasn't going to force it on him. Self weaning from it at 6 months was quite all right with me (I think it will save me some pain at a later date...we'll see).

Classic stocking shots...

We are so grateful to be living over here at a time where communication is really quite easy. We were able to facetime with both families. Rowan opened his first presents while chatting with my family...he didn't do as good of a job as I thought he would, but with a little help had fun. He liked the tissue paper inside better than ripping the paper off the outside.

I realized this was the first Christmas I have ever spent away from family. We have always been with one of our families, and I really missed them! I'm so glad I have a wonderful little family here who I love to hang out with though :)

He really just loves anything he can stand up on right now...

In the afternoon, we got ready in our new Christmas clothes and headed down to the Finlaysons for dinner.

I bought place settings while I was home in California last month and I thought it turned out pretty cute! Brea panned a delicious meal of cheese fondue (which I was in charge of...we did a smoked gouda and swiss fondue), bacon wrapped steak, baked potatoes and grilled veggies, and then chocolate fondue for dessert. It was all amazing!

Grateful for great friends who help make us feel more at home.

And after dinner we did some intense present wrapping competition to work off all those calories. I did some good work but wasn't victorious in the end :(

And Rowan rounded out the holiday food season by tipping back the Martinelli's bottle. He was a good little guy even though his bowels decided to get active during the Christmas dinner prayer. He sat under the table grunting through the whole thing :) All these new foods are taking some getting used to, but he provided some during prayer laughter. Thanks Rowan.

Merry Christmas! We are so grateful for you, our family and friends. I am grateful for my knowledge of my Savior, Jesus Christ, and his perfect life and infinite atonement. I love my family and am so thankful to know I can be with them forever. Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good night!