My First Christmas - Dec. 25, 2007

What an exciting day today turned out to be! Mommy and Daddy always seemed to be talking about this thing called Christmas. I don't quite understand it all yet, but from what I gather, it involves Santa Claus, reindeer, a tree, and presents. I'm anxious to see what it's all about.

As soon as I woke up, Mommy and Daddy put my sweatshirt on and took me outside. They said we had to check to make sure the reindeer had flown Santa to our house. They kept telling me to look for a silver bell. This bell would be a sure sign that Santa had stopped by!

Sure enough, after a few minutes of lookins, guess what we found?
Hey, when you shake this bell, it makes a bunch of noise! BONUS!!


Once we got inside, I had to examine my Christmas bell a little more.

Okay, enough time has gone by---Let's get to the presents!

I opened my stocking first. There were so many cool things inside! Check out these rubber duckies. They glow when they're in the tub. I can't wait to see them swim!

Awesome! Look what else is in my stocking---Sesame Street Books!!

That show is my favorite. Elmo and Cookie Monster are the best!

Look at this!

My new car lights up and sings songs. Do bears have driver's licenses?

Yummy! This dump truck sticker tastes delicious!


This new book is so awesome! It's all about a big truck that can dig huge holes.

No way!!! It's Curious George! What a cool dude!

Mommy and Daddy told me that this George can blow bubbles. I can't wait to see this!

George is sooooo cool! : )


Okay--it's Daddy's turn!

Looks like he's pretty surprised by the gift Mommy gave him.

Grandmom and PopPop are coming over for breakfast. Doesn't the table--and the tree--look pretty? I can't wait to taste whatever Daddy is whipping up. He's a great cook!

Here's my very first Christmas tree. I love to watch the lights.

Hooray! PopPop is here and he brought me some juice--JACKPOT!

Okay, all of this morning's excitement is starting to take it's toll. I need a nap.

Out like a light!

I think my bib says it all....

Check out these cool pillows that Grandmom had made for Daddy!

GO BRONCOS!

Isn't this an awesome picture of my kitty cats, Chic and Abagail?

They just found out that there were treats in their stockings.


Chic decided to disguise herself as a present!

Isn't she pretty?

Here's Abby. She likes to hang out by the window so she has a good view of everything that's going on.

Okay---I'm awake and refreshed!! Time for some more presents!!

Check out my new drum set!

I better do a taste test.

Here's 2 of my favorite people! They are each holding a Willow Tree figurine that my Daddy gave them.

Here's Daddy and PopPop--the Ryobi twins!

(Mommy and Grandmom think alike I guess!)

Here's a special scrapbook that Mommy made for Grandmom and PopPop. It's called

"Highlights of my First Year". Guess who it's about??! : )

I LOVE Matchbox Cars. Daddy and I like to talk about cars a lot.

I'm trying to decide which one is my favorite.

CHOO CHOO!!!

Here I am giving my kitty cat some lovin'!

Hey---Look who showed up! My Great Grandparents!!!

I love them very much.

Who needs to open more presents? I'd rather use them for a train platform.
A BIG CHRISTMAS SMILE!!

Before it was time for me to get to bed, we all headed over to Uncle Al and Aunt Anne's house for some snacks. Here's me with the boys!

What an amazing first Christmas!!!! I can't wait until next year!

Christmas Eve Breakfast - Dec, 24, 2007

This morning was a very special morning. I got to meet up with my PopPop, Grandmom, my uncles, and some of my cousins for the "Simpkins Annual Christmas Eve Breakfast" at the diner.

As soon as I sat down, I grabbed my spoon and was ready to dig in! Where's the beef?? : ) Check PopPop out! He showed up to breakfast all dressed up in his tuxedo! I hope I am as handsome as him when I grow up. He's one dapper dude! Grandmom sure is a lucky lady!

Here's me with 2 of my favorite people. I was still on the look out for more pancakes or something.

Here's me with our really great waitress.
You gotta give me credit for knowing exactly who to flirt with!

I love my Daddy!

Here's my Uncle Brian and my Cousin Noel. I'm not the only one in the family with beautiful baby blues!

Here's my crazy Uncle Albert with my Cousins Amanda and Aaron. Looks like they might have been on Santa's naughty list?!

Here's Amanda and Aaron again---this time without the headlock!

Amanda always gives me good lovin'!

Just me and my PopPop! : )


Check it out--my name is right on my butt! Pretty cool, huh?

PopPop is telling me a secret....Shhhhh!

After a long nap and some more food, it was time to get ready for the Christmas Eve service at Pretty Great Grandmom and Great Handsome Pop's church.

Aunt Betty came over so she could go with us.

She brought me an early Christmas present!

I wonder what it is???

AWESOME!!! It's something with wheels! VROOM VROOM!

Hooray! It's time to hang out with my Pretty Great Granny!

Hey--there's my Great Pop, too! I love them both very much!

I can't wait until tomorrow when Santa Claus gets here!!!!

My First Real Boo Boo - Dec. 23, 2007

Today was not really a good day. Somehow or another I cut my pinky wide open while I was playing. No matter what Mommy and Daddy did, they couldn't get my pinky to stop bleeding. They rushed me off to this place called the "Emergency Room." There was so much going on there. All of the nurses were very nice and they took good care of me. I had to get 2 stitches. It was pretty scary, but Mommy and Daddy were right there with me so I felt okay.

The Dr. said I was a good boy.

The day was filled with so much commition. Once we got home, I fell sound asleep in my Daddy's arms. If you look closely, you can see my bandage.

Awwwwww......

Eckenroth Christmas Party - December 16, 2007

Guess what? Daddy went out and got our Christmas tree today. He asked me to check on the lights to make sure they were all working.

So far, so good!

We'll have to wait until later to put the lights on the tree. It's time to get ready for the Eckenroth's Christmas Party. Check me out!! We just got to the party a little while ago and I've already got a girlfriend!

Pete--don't hide just yet! You'll miss Santa!!

It was fun to watch the guys play this cool game. I can't wait until I'm tall enough to reach!

HOLY COW!!! Look who it is!!!
SANTA HAS ARRIVED!!!!!!!
This is very exciting!!


Last time I saw him, he was sitting down. He seems MUCH BIGGER when he's standing up!!
He's carrying a huge sack of presents. I wonder what he brought for me?

Okay, Santa has started calling boys and girls up to him so he can hand them their presents.
Mommy took lots of pictures of the fun!

Petey looks pretty happy to be hanging out with Santa.

Hmmm...Santa looks a little bit "shifty" in this picture.

I can't blame this dude for looking a little leary of the whole thing!

Yup...still shifty! he he he

Wow! Now that's an unhappy camper!

Do you think Santa pinched her?!?! Nah.....he wouldn't dare!!

Finally....a HAPPY face!Santa sure likes to talk.

Check out all the talking he does in these next couple of pictures.

Emma looks pleased with her present!

Amanda and Santa share a moment.

Looks like Jessica is giving Santa a good "talking to". Think she takes after her Mommy maybe just a little bit?? : )

Finally!! It's my turn to hang out with THE MAN!

Of course I had to tell him a little bit about trucks.

I wonder what's inside. I hope it's something with wheels!!!

Alright Santa---before I open my present, let me just tell you a few more

things about this truck!

Santa looks like he might be out of presents. I hope for this boy's sake that isn't true!!

Okay...time to open this bad boy up!

In the meatime, you can check out more pictures of Santa.

Here's the whole crew.

Santa took a few minutes to say goodbye.

Check out this red-eyed bunch!

(Please note, red eyes or not, I am on a couch FILLED with chicks!!)

Hmmmm...these 2 make a fine looking couple!

Okay--I finally got my present unwrapped. Santa brought me a shiny, red fire truck!!

Emma and Amanda striking a pose.

Here's me with Daddy, Uncle George, Uncle Bill, and Uncle Jim.

We sure are a fine lookin' bunch!

You know whenever Mommy gets together with her girlfriends there's bound to be

shananigans! Here's proof!!!

All the ladies were poking some fun at pregnant Aunt Cherie by stuffing their bellies to look just like her!

Aunt Cindy sure is having a good laugh! Funny thing is, in just a few short months, she'll have a REAL big 'ol pregnant belly to show off herself!!
Check out little Miss Jessica watching all these crazy ladies in complete disbelief.

Hopefully she is not scarred for life!

What a great time!!!!!

I can't wait until next year!

Early Christmas Present - December 10, 2007

Today was my lucky day! I got some early Christmas presents all the way from South Carolina!

My Uncle Bob, Aunt Anna, and Abby (she's my girlfriend..Shhhh..don't tell) really know how to spoil me!

Check out my cool stuff!

I got a whole bunch of Tonka trucks.

Trucks are my favorite!!!!!! I also got some sports balls. They're just my size!!
Here's me making my ever popular VROOM VROOM face! I'm telling you--I just can't get enough of things with wheels!!
If you look to the right side of the picture, you can see my cool new Tigger baseball jersey. I can't wait to try it on!


Hmm....sports or trucks?!?! This is too hard!

Let me do a quick taste test!
Okay...trucks win!!

Or do they?!?!!?!?


Oh heck---all of my presents make me SMILE!!
I love everything!!

I must admit...the trucks taste better!!Thank you Uncle Bob, Aunt Anna, and Abby!!!!!

Merry Christmas!

December 9, 2007

I am really loving Christmastime!

Tonight, I got to hang out with Grandmom, PopPop, my aunts, uncles, and cousins. There was lots of food. Yummy! I enjoyed checking out the decorations.
Ahhhhh, my beloved Cheerios! They are by far my favorite snack.
I just can't get enough!
Do you think Grandmom is waiting for me to share some with her??
Hmmmm......she could be in for a long wait!!!! he he he

Busy Evening - December 8, 2007

I've had a busy evening.

I made a very cool discovery---POTS AND PANS! They're right in here. Check it out!
Wait...let me take a peek and make sure they're still in there!


Yup...they sure are!
Hey--I think I hear Daddy calling me. I better go see what he wants.

AWESOME! He wants to teach me how to play Ms. Pacman!

Now, even though I haven't been around long, I've been here long enough to know that Mommy is the Ms. Pacman champ in our household.

I think Daddy wants to start practicing secretly so he can eventually beat her--and he's trying to get me to help him!


Hey Mommy---those are Daddy's hands on the controller, not mine! I'm just here to watch the ghosts get gobbled!

(Do you think she'll buy that?)

Meeting Santa - December 4, 2007

Well, the day has arrived. Today I get to meet the big guy--you know, the jolly one with the white beard and the red suit. Today, I finally get to meet Santa!

Mommy took me to the Deptford Mall. We met Grandmom and PopPop there.

Check out this beautiful Christmas tree. Here are some furry friends I ran into while we waited in line.
Uh-oh....we're getting close. I'm getting nervous!
Good thing PopPop is here to help calm my nerves.
I think I just caught a glimpse of Santa!


Okay--it's official--I'm nervous!
I'm glad Mommy is here. She doesn't seem nervous about this at all. Why am I the only one here with butterflies??I better check the tread on these tires while I wait. I have to make sure everything is in perfect working order in case I need to make a quick get-a-way!
Alright, PopPop--give me one more pep talk and remind me that this isn't going to be scary at all!Check out this cool character! I know he was put here to take my mind off of meeting Santa. Guess what? It's not working!

Mommy is still smilin', and I'm still not sure I want to go through with this!

Guess what?!?! It's all over! I did it! I met Santa!! He seemed like a pretty cool dude, but I have to admit, I'm glad it's over!
(Mommy wasn't allowed to take pictures of Santa. He's pretty strict about that sort of thing.)

After the day I've had, I need a drink!

Mommy and I went to Friendly's with Grandmom and PopPop after my picture with Santa. Check out my cool hairdo!

Once Mommy and I got home, I found myself in the Christmas spirit.

I think I could give Santa a run for his money. What do you think?

This is my VROOM VROOM face that I make when

I'm imitating the noises my cars and trucks make!

Check out my choppers!!
What an exciting day! : )