Christmas!

Christmas.

 Matey's stocking.

 You still have to make your bed on Christmas morning!

 This one is for him, he's almost sure of it.

 Ahh, booty.

 I asked him to open his EYES wide... well... they're open too I guess.

 Fruit snacks?! Thanks Grammy!

 Cookie monster counting?! Thanks auntBeki!

Wood Animal Puzzles!

 Cars stuff?! Thanks Grammy!

 Toy Story puzzles!

 And another one!

 Thomas!

 A number train puzzle!

 Another nother Toy Story puzzle!

 An airplane with nuts and bolts and a power screwdriver!

 An airplane board game!

 An animal train puzzle?! Thanks hteB!

(I know it's an 'alphabet' train but just try getting Matey to agree to that...)

Race cars with traks!

Matey got so many cool presents and had so much candy and fun food that it was a little bit like Berenstains Bears: Too Much Birthday. But we all survived and he loves all the presents. 

Thank you to everyone who helped make Matey's 3rd Christmas a happy time!

Presents from Daddy!

Matey was very confused about saying 'thank you' to thePirate because thePirate was not there and in the second one especially you can see him looking around for his daddy. He got a little upset that I kept telling him to say 'thanks' to a person who clearly was absent. Then he started to pick his nose...

 The pirate ship from thePirate required some assembly...

 ... or maybe...

LOTS of assembly...

 Finished! Grammy did a great job putting it together and uncleBrent helped with the rigging!

 It was by far Matey's favorite toy of the day.

So you win this time thePirate- but no worries, next time he'll like my gift more. 

(no i don't really feel compelled to compete for who gets Matey the "best" present. i'm happy that my boy got so much awesome stuff from lots of people who love him and i think it's great that he and his daddy have so much in common. i know thePirate is going to be itching to visit just so he can get a crack with Mateys new ship.)