Christmas Eve

Santa came and munched on some cookies....

Enjoying some milk before night-night.

Twas the night before Christmas....

Pictures after the Christmas Eve service.

Checking out the tree.

Fun with Gentry...

It's that time...Christmas time is here!!!

If anyone knows the Messmer family, you know that it is a Christmas tradition to watch "Christmas Vacation" as least a billion times during the holiday season. This is a tradition I was happy to adopt when I married into this family, and even before. I mean, you have to love watching the humorious frustration that Clark goes through in just trying to provide a memorable holiday for his family. From the clumsy falls and predicaments he gets himself into....

.......to annoying the ultra-conservative neighbors......

......to chasing down squirrels in the Christmas tree.

.....you never know what is around the corner for dear ol' Clark.

Last night, we were at the mall doing a little Christmas shopping, when we received a text from Robby's cousin Brandon. The text explained that he was watching Christmas Vacation with his family - - - as should be.....it's Christmas for goodness sake. But in watching the introduction of the movie, the santa cartoon shows a naughty and nice list, going through the "G's"....and "GENTRY" was on the list. Can you believe it???? Robby and I have watched that movie time and time again and never noticed that? So we rushed home, got Gentry to bed and put in the movie to verify this for ourselves. It was true!

So now, Robby is stating that Gentry is famous and in the movie - Christmas Vacation. I don't know if I would go that far????, but it is definitely cool! =)

Enjoy your holiday season!

Another Great Trip to the Newport Aquarium

Last year about this time, we took Gentry to the Newport Aquarium for the first time. Here we are a whole year later - back at the Aquarium. It was definitely a different experience....but just as much fun!!!!!

Gentry playing frogger...

heading into the frog pod

Checking out the fish...

Posing with Mommy

Heading up to meet Scuba Santa

Watching Scuba Santa tell a story

Gentry excited to see Scuba Santa

Wow - a bunch of fish

Traditional picture outside by the tree on the Levee

Look Daddy - a shark!

12-13-10 - Family Birthday Gathering

On December 13, 2010, we gathered with the Grandparents to celebrate Gentry's birthday with a little pizza and cake. Gentry opened a few more presents....

We are so blessed to be surrounded by such great family and friends with such an awesome time of year.

Gentry enjoying his cupcake
Make a wish!!!

Finished opening presents

Gentry loved his birthday card from Aunt Julie - it played "Hot Dog" - one of Gentry's favorites

Opening presents

....more presents....

Eating prizza

Playing with Nana in the balloons

Cheese - and - thank you for a great birthday!!!!

....more basketball pics

Playing basketball

Twirling with Mommy

Bye-bye Popaw

Gentry enjoyed another great visit with Popaw during the Thanksgiving weekend. Popaw will be back at Christmas - - -and we can't wait!!!!!

Bye-bye Popaw - see you soon!

Gentry is 2

2 years old ago, on December 13, 2008....our lives' were changed forever....at 8:27pm on a Saturday night, Robert Gentry Messmer was born. Here we are - - 2 years later....running and chasing down our little man and loving every second.

On Saturday, Dec. 11, 2010, we had an Elmo-themed birthday party at Immanuel United Church from 2-4pm. We were blessed to be surrounded by family and friends. Gentry enjoyed a fun-filled party, with coloring on walls, watching Dorothy the goldfish swimming around, eating cake and ripping into gifts glore.

Cake was compliments of Fantasy in Frosting - Newport, Kentucky

Gentry enjoyed a cupcake.....he's not a big fan of sweets. Wonder how long that will last?

Everyone sang "happy birthday" - Gentry loved the attention. =)

Gentry was blessed to be spoiled by his friends and family....thank you everyone for the goodies!

Elmo's World (cartoon) has a fishy friend: Dorothy the Goldfish.....and so did Gentry's party

Homemade decorations for our little man.....

Just as in the Elmo's World cartoon - Elmo colors all over the walls.....we had our own little coloring area....topped off with pictures of Gentry throughout his second year. We used the pictures as adult party favors.

Dorothy the Goldfish - our surprise guest

"gonna ride a choo-choo"

I have been hearing about this train ride in Lebanon, Ohio on the L & M Railroad for quite a while. As a lot of you know, Gentry loves choo choo trains. It's kind of a little obsession for Gentry. So, Robby and I have been trying to decide if Gentry is old enough to enjoy it. Well, well, well, we finally took the plunge and took Gentry today, along with Grandma, Grandpa, Aunt Julie, and Great Aunt Judy. It was a 30 minute ride to Christmas village and 30 minutes back. Although, I use the phrase "christmas village" loosely. Christmas village was a tent where they served hot chocolate and little debbie cakes and a small storage building were Santa and Mrs. Claus awaited all the children. There were a few photo opts, but overall....disappointing. But trust me the look on Gentry's face when we boarded the train for the first time, was worth it all!!!! The other silver lining was a few elves whom made balloon animals and juggled. Gentry loved that. And lastly, Gentry got to climb up in the engine and sit in the drivers seat. So, to sum up - it was a success and another awesome "1st" for Gentry.