Birth & One Year! Man, the difference a year makes when they're so tiny.

AND Dawson has FOUR teeth now! They popped up so quickly.

On 12/24/2010, we woke up at 6:30am, which is super early for Dawson (who wakes up at 10am)! We got dressed in our cute pajamas (Dawson in his special Buzz Lightyear jammies) and were off to Nana & Pop's house to celebrate Christmas with them. They always celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve. Once we got there, we opened presents. Dawson opened all of his first. They spoiled him so much. Justin got D a Buzz Lightyear quad; he was so excited and loved it! Nana & Pop's got me a cupcake cookbook, which I absolutely LOVE! I have actually been eying it for some time now. After the presents were all opened, we celebrated Dawson's birthday and opened his birthday gifts. Then we ate a delicious breakfast: yummy waffles, bacon, & eggs with Sunny D! This was actually my 4th Christmas Eve with Justin's family. Christmas Eve is extremely special to us. Proof:

Christmas Eve 2007: My first Christmas with Justin; the first time I met Deric & Shannon(Pops & Nana). Champ (who is now Dawson's FAVORITE teddy) was born/built at Build-a-bear.
Christmas Eve 2008: My first Christmas I was able to attend the traditional Hall family Christmas Eve party at Grandma & Grampsy's. I had so much fun with Grandma during White Elephant! Liam was born this year and Jared showed Austin a picture of Liam so he could see their similarities. Austin made a remark to Justin, "Hey Fuzz, you should have a kid! Maybe he'd look like me like Liam does Jared!"
Christmas Eve 2009: Dawson was born.
Christmas Eve 2010: Dawson's first birthday!

Anyway, shortly after breakfast, we left to go home, and they left to visit Grandma in the hospital. Once we arrived home, Dawson was knocked out! I changed him into some different pajamas and placed him in his crib, which he slept in for almost 3 hours! Dawson woke up and we headed to the store to pick up some last minute items. I baked some Christmas cupcakes for the Hall CE party, then Justin came and picked us up and we were on our way to Grandma & Grampsy's! Unfortunately, Grandma couldn't physically attend the party, but she was there via Skype/webcam. Dawson played with his fellow baby cousins; it was incredibly adorable to watch! Liam is a year older than Dawson, Lily is a month older than Dawson, and Ewan is a month younger than Dawson, so they're all pretty close in age. Lily hugged Dawson so much he started to push her away! Liam and Ewan are too cute for words! I look at Liam and think, "Wow, Dawson is going to be about that big this time next year!" The party went on till somewhat late, and by the time we got home, Dawson was ready for a bath and nighnighttime!



I didn't think his birthday being on Christmas Eve was bad until this year; I realized how hard it's going to be on him. Everyone has their traditions and we're just going to have to "squeeze" in his birthday, and that kind of sucks! I want him to have his one special day, just like everyone else has theirs.
Onto the pictures:



Birthday Boy!


Dawson on his firetruck


Dawson loved Daddy's present


D's birthday cupcakes!


B-day cupcakes


PJ, D, & Mama before our trip to the store!


What a big boy!


Cupcakes I baked for the Hall Christmas Eve party.




Me, D, & PJ before we left to Grandma & Grampsy's