Christmas 2004
This Christmas was the absolute best one with Gareth yet! Gareth was such a great age to enjoy the festivities. He was completely enthralled by Santa, we couldn’t sing enough Christmas songs, he was entranced by the tree, and he thought the whole present thing was a blast! 
We started the season with an early visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus at the Keystone offices (where Gareth’s therapists work.) <%popup(20050107-santakeystone.jpg|640|426|Mr. and Mrs. Claus with Gareth)%> We bought a real tree for a change this year and Gareth spent many an evening sitting in the recliner gazing at the tree. <%popup(20050107-tree.jpg|464|640|O Christmas Tree)%>
On Christmas Eve, Gareth got a special visit from Santa at Grandma’s house. Gareth’s eyes were as big as saucers when Santa (who is a good friend of Pop-Pop’s) came through the front door! <%popup(20050107-santapop.jpg|640|491|Santa and Gareth)%> Santa gave Gareth a special Christmas Elmo for a Christmas Eve treat and a Polar Express bell to ring each year to say that he believes in Santa. <%popup(20050107-elmoelf.jpg|383|640|An early present)%> Gareth loved his visit with Santa so much that he cried and cried when Santa had to leave to get the reindeer ready for the big night. When we got home for the night, Gareth put out cookies and milk for Santa and then pretended to sleep so that Santa would come!
The next morning Gareth was so excited to see that not only did Santa leave presents but he also left a letter for Gareth thanking him for the cookies. <%popup(20050107-letter.jpg|640|470|Daddy reads Santa's letter)%> In typical fashion, Gareth was very spoiled this Christmas. He got tons of great presents and he enjoyed spending lots of time with his family. <%popup(20050107-rody.jpg|640|500|Riding Rody)%> | <%popup(20050107-soccer.jpg|640|502|Playing with his new soccer ball)%> | <%popup(20050107-swars.jpg|640|361|Having a lightsaber duel with Daddy)%> | <%popup(20050107-pappyandgar.jpg|640|440|Enjoying time with Pappy)%> | <%popup(20050107-keeganandgard.jpg|640|514|Hanging out with Keegan)%>
Travis was off for two weeks over the holidays, so we enjoyed having lots of time together. We ventured out one morning for bowling. Gareth was able to sit in his tiger chair and to push the ball off of the ramp. He loved bowling and we can’t wait to take him again! <%popup(20050107-bowling.jpg|640|391|Bowling)%>