Buddies!

Melissa and Savannah came back in to town for Christmas, so we got to spend some more time with them!
We met them at a park and the girls got to play and us moms got to visit!
I just love seeing my lifelong friend and seeing our girls play together does my heart good!

We were spoiled by these two close visits!
We're gonna have to plan the next trip!
Maybe we can go to Washington to see them?!?

Christmas 2012

My mom and Momo came for Christmas this year!
We were so excited to have them!
Mia has been counting down for like 2 weeks.
They arrived Friday afternoon and we have been having a blast!
I had to work Saturday and Sunday so Mia got to spend lots of special time with her Mama d (Grandma) and Momo (Great Grandma!)

Christmas eve morning we played Skip-bo together.
This was really cool to me because it was Momo and Popo that taught me how to play when I was a little girl! Though I am pretty sure I wasn't as young as Mia- and that girl can play!
She strategizes and everything! The first game she won in just one round!

This year Mia decided that we should leave Santa some Rocky Road candy instead of cookies, since it is our specialty!

 Love this picture of my best mom and my best girl!

 Santa sure did come to our house!

Mia was over the moon about her gymnastics beam!

(But she was a little disappointed that Santa didn't also bring her the gymnastics bar that she asked for. 

Someday she will understand!)

 Marshall enjoyed all of the fun and excitement!

I am so not good with the camera lately!

We had the whole family over for our traditional prime rib and home made shells and cheese dinner and I hardly too any pics!

Oh well that just means I was too busy enjoying myself to take pics right?!?

We had a wonderful Christmas!

Thanks so much mom and momo for coming to be with us and for making the holiday that much more special!

We love you and miss you already!
***I made this special version of the Nail Family Tree for Momo!

 She loved it!

I envisioned it about 3 weeks before Christmas and I was able to take my vision and make it a reality!
I am quite proud of how it turned out and so pleased that Momo loves it so much!

'Twas the night before...

Merry Christmas to all,

and to all a good night!

The baby whisperer!

Never underestimate the power of Baby Einstein!

This boy can be in the worst mood and all we have to do is stick one of the Baby Einstein DVDs in.

It's like a miracle!

A life saver some days!

He has started to anticipate the scenes and even mimics the characters!

He laughs and giggles and sings along!

Gotta love it!

Santa!

We took the kiddos to see Santa tonight!
Our plan was to take them to Bass Proshop like we have done the last couple of years.
We were hoping that if we went on a Wednesday at 4:30 it wouldn't be too bad.
We got there and it didn't look too busy, we went to get in line and the elf handed us a ticket that stated we could come back to get in line at 7:30!!!!
Uummm- no thanks!
I convinced Caleb to try the mall and we happened to park at exactly the right entrance, walked in and there was only 3 people ahead of us!
Booyah!
And then Marshall didn't even cry!
Mia acted a bit apprehensive at first, but she put her brave face on and did it!
Santa made a special point of telling me how he was so pleased that Mia said "I would like..." rather then just jump in with I want or Give me. He said that she was only the 3rd child that had been polite this year. That is really a sad statement about our community. But I was very proud of my girl! She is so sweet and polite. Keep it up angel baby!
We went out to eat and were home by 7:15!
Take that Bass Proshop!

11 Months Old!

My babe is 11 months old today!

What a precious little guy he is!
He is way more mobile these days.
He just started to crawl on his hands and knees this last week.
But if he wants to get somewhere fast he reverts to his speedy inch worm!
He is really pulling himself up on lots of things!
His favorite is his piano.
We tried out Gymboree this month.
Marshall wasn't a huge fan.
He sure enjoyed playing and spending time with Mommy, but he really wasn't interested in the activities there.
So we will put that on hold and try again in a couple of months.
He continues to learn new words.
Mama, however, is not one of them :(
He says Bye Bye, Bite, yum-yums (milk), dada and daddy (of course!) and Hi.
The other day Caleb walked into the room and he said "Hi Dad!" clear as day!
Then I taught him to say Work. I would say "Marshall, where is Daddy?" and he would answer with Work.
Of course when Daddy got home I couldn't get him to say it!
He still loves to eat!
Mac n cheese and hot dogs are the new faves!
The other day I just put both on the tray of his highchair and let him go to town.

He needed a bath after that one!
He had mac n cheese in his eyelashes!
He is just the sweetest little dude I could have asked for!
He definitely completes our family!
Looking forward to his first Christmas in a few days!
Cheers to 11 months little man!
We love you so...

Mistletoe

What a difference a year makes!

2011

 2012